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^
JLH.Rii£hui
QRE^. jj^crw ^nirMiE[R^S!fa3)©H, [o.
ANNALS
OVTHB
AMERICAN PULPIT;
OE
OOmCBMORATiyE NOTICES
Of
DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN CLERGYMEN
ov
VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS,
FROM TBB BABLT SBTTLEMBNT OP TBB COVNTRT TO TBB OLOSB OP 1HB TBAR
BQBmBN HONSBKD AND FIFTT-FrVB.
WITH HISTOBIOAL INTBODUOTIONS.
BY WILLIAM B. SPRAGUE, D. D.
VOLUME m.
NEW YORK:
BOBBBT OABTBB & BBOTHEBS
tSO BBOADVAT.
1868.
Entered aooording to Aet of Congraes, in the year 1866.
Br ROBERT GARTER h BROTHERS,
in the Clerk'i Office of the Dlitriet Court of the United Statea fbr the Southern
DiatrictofNewTork.
l
Si9
PKESBTTEKIAN.
VOL. HI.
PREFACE.
The first two volumes of this work were issued somewhat
less than a year ago. Considering the peculiar character
of the work, I could not but await the public yerdict upon
it with some degree of anxiety, and now that it has been
rendered in part^ I am not disposed to dissemble the high
gratification I haye receiyed from it. That my own par-
tial friends should haye looked kindly on the effort, perhaps
I had a right to expect; but that the tone of the press
should haye been so uniformly indulgent, — ^ignoring eyen
imperfections of which I was myself painfully sensible,
after having done the best that I could, — ^was certainly
more than I could reasonably look for. I hardly need say
that I have already realized the good effect of this kindly
reception, in the increased vigour and alacrity with which
I have been able to cany forward the work.
I am indebted to several fidends, especially to the Rev.
J. L. Sibley, the present Librarian of Harvard College, for
directing my attention to a few small errors, chiefly in
respect to dates, nearly all of which have been already
corrected in the stereotype plates.
I am willing to hope that the two volumes now published
will not fall below the preceding ones in point of interest;
but of this it is for the public, and not me, to judge. Of
this at least I am certain, — ^that there has been no less of care
YJ[ PREFACE.
and yigilance in the preparation of them ; and they haye
required a much greater amount of labour, oir ing chiefly
to the fact that, in the latter case, a large proportion of the
biographical material has been necessarily gathered by
correspondence with the surviving relatives and friends of
the parties commemorated, whereas, in the former, much
the greater part of it had already been embodied in
printed documents, most of which were easily accessible.
There is one circumstance that has rendered the select-
ing of the subjects for these volumes a much more difElcult
task than for the previous ones, — namely, that the Presby-
terian Church is so much less compact than the Congrega-
tional. It does not indeed reach back so fiEur in point
of time, but it covers a much wider space ; and though I
have corresponded extensively with prominent clergymen
in the different States, with a view to make the best selec-
tion possible, I have little doubt that even their obliging
effi>rts in my behalf have left the veil upon a goodly num-
ber of names that I should have delighted to honour. And
then there are others of which I have been able, after the
most diligent search, to find out only enough to make me
regret that the ravages of time have put it out of my power
to embalm them. I hope this statement will induce those
who miss honoured or cherished names, which they may
have expected to find, to regard the omission in any other
light than as even a negative reflection on the memories of
their friends.
It will, I doubt not, occur to some that there is a dis-
proportionate relative importance given to some names in
the measure of space which is devoted to them. I am
quite aware liiat this, in one point of view, is an imper^
fection; and yet every one who reflects must perceive that
PRBPAOK. yJi
it was inseparable fh>m my general plan. I have not much
fear that any of the numerous communications with which
my Mends have honoured the work will be found too long;
but there are a few which I doubt not that others as well
as myself will wish had been longer. In one or two
instances, I have been obliged to dismiss a yery eminent
name, with a bare epitome of the character, because I have
been utterly unable to find any one whose recollections
would enable him to render a more extended testimony.
Notwithstanding the work is limited by its title to the
close of the year 1866, 1 have allowed myself occasionally
to introduce in fwtes names incidentally occurring, that
have been added to the list of the dead since that period.
They have, however, necessarily been treated so briefly,
that they still remain legitimate subjects for biography.
The numbers under the name, at the commencement
of each article, denote, so far as I have been able to ascer-
tain, the commencement and the close of the individual's
ministry. Where one has belonged successively to two
denominations, he is placed in connection with the one in
which he died. In that case, though the history of his
whole ministerial life is given, the numbers indicate only
the period of his latest ministerial connection; except in
those cases in which the denominations are more immedi-
ately allied to each other, — as for instance the different
branches of the Presbyterian family, and the Congregation-
alists ; and then the numbers, as well as the sketches, range
through the whole period of their ministry.
Notwithstanding I have mentioned, in the General Pre-
&ce, the names of several persons to whom I am largely in-
debted for biographical material, independently of the com-
memorative letters, that number has since so much increased
y^ PBEFAOE.
that I may be allowed to mention several more in connection
with the Presbyterian department, as specially, though by ,
no means exclusively, entitled to my grateful acknowledge-
ments. To Dr. Krebs, Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of
New York, to Dr. Rodgers, Stated Clerk of the Presbytery
of New Brunswick, and to Dr. Howe, Professor in the
Theological Seminary at Columbia, S. C.,- who has in his
possession the Records of the Presbytery of South Caro-
lina, and a great amount of other biographical material, I
am indebted for much statistical information, which, other-
wise, would either have been entirely wanting, or would
have lacked its present character of perfect authenticity.
Among others who have rendered me most important ser-
vice which the work itself might not at first reveal, are
the Rev. Daniel Dana, D. D., Newburyport, Mass.; Thomas
W. Blatchford, M. D., Troy, N. T.; Rev. John Forsyth, D. D.,
Newburgh, N. T.; the late Rev. William Hill, D. D., Win-
chester, Va.; the Rev. William H. Foote, D. D., Romney,
Va.; Mrs. Dr. John H. Rice, Prince Edward County, Va.;
Rev. R. H. Morrison, D. D., Cottage Home, N. C; Rev.
Thomas Cleland, D. D., McAfee, Ey.; Rev. Joel K. Lyle,
Paris, Ey.; Rev. Joseph H. Martin, Enoxville, Tenn.; J.
G. M. Ramsey, M. D., Mecklenburg, Tenn.; and Rev. F. A.
M'Corkle, D. D., Greenville, Tenn.
In the General Pre&ce I have expressed my obligation
to the Rev. Richard Webster, for the use of a large collec-
tion of valuable manuscripts in regard to the early history
of the Presbyterian Church. Those manuscripts, together
with much other valuable matter, have since been published
in an octavo volume; and, as the printing of that work
was contemporaneoufl with the revision of mine, the pub-
lisher kindly sent me the proof sheets in advance, that I
PREFAOB. i^
might avail myself of the aathor's latest corrections, I
have, however, retained my original reference, — " Webster'^i
MSS.; " but it will be understood that they are identical
with a portion of " Webster's History of the Presbyterian
Church in America."
Of the other works to which I have been more or lese^
and in some instances largely, indebted for material for
these two volumes, are Dr, Hodge's History of the Presby-
terian Church ; Dr. Foote's Historical Sketches of Virginia
and North Carolina; Dr. Davidson's History of the Pres;
byterian Church in Kentucky; Dr. Smith's Old Bedstone,
or Historical Sketches of Western Presbyterianism ; Dr.
Alfred Nevin's Churches of the Valley ; and Rev. James
H. Hotchkin's History of Western New York. All these
works possess great value, and evince extensive research.
7he three noble volumes of Dr. Foote especially, covering,
as they do, a large tract of country in which Presbyterianism
has been most at home, and made up, to a great extent, of
material on which the pall of oblivion had long rested, and
which nothing but his persevering industry could have
exhumed, justly entitle him to a high and enduring place
among the benefactors of his denomination. I must not
omit to say that I have derived important aid from Dr.
Allen's American Biographical Dictionary, the last edition
of which is so much enlarged and improved as to be almost
a new work; and from the new edition of Dr. Blake'a
Biography, in superintending which he performed his last
earthly labours.
I have stated so explicitly, in the General Preface, the
principles on which the work is constructed, that I deem
it unnecessary either to repeat or to add any thing here
on that subject. But I may be allowed to refer with satifh
Vol. in. B
X PBEFAOS
fisu^tion to that feature of it, which makes it the depository
of the treasured reminiscences of so many eminent living
persons, and which the public judgment has so unanimously
approved, — as an occasion of renewing my hearty thanks
to all, who have lent the influence of their names and their
pens in aid of my enterprise. It is to this wide and gene-
rous cooperation especially, that I have been indebted, not
less for the spirit to sustain so arduous and protracted a
course of labour, than the means necessary to a successful
result.
ALBAinr, August 5, 1857.
P.S. — Uis ptMication of this and the next volume has been delayed
several montha^ on acoowni of the embarraaaed financial condition of the
Country.
February, 1868.
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION/
The Presbyterian Ohnroh of the United States most undoubtedly be
eonsidered as of Scottish origin. From about the period of the Beyolution
of 1688, which issued in the establishment of William and Mary on the
British throne, Presbyterians began to emigrate from Scotland and the
North of Ireland to these American Oolonies ; and they quickly manifested
a desire to reproduce, in the land of their adoption, their own peculiar
institutions. As the Quakers in Pennsylyania, and the Boman Catholics
in Maryland, were the only denominations in America who, at that tim^,
extended a cordial welcome to emigrants, of other sects, it was in these
two Colonies that the earliest and largest Poresbyterian Churches were
established. The Puritan element was early introduced into the Body,
by way of New England, and contributions haye, from time to time, been
made to it from the Beformed Churches on the Continent of Europe ; but
though this may haye seryed, in some degree, to modify, it has neyer
essentially changed, its organisation.
The early history of the Presbyterian Church in this country b inyolyed
in no little obscurity, — owing principally to the fact that those who origi-
nally composed it, instead of forming a compact community, were widely
scattered throughout the different Colonies. It is eyident, howeyer, that
seyeral churches were established some time before the close of the seyen-'
teenth century. In Maryland there were the Churches of Behoboth,
Snow Hill, Upper Marlborough, Monokin and Wicomico, — the first men-
tioned of which is commonly considered the oldest, and was probably
formed seyeral years before 1690. The Church on Elisabeth Biyer, in
Yirg^nia, b supposed by some to date back to nearly the same period, but
the exact time of its origin cannot be ascertained. The Churches in Free-
hold, and Woodbridge, N. J. were constituted in 1692; and the First
Church in Philadelphia, as nearly as can be ascertained, in 1698. In New-
castle, De., in Charleston, S. C, and in some other places, Presbyterian
• Hodge'i Hiitory of the Pniliyteriftii Ohunli.— Kzvbi' OntUiie of the HiftoiT of the Pm-
Vjtflri&n Chufih.— PMker>i do.— ArtioLe <m the Hiilorr of PrwbTtoriinliin in the uidtid 8ta«h
in the BnojdopedU of ReU|dooi Knowlodire.'GTeeiileAf 'i Sketohes of the KoeleiiMttoal HitT
iorr of Meine.— MS8. from Rot. Sunnel Juller, D.D., Ber. Beniel Panay D. D,, Bot. Alena-
aer BlAlkle, Ber. J. H. Bate^ end Bot. T. 8. Child*.
xii msTosiCAL nrrBODucTKnr.
Olrareheg were planted at a yexy early period. In the latter part of 170(,
or early in 1706, a Presbytery waa formed nnder ike title of the Presby-
tery of Philadelphia, — all whose members were fi:om Sootland or Ireland,
ezoept the Bey. Jedediah Andrews, who was bom and ednoated in New
England.
In 1716, the Presbyterian Body had so £ur increased that some new
organisation was thought desirable. Aooordingly, instead of one Pres-
bytery, there were oonstitnted fonr, — ^namely, the Presbytery of Philadel-
phia, the'IVes1>ytery of Newcastle, the Presbytery of Snow Hill, and the
Presbytery of Long Island ; and, at the same time, a Synod was formed,
under the title of the Synod of Philadelphia. Shortly before this, seyeral
churches, with their ministers, in East and West Jersey, and on Long
Island, originally Oongregationalists, had oonnected themselyes with the
Presbyterian Ohuroh.
Notwithstanding the growth of the Ohurch from this period was con-
stant and rapid, it soon became manifest that the £M)t of its gathering its
ministers and members from different countries, where, to some extent,
different modes of thinking and acting on the same subjects preyaaled, was
Ukely to interfere with the general harmony of the Body. The points on
which the difference of opinion chiefly deyeloped itself, were the examina-
tion of candidates for the ministry on experimental religion, the strict
adherence to Presbyterial order, and the amount of learning to be required
of those who sought the ministerial office. These subjects were discussed
with great, and often intemperate, seal in the different Presbyteries. Two
distinct parties were now fbrmed — those who were more aealous for ortho-
doxy, for the rigid obseryance of Presbyterial rule, and for a thoroughly
educated ministry, were called the *' Old Side ;" while those who were
inore tolerant of departures from ecclesiastical order, and less particular
in respect to other qualifications for the ministry, proyided they could
haye the eyidence of yital piety, were called the "New Side" or <<New
Lights."
. In 1729, after seyeral years of diligent exertion on the part of the strict
Presbyterians, and in consequence of an oyerture drawn up and prosecuted
with great seal the year before, by the Bey. John Thompson of Delaware,
the Synod passed what was commonly called " The Adopting Act." This
Act consisted of a public authoritatiye adoption of the Westminster Con-
fession of Faith and Oateohisms, and made it imperatiye that not only
eyery candidate, but eyery actual minister of the Ohuroh, should, by
.«absoription or otherwiee, in the presence of the Presbytery, acknowledge
these instruments respeotiyely as their Oonfession of Faith. This Act had
iO encounter great exposition, especially from those ministers of the Synod,
who had come from England, Wales, and the New England Oolonies.
^ The strict Presbyterians haying thus gained their main point, the other
Bide thought themselyes entitled to be gratified in their feyourite object.
Aooordingly, in 1784, they brought an oyerture to the Synod, directing
HISTORICAL nrTRODUOTIOK. xiu
''that ftU oandidates for the minifltry should be examined diligently m
to the experienoe of a work of sanotifying graoe on their hearts, and
that none be admitted, who are not, in a jndgment of oharitj, seriona
Ohristians. ' ' Though this oyer ture was adopted nnanimonsl j, it slierwards
proyed the oooasion of great disquietude.
These two Aots embraced the fayourite objects of both parties — ^ihe
main difficulty lay in carrying them into execution. The practice of the
seyend Presbyteries was decided by the accidental circumstance of one
party or the other being the majority, and this occasioned much debate
and collision at the Synodical meetings,— each party charging the other,
and commonly not without reason, with some yiolation, in the seyeral
I Presbyteries, of the order of Synod.
In 1788, the strict Presbyterians, with a yiew to remedy what they
regarded as a serious eyil, preyailed on the Synod to pass an Act, directing
"that young men be first examined respecting theb literature by a Oom-
mittee of Synod, and obtain a testimonial of their approbation before they
can be taken on trial before any Presbytery." The Presbytery of New
Brunswick, in the face of this Synodical decision, proceeded almost imme-
diately to take Mr. John Bowland on trials, and a few weeks after licensed
him to preach. The Presbytery of Philadelphia protested against the
measure, and refused to admit Mr. R. to preach within their bounds ; and
the Synod, at their next meeting, formally annulled it, declaring that he
could not be regarded as a regular candidate. Notwithstanding this, how-
oyer, William Tennent, (the elder,) a member of the Presbytery of Phila-
delphia, publicly recognised the yalidity of Mr. E.'s licensure by admit-
ting him to his pulpit ; and when some of his congregation complained of
it to his Presbytery, he earnestly justified his. course, denied the authority
of the Presbytery in the case, and ** contemptuously withdrew"— where-
upon the Presbytery censured his conduct as *' irregular and disorderly."
This took place in September, 1789. In October following, the Presby-
tery of New Brunswick, adhering to its first offence, proceeded to orda^
Mr. Bowland to the work of the ministry ; and he continued a member of
that Presbytery until 1742, when he was dismissed to join the Presbytery
of Newcastle. All this seryed to exasperate feelings already excited, and
formed, in no small degree, the legitimate preparation for an open rupture.
It was at tills juncture that Whitefield, in 1789, paid his second yisit to
America. The great reyiyal that ensued, in connection with hb labours,
found its friends in the Presbyterian Church chiefiy with the New Side ;
while the Old Side, or the strict Presbyterian party, perceiying some really
censurable irregularities in the actiye friends and promoters of the reriyal,
were not slow to pronounce the whole a delusion. This brought on the
crisis. The controyersy waxed more and more yiolent until 1741, when
the highest judicatory of the Ohutoh was rent into two parts — ^the Old
Side constituting tiie Synod of Philadelphia,— the New Side, the Synod of
New York.
Xiv HISTORICAL INTBODUOTIOK.
Soon after tbe separation, the Synod of New York began to peroeiye the
neeessity of providing for the education of their fiUure ministers ; and
the result of their oonsultations on the subject was the establishment of
the Oollege of New Jersey. Thb institution commenced its operations in
Elisabeth town, in 1746 ; was removed to Newark, in 1747 ; and thence to
Princeton, in 1767. Meanwhile the Old Side patronised the Academies of
New London and of Newark in Delaware, under the Bev. Francb Alison
and the Rev. Alexander McDowall, and also the Academy and Oollege of
Philadelphia. The rivalship between these literary institutions served to
render more intense the mutual hostility of the two parties.
But violent as the controversy was, it was not proof against the subdu-
ing, healing influence of time. Both parties gradually became sensible
that they had acted rashly and uncharitably, and began at length to
meditate a reunion. The first overtures in that direction were made by
the Synod of New York in 1749 ; but it was nine years before the desired
consummation was reached. In 1768, mutual concessions having been
made, and the articles of union agreed upon, the two Synods were happily
united under the title of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia. At
the time of the disruption, the Old Side was the most numerous ; but
before the reunion, the New Side had become so.
. From this time, the Presbyterian Ohurch went on in as much prosperity
as could consist with the disturbed state of the country, until after the
Bevolutionary War, — when it was judged proper to enter into some new
arrangements. Accordingly, in 1786, the Synod of New York and Phila-
delphia began to take those steps for revising the public standards of the
Ohurch, which led to their adoption and establishment on the present plan.
A large and respectable Oommittee, of which Dr. Witherspoon was Ohair-
man, was appointed to ^^ take into consideration the Oonstitution of the
Ohurch of Scotland and other Protestant Ohurches," and to form a com-
plete system for the organisation of the Presbyterian Church in the United
Stotes. The result was that on the 28th of May, 1788, the Synod com-
pleted the revision and arrangement of the public standards of the Church,
and finally adopted them, and ordered them to be printed and distributed
for the government of the several judicatories. This new arrangement
consisted in dividing the Old Synod into four Synods — namely. New York
and New Jersey, Philadelphia, Virginia, and the Oarolinas, — and consti-
tuting over these, as a bond of union, a General Assembly, in all essential
particulars aflter the model of the General Assembly of the Church of
Scotland. The Westminster Confession of Faith was adopted with three
small alterations. The Larger and Shorter Catechisms were adopted with
one slight amendment. And a Form of Government and Discipline, and a
Directory for public worship, drawn chiefly from the standards of the
Church of Scotland, with such alterations as the form of our civil govern-
ment and the state of the Church in thb country were thought to demand,
completed the system.
HISTORIOAL INTBODUCnOK. ^Y
In 1801, a "Plan of Union between PresbTterians and Oongrega-
tionalista in the New Settlements " waa formed, with a liew to prerent
disagreement between the two denominations, and to &oiIitate theboodp*
oration for the support of the ministry and other Christian institutions.
This arrangement oontinned thirtj-six years ; and under it were formed
hundreds of Ohurohes in the States of New York and Ohio.
For some time preyious to 1880, it had been apparent that there were
really two parties in the Presbyterian Church, which, though not often
brought into actual collision, had occasion, sometimes, in meeting a test
question, to indicate their distinct existence. But the celebrated case of
the Rot. Albert Barnes, which occurred about that time, developed more
decidedly the opposing elements, and marked the formal commencement of
% obntroTcrsy which was destined, after a few years, to result in another
division of the Church. Of this controversy I forbear entering into any
details ; partly because it would be irrelevant to my purpose, and partly
because the controversy is too recent to form a legitimate subject for
impartial history. Suffice it to say that, after a scene of intense and pro-
tracted conflict, continued till the year 1887, the '*Plan of Union*' was
abrogated, and the four Synods of Ghenesee, (Geneva, Utica, and the West*
em Besefve, were adjudged as no longer ** constituent parts" of the Pres-
byterian Church ; and the division thus commenced was consummated the
next year. Since that period, the Presbyterian Church has consisted of
two distinct Bodies, entirely independent of each other.
In 1887, previous to the exscinding of the four Western Synods, the
Presbyterian Church contained 28 Synods, 186 Presbyteries, 2,140 min-
isters, 2,866 Churches,, and 220,567 communicants. In 1857, the Old
School Body contained 81 Synods, 155 Presbyteries, 2,411 ministers,
8,251 Churches, and 244,825 communicants. The New School Body, at
the same date, contained 26 Synods, 114 Presbyteries, 1,595 ministers,
1,679 Churches, and 189,115 communicants. The aggregate of both Bodies
is as follows: — 57 Synods, 269 Presbyteries, 4,006 ministers, 4,980
Churches, and 888,940 communicants.
Notwithstanding Presbyterianism has never prevailed extensively in
New England, it has had a distinct and independent existence there from
a very early period. The French Church in Boston, which was formed of
Huguenots, in or about the year 1687, was the first church organised on a
Presbyterian basis ; but it waa continued no longer than while their public
worship was conducted in the French language. The first Presbyterian
organisation in New England, of any permanence, dates to about the year
1718, when a large number of Presbyterians, with four ministers, migra-
ted to this country from the North of Ireland. For some time, in oases of
difficulty, the ministers and elders were wont to assemble informally, and
hold what might be called pro re nata meetings ; and occasionally, where
they were unable to reach a satisfactory result, they asked advice of the
Synod of Ireland.
Zvi mSTOBIOAL IKTROinTOTKnr.
Thia state of things oontinned without muoh modification till the year
1745, when the ministers resolvedi as preparatory to the step they were
about to take, to obserre, in connection with theb congregations, the third
Wednesday of March, as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer. On the
16th of April following, the Bey. Messrs. John Moorhead of Boston,
Dayid McGregore of Londonderry, and Balph Abercrombie of Pelham,
with Messrs. James M'Eeon, Alexander Gonkey, and James Hughes, met
in Londonderry, and being ** satisfied as to the Divine warrant, with
dependance upon God for counsel and assistance, they, by prayer, consti-
tuted themselves into a Presbytery, to act, so £ur as theb present circum-
stances will permit ihem, according to the Word of God and the Constitu-
tions of the Presbyterian Ohurch of Scotland, agreeing to that perfect
rule." This Body was called " the Boston Presbytery '* and met accord-
ing to adjournment, in that town, on the 18th of August, 1746.
There is a chasm in the Presbyterial Becords, firom the close of the year
1754 till the 24th of October, 1770. At this time, the Presbytery con-
sbted of twelve congregations, and as many ministers. At a meeting held
at Seabrook, N. H., on the 81st of May, 1775, the Presbytery resolved
to divide itself into three distinct Bodies — ^namely " the Presbytery of
Salem," "the Presbytery of Londonderry," and "the Presbytery of
Palmer ;" and the three Presbyteries, thus organised, were then formed
into a Synod, called "the Synod of New England," which held its first
meeting at Londonderry, on the 4th of September, 1776.
At Boothbay, Me., on the 27th of June, 1771, a new Presbytery was
erected, called "the Presbytery of the Eastward," — consisting of three
ministers, and four ruling elders, representing four churches. It had no
connection with the Boston Presbytery, and its origin is said to have been
in some way connected with the removal of the Bev. John Murray to
Boothbay. It never exhibited on its roll above eight ministers. Its last
recorded adjournment (now known) was " to meet at New Boston, N. H.,
on the first Wednesday of October, 1792." The only relic of this Pres-
bytery that I have been able to discover, is a curious old volume in the
possession of the Bev. Dr. Jenks, of Boston, printed in 1788, with the
following title :— " Bath-Kol. A Voice from the Wilderness. Bebg an
humble attempt to support the sinking truths of God against some of the
principal errors raging at this time. Or a joint testimony to some of
the grand articles of the Ohristian Beligion, judicially delivered to the
Churches under their care. By the First Presbytery of the Eastward."
In September, 1782, the Synod of New England, finding their numbers
considerably reduced in consequence of existing difficulties, agreed to
dissolve, and form themselves into one Presbytery, by the name of " the
Presbytery of Salem." For two succeeding years, this Presbytery met
regularly in different parts of Massachusetts Proper ; but after this, its
meetings were held only in the District of Maine. Its last meetbg was
held at Gray, September 14, 1791, at the close of which it adjourned sine die.
mSTOBIGAL INTRODUGTIOK. xvii
The Third AaBOoiate Reformed Presbjierj, afterwards called the Asso-
oiate Eeformed Presbytery of Londonderry, was formed in Philadelphia,
October 81, 1782, and held its first meeting within its own bounds, at
Londonderry, N. H., on the 11th of Pebmary, 1788. It ceased to belong
to its original denomination in 1802, and was an independent Presbytery
nntil 1809, when it was reoeired into the Synod of Albany, and has since
oontinaed under the name of the Presbytery of Londonderry.
The Presbytery of Newbnryport was formed by the concnrrent action of
the Presbytery of Londonderry and the Synod of Albany. It held its
first session in Boston, on the 27ih of October, 1826, and its last on the
20th of October, 1847,— when it became reunited to the Presbytery of
Londonderry.
The Presbytery of Oonneoticnt, consisting of sereral ministers and
churches previously belonging to the Presbytery of New York, was consti-
tuted by the Synod of New York on the 16th of October, 1850, and held,
its first meeting at Thompsonyille on the 29th of the same month.
CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX.
[On the left hand of the page tre the naniM of thoee who fonn the tnlijeoti of the work-^e
flgmi Immedietel J preeeding denote thtf period, •■ neerir •■ ma be aaoerteined, when eadi
begea hUM miniitry. On the right hand tre the nemei of those who have rendered their teetl-
monj or their opinion in regent to the eeverel efannoteii. The neniM in Itelioi denote that
the itatementa era drawn ftwn worki abeadj in eziitenoe-^thoie in Bomaa denote eommnni*
eationi noTer before pobUahed, and, in aearij eTeijinftaaoe^ epeeiaUj deeigned in thla work.]
■vBjaort. WBimw. FA«a.
168S. Fruds Makemie 1
1602. JosiasMackie Rer. I. W. K. Handy 6
1698. Jedediah Andrewi Dr.Frmthlin 10
1706. George MoNiah 18
1706. Jonathan Dickinson Mtp. J)a/M AuiiUi
Mtv. Tkomoi Fogeroft 14
1712. George GUIespie 10
1717. Robert Groaa 21
1718. William Tenoent Mw. Giorgt WkUiJUld 28
1718, 1787, James and DaTidMcGregOTe..i{«v.E.X.ParlP«r 27
1710. Ebeneier Prime S. I. Prime, D. D 80
1725. Gilbert Temient MtP. Tkoma$Prine§
PrcHdeni flasnitl JPMtfy 85
1720. John Temient Mm. GUUrt TtnnmU 41
1780. JohnMoorhead A. W. MoOlore, D. D 44
1780. Jonathan Parsons 47
1782. WilUamTennent (Second) Hon. Eliot Bmidiiiol
General J. IT. Gamming
John Woodhnll. D. D
Hon. Thomas Henderson
S. J.Forman, Esq 62
1788. Samnel Blair Pruidtnt LavUi
Pruidmi 8onm§l Finlw 62
1785. DaTid OoweU Pruidtnt Daviu 66
1786. AaronBnrr Rw.CaUh 8mUh 68
1786. Francis Alison, D. D Ri. Mew. WUliom WhU€,D.D.
President Stiles
John EwiM, D. D 78
1786. JohnElder W. B. Dewttt, D. D 77
1788. James DaTenport 80
1740. WiUiamBobbison Pmidma Drnniu
WUliamBUl,D.D
Archibald Alexander, D. D 02
1740. SsmnelFinley.D.D John Woodhull, D. D
Hon. EbMtMtr HoMord 06
1741. Samnel Bnelli D. O Henry 0aTis, D. D
Hon. Alfred Gonkling 102
1742. DaTid Bralnerd Mm. Jonathan Ednfordi 118
1742. JobnBlair/ jitumhlfB Magazino 117
1742. Gharles Beattj Dr. Franklin
G.G. Beatty^D.D 110
174S. James Sproat, D. D JtMil Qrun, D. D
Thomas Bradfbrdy Esq 125
XZ GHBONOLOGICAL INDBX.
lUBJBOn. WMUMMM.
1744. JobnKoftn 129
1746. David Boftwiok Hon.D. 8. Boardrnftn,
Hon, WUliam SmUh
Pr9fac§ to hit Trtaiiu on BapiinL . 181
1746. Jacob Green Mhbil Grtm, D, D 186
1746. Samuel DftTies Pruidont SamM FinUy 140
1747. Caleb Smith 146
1747. John Brainerd, D. D. Field, D. D 149
1747. John Rodgera,D.D Samael Miller, D. D 164
1748. Elihn Spencer, D. D Samnel MiUer, D. D 166
1748. John Miller 169
1749. Robert Smith, D. D ,Ai9mhlyU Magagint 172
1760. Samnel Kennedy S. K. Talmage, D. D 176
1764. Matthew Wilson, D. D Samnel MOler, D. D 178
1756. HnghKnox,D.b ^ 180
1766. George Dnffield, D. D George Dnffleld, D. D 186
1766. Samson Occam Rer.D. Waldo 102
1767. Henry PatUlo Mrs. Dr. J. H. Rice 196
1768. James LatU.D.D Rev. R. P. Dn Bois 199
1758. Alexander M.oWhorter, D. D Hon. Jacob Bnmet
Rev. Aaron Condict 208
1759. John Strain Archibald Alexander, D. D
Samnel Martin, D. D
C^W€tHd^t,D.D 216
1769. John Swing, D. D Samnel Miller, D. D 216
1760. John Joachim Zably, D. D Hon. E. J. Harden 219
1760. James Caldwell Nicholas Murray, D. D •• 222
1760. John Carmichael J.N, C.Qritr,D,D 228
1760. AzelRoe.D.D John McDowellJ). D 282
1761. James WaddeljD.D Hon.WUliamWirt
Rev. WiUiam Calhoon
Archibald Alexander, D. D 286
1762. David Rice Thomas Cleland, D. D "" 242
1768. Alexander Hewat, D. D Thomas Smyth, D. D
Hon. MitcheU Khig 246
1768. JohnRosbmgh Mrs. Lettice Ralston 260
1768. Patrick Allison, D. D Robert Purviance, Esq.
Matthew Brown, D. D 268
1768. David CaldweU, D. D Hon. J. M. Morehead 269
1764. WilUam Tennent (Third) IUf>,HughAliion ' 264
1764. Samnel BUir, D. D WiUiam NeiU, D. D 268
1766. Robert Cooper, D. D John Moodey, D. D 270
1767. Joseph Smith Joseph Smith, D. D 274
1767. John King, D.D David Elliott, D. D 281
1767. Charles Cnmmingi Hon. David Campbell 286
1768. John Witherspoon J). D Ashbel Green, D.D 288
1768. Thomas Reaa,D.D Hon. Kensey Johns
Rev. James Latta 801
1768. John Woodhnll, D. D John McDoweU, D. D 804
1769. HeKekiahBalch,D.D Charles Coffin, D. D 806
1772. Daniel McCalla, D. D WUliam HoliingMhtad, J). D 820
1772. Robert Davidson, D.D Robert Davidson, D. D 822
1772. James Power, D. D James Camahan, D. D 826
1778. Thomas Reese, D. D Dr. David Ramsey
Chanctlhr Jama •••••
Dr. J. n, WUhenpoon 881
1778. Nathaniel Irwin J. P. Wilson, D.D i 888
1778. Samuel Stanhope Smith,D J). LL.D. Phflip Lindsley, D. D 886
1774. Samuel Eusebins MoCorkle, D. D.. . E. W. Camthers, D. D 846
1774. John McMfllan, D. D James Camahan. D. D.. .. . * 860
1776. ThaddeusDod JUv, Cephas Dod 866
1776. John Rankin Rev. I. W. K. Handy 860
1776. William Graham Archibald Alexander. D. D 866
1776. John MoK night, D. D Geoi^e Daffleld,D. D ^1
1776. John Linn Robert Baird, D. D 876
1776. Samuel Taggart Rev. Theophilns Packard, Jr
Samuel Wfflard, D. D 877
1776. James Hall, D. D • R. H.Morrison, D.D 881
1777. Archibald Scott.. «.. 4 -. 887
OHRONOLOGIOAL INDEX
XXI
•VBJBOffS. WBinBt. FAM.
1777. Junes Fruieis AnnitTong Bar. I. Y. Brown 889
1777. Sunnel Do«k, D. D J. G. M. lUmiey, M. D.... 892
1778. John Blair Smith, D.D WiUiam HiU, D. D
Eliphalet Nott, D. D 897
1778. Oaleb Atozander Hon. OliyorK. Strong •••• 406
1779. Stephen Bloomer Baloh, D. D Eliaa Harrison, D. D 408
1780. Francis Gommins, D. D S. K. Talmage, D. D 418
1781. James DnnlH^, D. D Robert Baird. D D
Andrew Wylie, D. D 422
1781. Moees' Hogs, D. D W. S. Beid, D. D 426
1781. James Mitchel Mrs. Dr. J H. Bioe 480
1782. Samuel Garrid: R. B. McMnllen, D. D 488
1782. William Morrison, D.D Daniel Dana, D. D 486
1782. William McWliir, D. D G. G. Jones, D. D 489
1788. William Bovd John McDowell, D. D 444
1788. Joseph Glark,D.D Bey. I. Y. Brown 446
1786. Charles Nisbet, D. D Samuel MiUer, D. D 460
1786. John Durburrow BUir Mrs. Dr. J. H. Rice 469
1786. Nathan Grier Darid McConaugl^, D. D 462
1786. Aaron Woolworth, D. D Lyman Beecher, l5. D
B. S. Storrs, D. D
Calvin Golton, D. D 468
1786. Joseph Badger T M.Coole7,D.D
G. E. Pierce, D. D 478
1786. Ashbel Green, D. D J. J. Janeway, D. D
Nicholas Murray, D. D 479
1788. Darid Forter,D.D G.N. Judd.D.D
Re?. G. A. Howard 496
1787. DmryLa^ Mrs. Dr. J. H. Rice 606
1787. Ebenenr Fitch, D. D Chester Dewey, D. D
Hon. D. D. Barnard 611
1788. James Muhr, D. D Ellas Harrison, D. D
James Laurie, D D 616
1788. Joseph Patterson George Potts, D. D
William Ned, D. D 622
1788. Robert Henderson, D. D R. B. McMullen, D. D
Isaac Anderson, D. D
J. G. M. Ramsey, M D 628
1788. Asa Hillyer, D. D G.N. Judd.D.D 688
1788. John Brown, D.D Rer. R. C. Smith
S. K. Talmage, D. D 686
1789. Samuel Porter Jamos Gamahan, D. D 689
1789. James White Stephenson, D. D Rev. William Mack
James Holmes, D. D 660
1790. William Pazton, D. D David McOonaughy, D. D 664
1790. Robert Cathcart, D.D Rev. D. H. Emerson 669
1790. William Hill, D. D Rev.W.N.ScoU
A. H. H. Boyd, D. D 668
1791. Lewis Feu&leteau WQson R. H.Morrison, D.D 670
1791. Jonas Coe, D.D Hon. John Woodworth
EliphaletNott,D.D
T. W. BUtchford, M. D
Mark Tucker, D. D 676
1791. JamesTunier S L.Graham, D.D
W. S.Plnmer,D.D
Rev. J. H. Turner 681
1791. John Anderson, D. D Samuel McFarren. D. D 688
1791. James Blythe, I). D William Hill, D. D
E. D. McMaster, D. D 691
1791. Samuel Miller, D. D James Camahan,D.D
Nicholas Murray, D. D 600
1791. Archibald Alexander, D. D John Hall, D.D
H. A. Boardman, D. D
Rev. W. E. Schenck 612
1792. John Poaga Campbell, M.D Hon.C. S, Todd 626
1792. Matthew Lyle Drvy Lai^y, D. D.. —
.r#.*.^^#««*.
FRANCIS MAKEMIE*
1688—1708.
Vbanoib Makxmis was bom m the neighbourhood of Bathmelton, Done-
gal Ooonty, Ireland ; baft the date of his birth ia not known. It is sup-
posed that he prosecnted his aoademieal, if not his theological, course, at
one of the Scottish Uniyersities. All that is known of his early religions
exercises is that he became hopefully pions at the age of fourteen, chiefly
through the instrumentality of an excellent school-master, under whose
instruction he was placed. He was introduced by his pastor, the Bey.
Thomas Drummond, to the Presbytery of Laggan, in January, 1681, and was
licensed by the same Presbytery some time before the dose of that year.
In 1678, application was made to that Presbytery, by a Captain Archi-
bald Johnson, for assistance in procuring a minister for Barbadoes ; and in
Peoember, 1680, Colonel Steyens, from Maryland, made a similar applica-
tion in behalf of that Colony. Mr. Makemie was designated as a suitable
person to undertake this mission ; and, haying consented to do so, he receiyed
ordination, tine titulo^ with a yiew to coming to America. He preached
for a while at Barbiidoes; but how long does not appear. He was also, for
some time, in Somerset County, Md., and is supposed to haye been the
founder of the church in Snow Hill. In this latter place his memory has
always been gratefully cherished ; and there are still many traditions there,
illustratiye of the good work which he performed, and tiie reyerence with
which he was regarded.
Mr. Makemie was married about the year 1690, to Naomi, the eldest
daughter of William Anderson, a wealthy merchant of Accomac County,
Ya. By his marriage he became possessed of considerable property, so
that he was afterwards quite mdependent in his circumstances. His resi-
dence from this time was in Yir^ia. In connection with his professional
duties, he seems, for a time, to haye carried on mercantile business; and
there is a record of seyeral suits which he instituted about the year 1690,
to recoyer debts which were contracted in his commercial transactions.
In 1691, Mr. Makemie made a yisit to England, and returned either the
same year, or the beginning of the next. In July, 1692, he was yisitedby
the celebrated (George Keith, who had separated from the Society of Friends,
and was trayelling in the Southern Proyindes, with a yicw to promulgate
and giye currency to his peculiar yiews. Haying seen a Catechbm written
by Makemie, he professed to consider it as containing yery graye errors ;
and the ayowed object of his yisit was to endeayour to expose and refiite
them. Makemie declined a public discussion with Keith, from an appre-
hension that his fiilse reasonings and show of learning would mislead and
injure many who might be present. Keith then wrote an examination of
the Catechism, charging the author with " denying or wholly oyerlooking
our need of the influences of the Holy Spirit, and of running to the Pope
and Church of Bome." Not long after this, Makemie issued from the press
• Webftoi's M8S.-«mitli>8 Hist. K. T.— IOUm's Lift of Ro^goi.-apenoe'i Letton*—
Bodg^i Bill. Pnsb. Ohuxdi.
Vol m. 1
2 PRESBTTERIAK.
at Boston << An Answer to G^rge Keith's Libel on a Oateohism, published
by Francis Makemie." It was recommended bj Increase Maiher, and sey-
eral other leading clergymen in Boston, as <■ the work of a Beyerend and
jndieioos minister."
In October, 1699, Mr. Makemie obtained a formal license to preach,
agreeably to the requirements of the Toleration Act, — ^haying preyiously
received a certificate of his qualifications at Barbadoes. There is a tradi-
tion that, through the influence of some of the clergy of the Established
Ohurch, he was arrested and carried to Williamsburg, to answer for the
alleged irregularity of preaching without a license ; and that he made so
fayourable an impression on the Governor, that he immediately became his
friend, and not only licensed his dwelling-house as a place of worship, but abo
gave him a general license to preach any where within the limits of the Colony.
In this same year, he published at Edinburgh a pamphlet entitled ** Truths in
a new light, in a Pastoral Letter to the Reformed Protestants in Barba-
does;" which contains an able and earnest vindication of the Non-conformists.
Mr. Makemie was, at this period, at once abundant and successful in his
labours ; and his heart was much set on procuring from the mother country
a number of competent persons to engage in the work of the ministry in
Maryland and Virginia. He mode preparations for a voyage to England in
the summer of 1708 ; but was prevented by some unexpected occurrence
from carrying out his purpose. He went, however, the next year, and was
absent nearly a twelve month. He visited London, and made arrangements
for the supply of the congregations with evangelical clergymen ; and at
least two ministers from Ireland accompanied him on his return. During
his stay in London, he published a work entitled ** A plain and loving Per-
suasion to the inhabitants of Virginia and Maryland, for promoting towns
and co-habitation." He notices it as an unaccountable humour, that, in
these Provinces, no attempts were made to bmld up towns ; iemd one of the
objections to it he supposes to be, that, if there were towns, there would
be ordinaries, and that would lead to drunkenness. His answer to this is,
that ** the giving away of liquor makes drunkards — ^if there were ordinaries,
liquor could only be obtained by purchase — ^if there were towns, there would
be stocks, and sots would be placed in them.'*
The two ministers who returned with Mr. Makemie were John Hampton*
and George McNish. In the autumn of 1706, we find Mr. Makemie before
the County Oourt of Somerset, endeavouring to procure the requisite certi-
ficates for the unmolested exercise of their ministry; for though, when he
began his labours there, some twenty years before, there was the fullest reli-
gious liberty in Maryland, the Ohurch of England had become the Estab-
lished Ohurch in 1692, and it was therefore necessary that these gentlemen
should obtain a license in order to the safe and quiet exercise of their min-
isterial fdnctions. The application in their behidf met with strong opposi-
tion, but was finally referred to the Governor, who decided in their &vour.
Not long after Mr. Makemie's return from Europe, the Presbytery of
Philadel|Aiia waa formed ; but whether this took place in the year 1706, or
. •It is notikiKmii whether Joair Havptos wm bom in Seotbud or Ireland. He wee called
to Snow Hmiln Maicb, 1707, and was « Inaonnted" by his Mend MoNish. He was for ft
Ions time aiBieted with'ill healthy and in 1717, made n visit to his nalive oonntiy, in the hope
thsi it might eontribate to his restoration) bnt it teems to have been to little pvrpose, as he
asked and obtained leave ^ the Synod, in the aatnmn following, to demit his pastoral shaige
on aeooont of his eontinoed indisposition. Ee died sometime before Febnary, l72l«
FRANCIS MAKKMTK. 3
sk'ihe close of 1706, it is impossible now to detennine, on acooimt of a
defeot in the ProsbyteriAl Beoords. The ministers who formed' this Pres-
bytery, or nnited with it previondy to December, 1706, were Francis
Makemie, G^rge McNirii, John Hampton, Samael Davis,* John Wilson,t
Nathaniel Taylor,t and Jedediah Andrews. Mr. Makemie was Moderator
of the Presbytery in December, 1706.
In Janoaiy, 1707, Mr. Makemie and his friend and fellow labonrer, the
Ser. John Hampton, stopped a few days in New York, on their way to
New England. Lord Combnry, the Deputy Gtovemor, hearing of the arri*
Tal of these strangers, invited them to the castle to dine with hiin. No
preparadon had then been made for either of them to preach, nor was there
any regular Presbyterian congregation in the city. After dining with the
OoTcmor, Mr. Makemie was invited by some of the citisens to preach on
the ensuing Sabbath; and he consented to do so. Without his knowledge,
application was made to the GkiYemor for permisnon for him to preach in
the Dutch church ; but the answer was promptly in the negatiye.. When
the Sabbath came, he preached in the house of one Willian^ Jackson, on
Pearl street, and baptised a child. Mr. Hampton preached on the same
day at Newtown, L. I., to a regular congregation, which had already
oonformed to the requirements of the Act of Toleration. Mr. Makemie
remained in New York on Monday, and went the next day to Newtown,
intending to preach there on the day following. Immediately on his arrival,
both these ministers were arrested on a warrant signed by Lord Opmbury,
charing them with havbg ** taken it upon them to preach in a private
house,' without having obtained any license for so doing ; which is directly
contrary to the known laws of England:" — and, as they were reported to
have "gone into Long Island with intent there to spread their pernicious
doctrine and principles, to the great disturbance of the Church by law
established, and of the government of this Province," the Sheriff was
directed to bring the bodies of both of them to Fort Anne. The next day,
(Wednesday,) they were taken by a circuitous route through Jamaica to
New York, where they wer^ carried before the Oovemor, and, by his order,
imprisoned ; and, in consequence of the absence of the Chief Justice, they
oontmued there nearly two months. At the end of that time, they were
brought before that officer by a writ of habeas carpus^ and admitted to
bail; though no bill was found by the Gtrand Jury against Mr. Hampton,
as he had not preached in the city, — ^and he was thei^ore discharged. In
June following, Mr. Makemie returned from Virginia to New York to
stand his trial; <<in the oourse of which," says Dr. Miller, "it is. difficult
•to say whether he was most conspicuous for his talents as a man, or for his
•Baxuml Davzi wm VBiidiiig in DdftWBn tf mdj tf 1692, for at that tinM, G«onn K«tth
'" '" - itlMdataof UiAiriTiJIiitliiaocmotiyhMiioil •• - —
1706 or 'OS, mwiiidi, WM the ehaidMi jthuitod
orthowlnthciriaiBMdIaitoYiaiiiltT. Ha flnaUy raMaoM Hr. Hampton tf lolnfftar of
vblied fifattt Imi tlM data of bto airiTil In thia ocmntey hM not been Moc^^ Thonnoof
imnT'
I lalMmia mm 1706 or '06, onwudi, wm the ehaidMi idaDtod bj Mr. Makwiite In Untvland,
tlMMlnth«lrlniBMdlai«TlainltT. j-. .. ^ . . , y^
HIlL Md dkd In theiammnr of 1726.
t JOnr WiLSOV la lappoMd to baro boon a natlro of Scotland. Am oarlj m 17QS, ba
In tbo ooart-bonao at Howoaftle, Do., but romainad thore for onlj a abort time. Ibo nozt
yaar, ho ratmbod, to tho dlawtiifaotlon of a portion of tho poopla. Bvt ba aaana iiot to baTO
aattynadthapMtoiBlialatlonto thataongncation. In 1708, tha Pnabytair dliaatad him to
piaaah altaniatalj at Kawaaatla and Wbiia Cut. In 1710, ba aaaaad praabbmc at Fawaaatla,
and probably daTotadblawbolatima to WbitaOUy.tfllbiadaathwblohoaonTad in 1712. Ha
aondoatad-iiartlj at laaat— tba aoRoapoDdanda of tha PreabTtai7 with Sootland.
• I HAfKOxaL Tatlob aama to tUa aoontrr Drom fiootlaad with bla ooiuENgatSoi
,and»aataad
la Uppar Haribonm^, Md., aboat tha yaar 1690. Both biatory and tnUtion aianaaiij rilanl
4 PRESBTTERIAK.
dignity and piety as a xmnister of the Gospel." The result of the trial
was an acquittal by the jury. But the court would not discharge him from
his recognisance till they had obliged him to pay all the fees of his prose-
cution, which, together with his expenses, amounted to little less than three
hundred dollars.
Soon f^ter his liberation, Mr. Mokemie preached again in the church in
which the French were allowed to worship— his sermon was printed, and
another great excitement was produced ; insomuch that the Oovemor issued
a new process, and employed his officers, during the whole of one Sabbath,
to arrest and confine him again, with a view to another trial. He had,
however, meanwhile, made his escape from the Province, so that the attempt
was unsuccessful. He seems to have pursued his journey to New England ;
as he addressed a letter to Lord Oombury from Boston, in July, 1707,
expostulating with his Lordship for thus making him the object of a pro-
tracted persecution. This is the only Iptter of Makemie's that has been
published; though there are two others, addressed to Dr. Increase Mather
in 1684 and 1685, preserved in the archives of the Massachusetts Histori-
cal Society.* An account of this whole affair, supposed to have been writ-
ten by Makemie, or at least under his superintendence, was publbhed at
the time, and was republished at New York, in 1756.
Mr. Makemie, after his release from confinement, on being admitted to
bail, attended the sessions of Presbytery on his way to Virginia, and
preached, agreeably to previous appointment. This was the last meeting
of Presbytery which he ever attended; though it appears from the record
of the next meeting that he had, in the mean time, obeyed an order of Pres-
bytery to write to the Bev. Alexander Golden of Oxnam, Scotland, (fsther
of Lieut. Governor Golden,) to endeavour to persuade him to come to this
country, with special reference to taking the pastoral care of the people in
and about Lewistown, De.
Mr. Makemie died at his residence in Virginia, in the summer of 1708,
leaving a widow and two daughters. One daughter survived him less than
a year, and her mother quidriy followed her. The other daughter was
married tea Mr. Holden of Accomac, and died without issue, in 1787,
leaving a large property, part of which she bequeathed to the support of
the Gospel and the relief of the poor. Makemie himself also made liberal
bequests to charitable objects, and distributed his valuable library among
his fi&mily, and two or three other friends. An original portnut of him was
destroyed in the burning of the house of the Bev. Dr. Balch of George-
town, D. G.
ViHiat gives Makemie his grand distinction is, that he was undoubtedly
the first regular and thorough Presbyterian minister in this country; and
he may justly be regarded as the father of the Presbyterian Ghurch. His
influence in the region in which he chiefly exercised his ministry, was exten-
sive and powerful. Though no particular testimony remains concermng
him from any contemporary writer. Dr. Miller, upon the authority of some
venerable men of the generation immediately succeeding him, speaks of
him as *' a man of eminent piety, as well as strong intellectual powers, and
an uncommonly fascinating address."
* Sinoe thk sketdi wm writteD, theio letiexB havv been prioted in thft Hlitoiy of the Fm-
bjterian Ohuob, hj the Bar. Blehaid Webitor.
JOSIAS MAOKIX.
JOSIAS MACKIE.
1692—1716.
PROM THE REV. I. W. K. HANDY.
PoBTSKomrHy Ya., February 26, 18o7.
Bey. and dear Broiher: I regard myself as quite fortanate in being
able, after some considerable search, to famisb you even with a few items,
sufficiently authentic, to redeem from uncertainty a name which was begin-
nbg to be pronounced as a sort of myth. It has long been admitted by
those fiunilUir with the old Becords of our Ohurch, that a Presbyterian
minister of the name of '< JlfocA^y," was labouring at an early period, some-
where on EUzabeth Biver in Virginia; but there has scarcely been a
oonjecture in relation to his attainments, labours, or eyen the length of
time ho was located on the Biver. Some, indeed, have suggested that he
was probably a Scotchman; and as his name does not appear in the body
of the Minutes, it has been thought that he could not have been in regular
connection with the '* Mother Presbytery." It is true that the particulars
which have now come to light are very meagre ; but they are not without
interest ; and will, no doubt, be received with great satisfaction, by all who
would trace out the small beginnings of the Presbyterian Ohurch in the
United States.
The only item of history heretofore found concerning this ancient
minister, appears in the Minutes of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, published
by the Presbyterian Board. During the sessions of that judicatory, in
September, 1712, '' a complaint of the melancholy circumstances Mr. John
Macky, on Elizabeth Biver, Virginia, labours under, being made by Mr.
Henry,* the Presbytery was concerned. And Mr. John Hampton saying that
he designed to write to him on an affair of his own, the Presbytery desired
him to signify their regard to and concern for him." We learn nothinjg
from this record, save the fact that Macky was living on the Biver ; that he
was in melancholy circumstances ; and tibat he had the cordial sympathy
of the members of Presbytery ; with some of whom, at least, he was on
terms of special intimacy and friendship.
It had often occurred to me that if access could be had to the Becords of
Norfolk Oounty, something more might be learned of this early minister.
It was in this way, I remembered, that much valuable information had been
obtabed concerning Makemie. Accordingly, as soon after my settlement
in Portsmouth as circumstances would allow, I obtained permission of our
obligbg clerk, to search all the old files and registers. I had been
examining but a short time, before, much to my gratification, I found
* JoHV BLavBt vai ordained by the Preibyteir of DnbUn, and oame to Marrland in 1709,
liaTiog been biTlted, on the death of Makemie, to oe h!i ivoeesKir. He wu admitted a memb^
of Pieelwrtcry in 1710 $ and the next year beeame pastor of the ehnroh at Rehoboth, Va. He
died in 1717. He waa married in 1090 to a danrhter of 8ir Bobert King* the agent of Man^-
laod, and the ividow of Colonel Tiaoeis Jenktaf. He had two ions,^12obef f J^nkUu, who
redded in SomerMt, and waa Jndge of the ProTlnoial Ooort in 17M, and JtfJha, who was a
CUonel. and a member of the Hooae of Delentea for Worooiter Connty. BIr. Heniy had a high
lepvlaaon ai a eitisen and a divine. He ImI a large manuieript Toliime, onftraing the leading
doetriaee of the Weetmineter Confcirion of Faith.
g PBESBTTEBIAir.
Maokie's name indexed* This led to the diBOOveiy of his recorded oaths ;
and, afterwards, of hia will, — first as transcribed in the " Will Book ;"
and then the original docnment, among the files, signed by his own hand*
It appears from these yarions sources, that the Boy. Jobias Maokix
was among the earliest of the Presbyterian ministers who came to America.
He was here as early as 1692 ; — ^the first notice I have fonnd of him, bear-
mg date, June 22,.of that year. We have no recorded notice of Makemie,
earlier than February 14, 1690 ; and we should yet have been in darkness
as to the probable year of his migration to this country, but for the dis-
covery in the Massachusetts Historical Library, of two letters written from
Yirginia in 1684 and 1686. As it is true that Makemie was labouring on
the Eastern shore of Maryland, in South Carolina, and in Yirginia, in all,
some seven or eight years prior to the appearance of his name in the
Records of Accomac County, so also there is nothing improbable in the
supposition that Mackie may have been some time in America, before taking
the oath of fidelity, &c., in Norfolk County. It was my original impression
that Mackie might have crossed the Atlantic with Makemie, or very soon
after him. But, upon reflection, I can find nothing to sustain this opinion ;
and I now think it more probable that he came to America soon after
Makemie's visit to Elisabeth Biver, in May, 1684 ; where he found a ** poor
desolate people," mourning the loss of their "dissenting minbter from
Ireland," whom the "Lord had been pleased to remove by death," the
summer before. It had been the great aim of this persevering and active
servant of God to search out localities, to which he could invite ministers
from his own country ; and it is quite probable that, after supplying this
field for a time, he gave place to his countryman, Mackie; whom he could
now conscientiouBly advise to settle among such friends as "Colonel Anthony
Lawson, and other inhabitants of Lower Norfolk County." According to
this view — ^which I am well persuaded is correct — ^he was, bdeed, the
iucce98or of Maokemie, on Elisabeth Biver ; though not, as imagined by
some, in 1712, gubsequently to the death of that great man.
On the 22d of June, 1692, the Bev. josias Mackie appeared before two
magistrates, — Thomas Butt and James Wilson, — and by formal oath,
renounced all connection with the Boman Catholic Church ; and declared
his approbation, according to law, of the " Articles of Beligion," with cer^
tain exceptions, as allowed in the case of Dissenters. The oaths, as
preserved upon the County Becords, are in the following words, namely : —
"I, Jobias Maokis, do solemnly and sincerely, in the presence of God,
profess, testify, and declare that I do believe that, in the sacrament of the
Lord's Supper, there is not any transubstantiation of the elements of bread
and wine into the body and blood of Christ, at, or after, the consecration
thereof, by any person whatsoever ; and that the invocation or adoration of
the Virgin Maty, or any other saint, and the Sacrifice of the Mass, as they
are now used in the Church of Bome, are superstitious and idolatrous ; and
I do solemnly, in the presence of God, profess, testify, and declare that I
do make this Declaration, and every part thereof, in the plain and ordinary
sense of the words read unto me, as they are commonly understood by
English Protestants, without any evasion, equivocation, or mental reserva-
tion whatsoever, and without any dispensation granted me, for this purpose,
by the Pope, or any authority or person whatsoever, or without thinking
that I am, or can be, acquitted before God or man, or absolved of this
JOSIAS MAOKIE. ff
deobuTftiion, or any port thereofi alfthongli' the Pope or any person, or
persons, dr power whatsoeyer, should dispense with or annnl the sam^ior
declare ihat it was null and yoid from the beginning.
**Jo8iAS Maokib.
"I do fiurUier, as a minister of the Oospel, deolare my approbation of,
and do snbsoribe unto, the Articles of Religion mentioned in the statute
made in the thirteenth year of the reign of the late Queen Bliiabeth ; except
the thirty*fourth, about the traditions of the church; the thirty-fifth, con-
doming homilies ; the t&irty-sixth, of consecration of bishops and minis-
ters; and the words of the twentieth article, yii: the church hath power to
decree rights and ceremonies, and imfoee, I say, I do hereby deolare my
approbation of, and subscribe, the aforesidd Articles of Religion, excepting
above, expressed by act of Parliament. Jobiab Maokix."
On the same day, Mackie took the oath of fidelity; and receiyed permis-
sion to preach at certain designated places. This oath is as follows : —
" I do sincerely promise and swear that I will be fidthfol, bear true slle-
giance to their Majesties, Song William and Queen Maty — so help me God.
"I do swear that I do from my heart, abhor, detest, and abjure, as
impious and heretical, that damnable doctrine and position,^ that princes,
excommunicated or depriyed by, on any authority of the See of Rome,
may be deposed, or murthered by their subjects, or any whatsoeyer ; and I
do declare that no foreign princes, person, prelate, state, or potentate,
hath or ought to haye any power, jurisdiction, superiority, pre-eminence,
or authority, ecclesiastical or spiritual, within this realm — so help me GM.*'
There is eridence that Mat^e was no drone. As soon as he had obtained
permission to preach, he selected three different places at which he might
regularly conduct public worship. These were many miles apart, in differ-
ent directions, on the riyer; and were, no doubt, yisited at such interyals,
as brought into frequent requisition the serrices of a choice *' riding horse,"
and his "great riding coat;" both of which are carefully remembered in
his will. These seyeral appointments were held in " a house at Mr. Thomas
lyy's, in Eastern Branch; a house belonging to Mr. Richard Phillpot, in
Tanner's Greek precincts; and a house belonging to Mr. John Roberts, in
the Western Branch." On the 18th of Noyember, 1696, he certifies that
he had selected another "place of meeting, for preaching the (Gospel ;"
which was at the house of Mr. John Dickson, in Southern Branch.
It is probable that Mackie, like his cotemporary Makemie, was, to a con-
siderable extent, employed as a planter and merchant. It is certain, at
least, that he owned "one hundred and fifty acres of land, lying and being
in Princess Anne County, near the Back Bay;" and as it is stated in the
will, that this was "the remainder of a tract of land, purchased of Oapt.
Prancis Mooro," it is to be presumed that he had once owned a &rm of
much larger dimensions, and which, perhaps, he had recently sold, that the
proceeds might be sent to his relatiyes in Ireland. He appisars, also, to
haye been possessed of a "yaluable stock of horses, which he kept at the
sea-side." Prom this stock, he bequeaths eight choice mam to yarioua
friends; and giyes his "riding horse, bridle, and saddle, to Thomas Butt»
son of Thomas Butt, deceased."
I suppose Mackie to haye been a merchant, from the yarious debts due^
him, as mentioned in the will, and from the character of yarious items
referred to. On the 19th of May, 1697, he was fortunate in a suit agunst
g PBESBTTERIAN.
I
the (Bfltate of George Newton, wlio waa indebted to him in a bond for £40.
Vo#« tbia, he waa allowed, by an arbitration, 5228 Iba. of tobaooo.
Yariooa aiuna were dne him from merohanta in London, — probably for
tobacco which he had receiyed in payment for goods: all of which money
is devised to the children of his sisters in Ireland. To Elikabeth and John
Wishard, and William and Mary Johnson, he bequeathed all his " new
goods, both wooUing, and linning," with certain exceptions, *< to be equally
divided between them; and the said Wishards to have their parts, imme-
diately after his decease, and the said Johnsons, when they shall come of
age, or married." To Richard Batt, he gives his "great riding coat, with
twenty yards of brown linniog that is in the chest of goods."
A library is not always the test of one's scholarship ; but it is qmte
unlikely that a Presbyterian minister, in the seventeenth century, would
have brought to the wilds of America a cumbrous load of books, nmply
for the sake of owning them. The several references which are made in
the will to this property, indicate that Maokie's library must have been
just such a one as would be valuable to a well educated divine. " I give,"
says he, "my more scholastic books, of learned languages, as Latb, Greek,
Hebrew, to be equally divided between Mr. Henry, Mr. Hampton, and Mr.
Mackness,* non-conforming minbters, at Pokamoke, or thereabouts." For
the proper disposal of the rest of his books, he left a paper of "directions,"
and requests his executors " well and truly to observe" them. Mr. Rich-
ard Butt is requested to attend to the payment of certain debts ; and as a
remuneration for his services, his "will and desire" waa, "that the said
Richard Butt have a good portion of his English good books."
It is difficult to say whether Mackie was, or waa not, a member of the
Mother Presbytery. It is true that his name does not appear in the Records ;
nor is any mention made of his church in the body of the Minutes. In a
letter, however, addreaaed " to the Rev. Presbytery of Dublin," and recorded
in the Letter^Book — dated September, 1710, the "small congregation at
Elizabeth River" is recognised as being within the bounds of Presbytery;
and it is farther stated that this congregation, with various others, in Mary-
land, Pennsjrlvania, Jersey, and New York, " make up all the bounds, from
which there were any members." Yacanciea are spoken of; but Elizabeth
River could not be one of them, — aa it is known that Mackie waa there
until 1716. Another letter, of the same date, addressed to the Synod of
Glasgow, speaks of ten members in the Provinces ; but, in the specifica-
tion, Virginia is not mentioned. Now, aa the church on Elizabeth River is
mentioned in the first letter among the churches having members ; and aa
we know that Mackie was in connection with that church in 1710, — ^is it
not probable that the Virginia church, being at so great a distance from
each of . the two places of meeting — Philadelphia and Newcastle — ^was
overlooked, in the count ? The probability is that Mackie and his church
were regarded as being in connection with the Presbytery; but such would
be the " great toil and labour, and great difficulty — by reaaon of [his] great
distance from" the place of meeting, tiiat he found it imposaible to attend;
and as his difficulties were well known to the brethren, he waa not called
to account, as waa the Rev. Samuel Davis ; who, tiiough comparatively con-
venient, was frequently ahient. If fthia were so, then his name would not
appear in the Minutes, aa no list of absentees waa kept. It is at leaat cer-
«Geaenll7 ipcit MoNSih.
JOSIAS XAOKIE. g
tain from the notioe taken of Maislde by the Presbytery, and the deep aym-
pathy manifeeted towards him, nnder Us **melanoholy oirennistanoes" — as
well as from the duposiUon which he made of his " more scholastic books,"
that some special intimacy existed ; and that ho was known and recognised
with more than a casual interest. What those *' melancholy cironmstances*'
were, we cannot determine; but, in the absence of a better supposition,
and, with our present dim light, — it is not unreasonable to suppose that
they may have been closely connected with, and afforded some painful rea-
son for, his continued absence from the meetings of the Presbytery.
The question in relation to the place of Mackie's natiyity has been
agitated with no little interest ; — some contending, from the name, that he
was from Scotland; and others strenuously urging that he was a naUye of
Ireland. The will throws all the light on this subject that we need. He
was the son of ''Mr. Patrick Mackie, sometime of St. Johnstone, in the
County of Donegal, of the Elingdom of Ireland.*' At the time of his
death, there were yet living his ''three sisters, Mary, Margaret, and
Rebecca.'* In his will, he directs that " all the remaining part of his
money, whidi is in ready cash, in Yirgiuia, should be equally divided "
between these sisters; and he wishes that it may be transmitted "in bills
of exchange, at his own cost and charge, direct to such person or persons
as his executors should think best, m the city of London; and from thence,
to Mr. John Harvey, of Londonderry, merchant, and from him transmitted
to the children " of his three sisters.
Mackie was an unmarried man ; and, as neither wife or children are
mentioned in the will, it is more than probable that he was an old
bachelor.
It is worthy of note that the name of this early Presbyterian divine was
not " John Macky," as heretofore written, but Jonas Mackie. As I have
already stated, I have had the pleasure of examining the original wUl, as
signed by his own hand. The first name, — Jonas — ^is written in a large,
bold hand. The Mackie is also large ; but it bears evident marks of having
been written in extremis^ and without much control of the pen.
The Bev. Josias Mackie died sometime between the 7th and the 16th day
of November, 1716. The will is dated on the 7th, and was proyed on the
16th. From these dates and the date of his first oath— June 22d, 1692, —
it is certain that he had been living on Elizabeth River, not far from a
quarter of a century.
I am not able to communicate any thing concerning the labours of
Mr. Mackie. Something valuable may yet come to light. It is certain,
howeyer, that he was a good man, a true Presbyterian, — ^bold, active, and
laborious. With the care of a farm and a store, he found time to preach at
four places of meeting ; and in prospect of death, he leayes this solemn and
mteresting record: — "Being heartily sorry for my sins past, and most
humbly desiring forgiveness of the same, I commit my soul to Almighty Ood,
trusting to receive full pardon, and free justification, through the merits of
Jesus Christ." I am, my dear Sir,
With great respect and friendship, truly yours,
ISAAC W. K. HANDY.
ToL. m.
10 P^SBYTEBIAK.
JEDEDIAH ANDREWS *
1698—1747.
JiDXDiAH Andrews, son of Captain Thomaa Andrews, was born at
Hingham, Mass., July 7, 1674, and was baptised by the Bey. Peter Hobart,
five days after. He was the youngest but one of ten children. He was
graduated at Harvard College in 1695. In oonsequenoe of the sohismatio
influence of Oeorge Keith among the Sooiety of Friends in Philadelphia,
the way was opened for the oommenoement of religious* services there, by
Baptists. Presbyterians, and Episcopalians. There were mne Baptists and
a few Independents in the town. After the ** Barbadoes Company " gave
up their store, the building was used by the two denominations in common,
whenever the services of a minister could be procured.
The Bev. John Watts, a Baptist minister, began, by request, to officiate
at regular intervals, and the Bev. Dr. Clayton, an Episcopal clergyman,
entered into an amicable correspondence with him to effect a union with the
National Establishment. In the summer of 1698, Mr. Andrews, having
been- licensed in New England, went to Philadelphia, and Mr. Watts and
his firiends, feeling uneasy at what they regarded as coldness on the part of
their Episcopal brethren, proposed to Mr. Andrews, that he, with his in&nt
oongrcMition, should unite with them, and that the worship should be con-
ducted oy ministers, in good standing, of either body, as might be conve-
nient, and both denominations should join in it. Some negotiation on the
subject was attempted, but it e&ded in nothing satisfactory to any body
concerned ; but rather served to put the two denonunations at a greater
distance from each otiier.
Mr. Andrews was ordained in Philadelphia, probably in the autumn
of 1701 ; for at that time commences his record of baptisms and marriages.
A Mr. Talbot, Church missionary at Burlington, writing to the *' Venerable
Society for propagating the Gospel in foreign parts,*' says, — **The Presby-
terians here come a great way to lay hands on one anotiier, but, «lter all,
I think they had as good stay at home, for all the good they do. . . In
Philadelphia one pretends to be a Presbyterian, and has a congregation to
which he preaches."
In 1704, Mr. Andrews and his congregation left the <' Barbadoes Store "
to worship in the new edifice they had erected in Buttonwood [now Market]
Street. Five adults were baptised in 1706, and four in 1706.
The church is said to have been in some sense Congregational, but it was
represented by elders in Presbytery from the first. Mr. Andrews was
punctual in his attendance on every meeting, and never fitiled to be accom-
panied by an elder.
In 1707, the Presbytery directed each minister to read and comment
upon a chapter in the Bible every Lord's day, <' as discretion and circum-
stances of time and place would admit." All the ministers except Mr.
Andrews complied, and, in 1708, it was '< recommended to him to take into
serious consideration tiie reading of a chapter, and making a comment on
the same ; " but there is no evidence that he ever fell into the practice. A
• Webftor'i HSS.— Hodge's Hiit. Fz«ib. Cbnreli.
JEDSDIAH AHBBBWS. H
Strong pr^adieo prerailed agamst it in New EngUnd, where he had been
ednoated, m it was eonsidered an approximation at least to iBpisoopal naage ;
and Hr. Andrews' relnotanee in the oase was no donbt to be set down as a
prejudioe of education.
It is evident from tiie record of his baptisms that he mnst have per-
formed, at different times, a considerable amount of nussionarj labour.
HopeweU, Olouoester, Burlington, Amboy, and Staten Islsnd, all seem to
have been in turn favoured witii his occasional ministrations.
He was also the Recording Clerk of the Presbytery and of the Synod, as
long as he lived. He conducted most of their correspondence, especially
with New England, and was considered as signally gifted in bringbg to a
successful termination angry disputes, both in congregations and among
individuals.
There is a tradition that he gave up his Independency in 1729, and
became thoroughly Presbyterian. This tradition, however, seems to be
rendered somewhat doubtful by the &ct, that it was just at that time
that his congregation were asking aid from Boston to enlarge their place of
worship. And, in addition to tiiat, nothing of the kind is even hint^ at
in a letter which he addressed to Dr. Oolman of Boston, the same year,
asking advice as to his duty in relation to the ''Adopting Act." " As to
affairs here,'' he says, '* we are engaged in the enlargement of our house,
and, by the assistance we had from Boston, I hope we shall go on oomfort-
ably with that work."
]bi September, 1788, he preferred a request to the Synod that he should
be allowed an assistant in the ministry. The request was unanimoiuly
granted, on condition that '' sufficient provision should be made for his hon-
ourable muntenance, during his life among them." This was subsequentiy
modified, the better to meet the views of the congregation, and they were
allowed to caU an assistant. But the Synod directed tiiat those' who dbsired
an assistant should not diminish, but rather increase, their subscriptions for
Hr. Andrews, because the existing subscription was scanty; that no part
of what was already subscribed should be idienated from him, and tiiat all,
the monthly collections should be appropriated to his benefit. In May of
the next year, the Presbytery gave him leave to resign his charge, if he
saw fit. In the autumn, the Bev. Samuel Hemphill came to this coimtiy
from Ireland, was received as a member of tiie Synod, and took up his
abode in Philadelphia, until he should obtain a settlement. Mr. A.n4r<BWB
invited him to occupy hb pulpit a part of each Sabbath ; but ,he sooq
r^etted it ; for he found that free-thinkers, deists, and in general the
worst part of the community, flocked to hear him, while, the better part of
the congregation staid away. Mr. Andrews attended his service regularly
during the winter ; but felt himself bound to '* article " against him, and a
commission, appointed for the purpose of investigating the case, tried and
suspended him. In writing to Dr. Oolman, Mr. Andrews says tiiat he had
never suffered so much as during this period, and that his mind was made
up to leave his charge, although the better part ibf them were desirous that
he should remain. Mr. Hemphill finally sunk into obscurity and disgrace,
in consequence of being detected in preaching other men's sermons.
The congregation could not agree in the choice of an assistant,— 4he
preference of some being for Jonathan Dickinson, and of others for Bobert
Gross; but, while the matter was in debate, the friends of the latter asked
12 FBESBTTEBIAK,
,of ihe Synod that they might be erected into a new oongregation, and
authoiiced to oall a minister for thenuielTes. Their reqaesl was granted bj
a large majority, with the understanding that they were not obliged to form
a distinct Society, but might do so, if, upon mature reflection, tiiey thought
best.
The Oommission met in June, 1786. The endeaTours to effect a re'»union
of the congregation haying been unsuccessful, they persuaded the friends
of Robert Gross to make a further effort, and Hr. Andrews heartily
approved of the design, but his ficiends would not consent to it. The new
congr^;ation had various supplies until 1787, when Robert Gross accepted
their call. The two cougregations were then united, and were allowed fifty
pounds out of the funds of the Synod to buy a buryiug-ground. On the
division of the Synod, in 1744, Mr. Andrews remained with the Old Side.
He wrote to Dr. Oolman-r" Tennent is much more moderate, and lets me
alone."
It is sad to be obliged to record that, near the dose of a long and useful
life, a cloud settled over this venerable man, that had scarcely passed off at
the time of his death. He was arraigned by his Presbytery on a charge of
gross immorality; and though he denied any criminal intent, he made a
confession which, in the opinion of the Presbytery, so far involved his
character, that they felt constrained to pass upon him the sentence of
suspension; — a sentence which he himself recorded, thus closing his labours
as Clerk of the Presbytery, j^e was, however, restored after a few months,
and died in the year 1747.
The following estimate of Mr. Andrews as a preacher, from Dr. Frank-
lin's Memoirs, is perhaps quite as illustrative of the character of the writer,
as of the subject: — '
" I regularly paid my labscriptioii fbr the lupport of the only Presbyterian min-
ister or meetinc we had. He uaed to visit me sometimes as a (Hend, and admonish
me to attend his ministrations. I was now and then prevailed on to do so— once for
five Snitdays saooessively. Had he been, in my opinion, a good preacher, perhaps I
mig^t have continued, notwithstanding the occasion I had for the Sunday's leisure in
my course of study. But his discourses were chieflv either polemic arguments, or
explanations of the pecnliar doctrines of our sect, and were all to me very dry, unin-
terestiuff, and unedifying, since not a lincpie moral principle was inculcated or
enfbrced.— their aim seeming to be rather to make us Presbyterians than good citizens.
At length, he took for his text Phil. iv. 8. '* Finally, Brethren, whatsoever things are
true, &c. ;" and I imagined, in a sermon on such a text-, we could not miss of having
some morality. He confined himself to Ave points only, as meant by the Apostle;
Keeping holy the Sabbath day; Being diligent in reading the Scriptures; Attending
daOy the public worship; Partsking of the Sacraments; and Paying due respect to
God's ministers. These all mi^^t be good things; but as they were not the kind of
good things I expected from that text. I despaired of ever meeting with them flrom
any other, was disgusted, and attended nls preaching no more. On Hemphill's defeat,
(in 1786,) I quitted the congregation, never attending it ftirther, thongn continuing
my subscription many years fbr the support of its r '-•" ••
GXOBaS XoNISH. 13
GEORGE McNISH *
1706—1728.
Obobgs MoNibh was bom and eduoated, aooording to one anihority,t
in Ireland; and, aooording to another, in Scotland ;t and be became a min-
ister of the (Gospel before leaving bis native ooantrj. He oame to America
in 1705, with the Key. Francis Makemie, of Virginia, who, after residing
here a nnmber of years, returned to Europe, expressly to induce ministers
to come over, and meet the oonstantly increasbg demand for the preaching
of the Oospol. In June, 1706, by order of Gk>Temor Seymour of Mary-
land, he received the necessary license to preach, from the Somerset County
Court. He was one of the original members of the Presbytery of Phila-
delphia.
His first labours, after his arrival in this country, were among the people
of Monokin and Wicomico, in Maryland. They gave him a ^H to settle
among them, probably some time before 1710 ; and, in the spring of that
year, he received another call from Jamaica, L. I. He had evidently the
two calls under consideration at the same time ; for, at a meeting of the
Presbytery in 1711, the call from Jamaica was put into his hands, and
" 'twas determined to leave his affairs respecting Jamaica and Patuxent to
himself, with advice not to delay to fix himself somewhere." Sometime in
1711, he was actually installed pastor of the church in Janudoa, though he
seems to have preached there frequently during the preceding year.
In 1717, the Presbytery of Long Island wfts formed, chiefly through
Mr. McNish's instrumentality; and, as this was the first Presbytery formed
in the Province of New York, he may fairly be considered as the father of
Presbyterianism in that State. He was Moderator of the Presbytery of
Philadelphia in 1710, and again in 1716 ; and consequently preached the
Synodical Sermon at the first meeting of the Synod of Philadelphia in 1717.
His text was John xxi. 17, — "Lovest thou me?" The same year, as he
contemplated making a visit to Great Britain, the Synod deputed him to
act in 'their behalf, durbg his absence, in promoting, as fieur as he could, the
interests of religion in ^is country. He was prevented from making his
contemplated visit; but the &ct that he was appointed to such a aervioe
shows that he was one of the more influential ministers of hi^ day, and
enjoyed in a high degree the confidence of his brethren. Tradition ascribes
to him much more ^an an ordinary degree of both talent and usefulness.
In the Beoords of the Synod for 1728, there. is. the .following entry: —
<«Upon reading the list of ministers, the Synod found to their great grief
that Mr. McNbh was dead." In the church register of Newtown it is
stated that he died March 10, 1722^28.
During the whole of Mr. McNish's ministry, there was a violent contro-
versy carried on in reference to the place of worship in Jamaica, which,
though originally built for the Presbyterian Church, was appropriated,, by
Lord Combury, to the use of the Church of England. Though Mr.
• HodM*8 HifL Prwb. Ohvfdi.— Prime*i Hlft. L. I.— MMdomad's Hift. Prah. Ohnrah at
JamaiiMu L. I.-i^Webitar*s MSB.
tDrTRaid.
t Mr. Pojer of Janudoa.
14 PRESBTTEBIAK.
MoNiBh was the miniflter of the oongregation, some ten or eleyen yean, it
18 supposed that he never preached in the honse of worship belongmg to
it» after his installation, as it was not restored till some time after his death.
The partionlars of this oontroyersy form an interesting chapter in Ameri-
can Ohurch Elstory.
JONATHAN DICKINSON.*
1708—1747.
Jonathan Dickinson was descended from a highly respectable fiamOy.
He was a grandson of Nathaniel Dickinsoni — one of the first settlers of
Wethersfiold, Oonn., who removed to Hadley, Mass., in 1669. He was a son
of Hesekiah and Abigail Dickinson, and was bom in Hatfield, Mass.,
April 22, 1688. At a very early age he lost his father,— -after which, his
mother was married to Thomas Ingersoll, and removed to Springfield — she
is said to have educated her sons by assistance derived from the estate of
her second husband. He was graduated at Yale OoUege in 1706, after
which he gave himself for a time to the study of Theology, and was
licensed to preach the Gospel. He went to Elisabethtown, N. J., in 1708.
He was ordained by the ministers of Fairfield Oounty, Conn., September
29, 1709. His field of labour embraced not only what is now Elizabeth-
town, but Bahway, Westfield, Connecticut Farms, Springfield, and a part
of Chatham. He met with the Philadelphia Presbytery, as a corresponding
member, in 1716, and, at the ordination of Bobert Orrt, actually joined the
body, in 1717.
Here Mr. Dickinson continued to exercise his ministry during a period
of nearly forty years. Dr. Qreen, in the notice which he has taken of him
in his History of the College of New Jersey, expresses the opinion that he
was accustomed, during a considerable portion of his ministry, to receive
young men for instruction in the different branches preparatoiy to their
entering on the study of some one of the liberal professions. He had also
more to do with the public concerns of his denomination than almost any
other man ; and especially in the great controversy by which the Synod of
Philadelphia, then representing ^e whole Presbyterian Church, was so
much agitated, and at length actually dirided, he bore a most 'i^rominent
part. For this he was eminently qualified, not merely by hii great
&miliarity with the rules of ecclesiastical procedure, but by his uncommon
sagacity, his calm judgment, and his unshrinking firmness, — ^tempered,
however, by the spirit of Christian forbearance and moderation. And
• PlenoB'i Fun. Senii.— Mffler^a Katrotpeoty 11.— Oh«idler*i Life of JohiiMh.— AnModlz
to Qtmh*! Dinoimw.— Miin»7»i Hiit. BlUbeihtown.— Webrter'i M8S.
. t BoBsiT Obb, oame ai a probatioDer to tUj eoontry from SeotUad or InUnd. BaiAxuf
praiehed for Mmo.tlnM to tlio paoplo of Maidenhead and Hopewetti he pveaented hia oredentiafi
to the Pieahyterj, in 1716, and they were approTed. He waa ordained and ittitalled at Maiden-
head on the SOth of October, of tlutt jear. BUm field embiaoed the ground eoTered by Penning-
ton, Laiwxeneey Tnoibn, <Fint Ohiiroh) ; Trentmi Oitjy Tltoflrine, and perfaapt AmweiL He Iras
diamlMed from hla ehmrge In 1719, and reoeiTed a geneial Synodieal reeommendfttion^ being
vaoertain where Prorldenoe might east hla lot. On aeoonnt of the loaa of the Seoorda of the
PhlladelpUft Preabyterji hla anbaeqiient oonrae eannot be traeed.
jokIthan diokihson. 15
beiiidefl the nnmeroiui and varioiu datiefl devolying npon him, at home and
abroad, in oonnection with his offioe as a nuniBter, he was a practising phy-
siman, and acquired considerable reputation in the medical profession.
In the conflict of opinion that prevailed in relation to the reviyal in which
Whitefield had so prominent an agency, Dickinson was found an unflinchbg
assertor of the genuineness of the work ; and few, if any, in the denomina-
tion to which he belonged, had more to do than he in sustaining and pro-
moting its interests. Whitefield is known, t>n one occasion at least, to have
Tinted him, and to haye preached in his parish to a very large audience,
collected upon the short notice of two hours. Brainerd, the field of whose
most important labours was at no great distance from ISlisabethtown, was
Dickinson's intimate friend; and they were cordial coadjutors in promoting
all the great mterests of truth and godliness. But, notwithstanding I^ick-
inson was the earnest friend and promoter of the revival, no one was more
carefdl than he in discriminating between the precious and the vile in
Ohristian experience, and no one set his face more resolutely against the
spirit of fanaticism and extravagance by which the rerival was, in many
cases, so materially marred.
He published a tract bearing on this subject under the foUowbg extended
titie: — '* A display of God's special grace, in a familiar Dialogue, between
a minister and a gentleman of his congregation, about the work of God in
the conviction and conversion of sinners, so remarkably of late begun and
going on in these American parts : wherein the objections against some
uncommon appearances among us are distinctly considered, xnistakes rec-
tified, and the work itself particularly proved to be from the Holy Spirit :
with an addition in a second conference, relating to sundry Antinomian
principles, beginning to obtain in some places." This pamphlet was widely
circulated, and produced a great effect. It was published at first anony-
mously, but it soon became known who was the author, and it drew forth a
strong recommendation from most of the clergymen in Boston, with Dr.
Oolman at their head, and subsequently a corresponding recommendation
from some of the brightest lights of the Presbyterian Church,^— such as the
Tennents, Blairs, &c. It is written with great vigour and discrimination,
and in a tone not unlike that which characterises the works of Edwards,
written about the same time, and on the same general subject.
The division of the Presbyterian Ohurch, which resulted in the formation
of the separate Synods of New York and Philadelphia, occurred in the year
1741. From this period, each of the Synods was intent upon makinj^ pro-
visbn to train up young men for the ministry; and as nearly all the min-
isters of New Jersey attached themselves to the Synod of New York, and
as the Presbyterian interest was stronger in New Jersey than in any other
part of the Synod, it was proposed to establish a OoUege, if possible, and
to fix it witlun the limits of New Jersey. Dickinson had been the acknow-
ledged leader in the old Synod of Philadelphia, when that constituted the
entire Presbyterian body ; and he was no lees the leader of the Synod of New
York, after the separation ; and no doubt he had more to do in originating
the Oollege of New Jersey than any other man. The business of teaching
had been fiuniliar to him for years ; and this, taken in connection with his
confessed intellectual superiority and commanding influence, naturally
directed the attention of the. community to him, aS' the indifUoal most
•uitable to preside in so important an undertakbg. A charter for a Oollege
le FBESBTTEBIAH.
haying been granted by Jobn Hamilton, at that time acting Goyemor, the
in&nt institution which, in dae time, took the name of Naeean Hall, forth*
with went into operation at Eliaabethtown, with DiokinBon at its head.
Still he did not relinqoish, in any degree, his pastoral charge, but connected
with his aooostomed duties as a minister the oversight and instrueUon of the
new College : indeed it is probable that the office which he now formally
assumed as President, occupied scarcely more of his time than he had pre-
yiously dcyoted to the young men whose education he had undertaken to
superintend. He, howeyer, sustained this office but for a brief period ; for
the Oollege did not commence its operations till the charter was giyen in
October, 1746, and his death occurred on the 7th of October, 1747. But,
though his Presidency lasted but a single year, there is no doubt that he
left upon the institution the permanent impress of his own character.
He died of an attack of pleurisy, in the sixtieth year of his age, and at
a time when his usefulness was probably greater than ii had been at any
period of his life. Mr. Johnes* of Morristown, who was with him in his
last illness, asked him, just before his death, concerning his prospects, and his
reply was — *' Many days have passed between Gt)d and my soul, in which I
haye solemnly dedicated myself to Him, and I trust what I have committed
unto Him, He is able to keep until that day." These were his last words.
His Funeral Sermon was preached by the Bey. John Piersont of Wood-
bridge, and was published. He was buried among his flock, where is still
to be seen a yenerable old monument, with a long poetical inscription,
marking the place of his graye.
That President Dickinson's intellect was of a yery high order, no one
can doubt who reads half a dozen pages of any tiling that he has written.
There is a yigour and perspicuity of both tiiought and expression, an accu-
racy of discrimination, and an ability to grapple with the most difficult
problems, that mark him at once as an extraordinary man. His style
compares well with that of tiie best theological writers of his day. Ho
possessed great energy and decision, as well as great conscientiousness ; and,
though he had no relish for controyersy, for its own sake, he neyer hesitated
to engage in it, when he supposed the interests of truth required it. Hence
a considerable portion of his published works bear a controyersial character,
and are designed to defend what he regarded the cardmal doctrines of
Ohristianity.' It may be doubted whether, with the single exception of the
elder Edwards, Oalrimsm has oyer found an abler or more efficient champion
in this country, than Jonathan Dickinson.
• IbMOTBT JoHVBB WM of WeUh extnetioo, and wu bom aX SonthimptoD, L. I., IUt
U, mi. He WM giAdiiated at Yale CoUece in 17S7, and waa oidaliied and iniUUed at
Morrifltowii hj the New York Prtibjteiy, Feoroaiy 9, 1748. There were MTeral eztesslTe
ebnrab, on a profudon of their ftdth, diiring hif mioistiy. While the Ameiioan army wia
eneamMd in Morziitown in the winter of 1777, Waahington, on one oooarioo, commoned with
Mr. Johnca' ehnreh. Ha reoeired the decree of 0oetor of Divinity fWmi Yale College in 1788.
The late Bar. Dr. Jamca Bieharda nreaened to the aged man (then near the doee of life) in
hia own dwelling, that he migbt Judge of hia fltne« te ivoDMd him. He reoeiTed a oaU Jmt
befoce the death of Dr. Johnei, who wai xemored hj djauiUarj, September 19, 1794, aged
■erentj-tdght.
fJoax rinuios waa aion of the Ber. Abraham Pienon— Ant President of Yale CoHeget waa
gfadnated at Yale in 1711 1 waa ordained and installed pastor of the ehnroh at Woodhrldge, N . J.,
fiil714} waa diamiswd at nla own reqneat, after a ndntatiy of about fortj yeaiss *nd ^*^ ^ ^^
hoBse m his son-in-law, the Ber. Jaeob Chreen of Haaorer, in the month of Angoat or Sep-
tember, 1770. It is stated on his tomb stone that he waa a miniater of the Gospel fiftj-seTen
years: Besides the Fnneial Sermon alrea4y mentiotted, he published a Sermon preaehed at
Newark befbre the Kew York Piesl^jteiy, antttled "Christ the Son of Ged, aa Qod-maa
Mediator," 1761.
JOKATHAK DICKINSON. 17
He was emiaent for ihe warmth and strangik of luia devotional fealbga,
and for the uniform oonabtency and purity of hia life. Ha was bland and
oonrteons in his manners, and though soffieiently easy of aooess, was never
tolerant towards undne liberties. He had great power in the pnlpit, and
enohained the attention of his audience by both his matter and his manner.
His memory is still fragrant on the spot where he lived, and the children
and children's children of those who knew and loved him, cherish an
hereditary reverence for his name and his grave.
Forty-six years after his departure, the Bev. David Austin, one of his
successors in the pastoral office, wrote thus concerning him : —
There are those now living who teitify that he was a most solemn, mighty and mo7-
ing preacher; a nnUbrm aoVocate for Um distingoiBking doctrines of grace; Indns-
trions, indefatigahle and snccessful in his ministerial labonrs. His person was manly
and of fall sise, his aspect gra?e and solemn, so that the wicked seemed to tremble in
his presence.
The Bev. Thomas Foxcroft, of Boston, in a Preface to his work on the
" Five Points," says :—
I'm of opinion a book of this nature has long been wanting among us: and I g^^e
unfeigned thanks to God. which put this same earnest care for us into the heart of our
brother, whose praise is m the Gospel throughout the churches, particularly by means
of his elaborate writings, in vindication both of the faith and oitler of the Goiroel, and
other more practical pnlilcations. * * * * Now, as Paul said of Timothy.
' I have no man like-minded,' so I will presume to speak it, without any design of
flattery or oflEbnce,— I know no man better acoomplished (in my opinion) for a work of
this kind than Mr. Dickinson; and without entermg into recommendation of his per-
fbrmances, I doubt not the superior and established character of the Reverend author,
with the improvement of the Divine subjects, is enou^ to Invite a general readmg, and
solicit the attention of every serioos and impartial reader.
Dr. Bellamy speaks of him as "the great Mr. Dickinson." Dr. John
ErsHne, of Edmburgh, said that the British Isles had produced no such
writers on Divinity in the eighteenth century as Dickinson and Edwards.
Dr. Bodgers, of New York, who knew Dickinson well, used to say that he was
one of the most venerable and apostolical looking men he ever met with.
Mr. Dickinson was married at Elisabethtown, shortly after he went
tluiher to reside, to Joanna Melyne, a descendant of Joseph Melyne, one
of the associates in the purchase of the Elisabethtown tract under Governor
NicoU's grant. She died April 20, 1745, aged sixty-three. She was the
mother of a large family, of whom only three daughters survived her. The
third child, who was named after his father, was bom September 19, 1718,
and was graduated at Yale College in 1781. His youngest daughter,
Martha^ married the Bev. Oaleb Smith, of Newark Mountains (now Orange).
Another was the second wife of Jonathan Sergeant of Princeton, the
grandfather of the Hon. John Sergeant of Philadelphia, and Mrs. Dr.
Miller of Princeton. The third married Mr. John Cooper, probably of
West Hampton, L. I.
David Brunerd was Dickinson's intimate friend, — the latter having
interested himself deeply in his behalf, when he was refused a degree from
Yale College. Brainerd spent part of the last year of his l^e under
Diekinsou's roof, and solemnised his second marriage at Newark, April 7,
1747. He rode back to Elisabethtown in the evening ** in a pleasant frame,
full of composure and sweetness."
The foUowmg is a list of President Dickinson's published works : —
Bemarks upon Mr. Gale's Beflections upon Mr. Wall's History of Infant
Bap^m, in a Letter to a friend, 1716. A Sermon preached before the
Vol. m. 3
18 PRESBTTEBIAK.
Synod on I. Timoihy iii. 17, 1722. Defence of Presbjieriui ordination
in answer to a pamphlet entitled, " A modest proof of the «rder and
goyemment settled by Ohrist and his Apostles in the Church," 1724.
Beasonablencss of Christianity : Four Sermons, 1782. A Foneral Sermon
on Mrs. Bath Pierson, wife of the Bey. John Pierson, 1788. Bemarks
npon a pamphlet entitled, ** A Letter to a friend in the oonntry, containing
the substance of a Sermon preached at Philadelphia in the congregation of
the Bey. Mr. Hemphill " — (Defence of the commission of Synod by Mr.
Dickinson), 1785. The vanity of hnman institutions in the worship of
Gtod I A Sermon preached at Newark, 1786. A Defence of the above
Sermon, 1787. The Beasonablencss of non-conformity to the Church
of England, in point of worship: A second Defence of the same Sermon,
1788. The Witness of the Spirit : A Sermon preached at Newark, N. J.,
wherein is distinctly shown in what way and manner the Spirit Himself
beareth witness to the adoption of the children of Ood, on ocossion of a
wonderful progress of converting grace in those parts, 1740. Observations
on that terrible disease, vulgarly called the throat-^temper, 1740. The
true Scripture Doctrine concerning some important points of Christian
fidth, particularly Eternal Election, Original Sin, Orace in Conversion,
Justification by Faith, and the Saints' Perseverance. Bepresented and
applied in five Discourses, 1741. A Dbplay of Gkni's special grace, in a
familiar Dialogue, 1742. The Nature and Necessity of Begeneration con-
sidered in a Sermon firom John iiL 8, preached at Newark, N. J., at a
meeting of the Presbytery there. To which is added some Bemarks on a
Discourse of Dr. Waterland's, entitled ** Begeneration stated and explained,
according to Scripture antiquity," 1748. Familiar Letters to a gentleman
upon a variety of seasonable and important subjects in religion, 1746.
Beflections upon Mr. Wetmore's Letter in Defence of Dr. Waterland's
Discourse of Begeneration. With a Vindication of the received doctrine
of Begeneration, and plain scriptural evidence that the notion of Baptismal
Begeneration is of a dangerous and destructive tendency, 1746. A Vindi-
cation of Ood's Sovereign free grace. In some remarks on Mr. J. Beach's
Sermon, with some brief reflections upon H. Caner's Sermon, and on a
pamphlet entitled a letter from Aristocles to Anthades, 1746. A second
Yindication of Ck)d's Sovereign free grace, &c., 1748. An Account of the
deliverance of Bobert Barrow, &c., when shipwrecked among the cannibals
of Florida.
6E0BGI GILUBSPIE. 1^
GEORGE GILLESPIE*
1Y12— 1760.
GiOBGi GiLLSSPis was bom m Qlasgow^ Scotland, in the yoar 1688, and
was ednoated at the UniverBity in hia native city. He was licensed to preach
by the Presbytery of Glasgow early in 1712, and came to New BngUnd in
the spring of the same year, bringing a letter of recommendation from
Principal Sterling to Cotton Mather.
The congregation at Woodbridge, N. J., was at that time in a distracted
state, and the ministers of Boston, haying been made acquainted with it,
judged Mr. Gillespie to be a suitable person to be introduced there, with a
view to heal existing diyisions. He accordingly was introduced by their
recommendation; but, though his course was altogether prudent and con-
oiUatory, and he was receiyed at first in a way that seemed to promise the
happiest results, circumstances still more adyerse to the harmony of the
congregation subsequently occurred, that left him with little hope of accom«
plishlng the desired end.
In September following, the Presbytery approved of his credentials; and
if Proyidence should open the way for his ordination by a call from any
congregation, Messrs. Andrews, McNish, Andersont and Morgan,^ were
•Hodge*! BkL Pntb. Cbiinh.^We1»ter*i MSS.
t Jambs Assbbsov wm bora In Sootland, fToyeiiiber \7, 1578; wm odo«ated In bii natlTt
aonntiy; and wbb ordained hj the Inrine Presbyteiy, NoTomber 17, 1708, with a Tiewto hia
ietUement in Viigmia. Heaixiredin the Uappahannoo, April 22, 1709; bat being diaw-
pointed in the itate of thlngi in Yiiginim, he oame Northward and aettled at Keweastle. In
1717, he waa inTited l^the then reoently organiied PreabTterian oongregation in New York to
beeome their paator. file aooepted the call, and ahared with the dhoxbh ita early adrerM for-
tonea nntU 1726, when he reaigned hia ohane with a Tiew to beeome paator of aehnroh at Don-
enl, on the Snaqnehanna, in Peunayl^ania,— though he waa not aotnaUy inatalled then tUl
the latter part of Angoat, 1727. In 1788, he waa oommiarioned by the Synod to go to '^r-
ginia to aoUdt the faroiir of the goyernment in behalf of the Preabyteiian Chnreh then, and
performed hia mlaaion aatiafiMtoxUy. He married a daoghter of ByUeater Gkurland of the
Head of Apoqninimy, in Febrnarr, 1712-18. She died December 24, 1780 ; and, in fnat about
a year after, he waa married to Baebel Wilaoo. Ho died July 10, 1740. A wortUeaa feUow
Booghty after liSa death, to bring a reproaoh on hia memoiy ; bnt the Preebyteiy prompt^ oame
to hia Tindiaation.
X JosBPH MoBOAir waa a grandaon of Jamea Moigan, who oame to Peqnot, New LoBdoa»
Conn., aboot 1047, with the flrat aettleia— the Tonncer John Winthrop being their head. He
waa the aon of Joeeph and Dorothy Morgan, and waa bom in New London (the part of it whidh ia
now Groton) Norember 0, 1072. In December, 1690, arraogementa were made by the town of
Bedford, Weateheater County, N. T. to aeoare him for their miniater, and he aooeded to thehr
propoaala. In the following year, he waa ordained by the miniaten of Fairfield County. Two
yean after, (1702,) he reoMTed the degree of Baohelor of Arta, aa one of the ilrat elaaa of giad-
uatea at Talet thua rendering it probable that, in one inatanoe at leaat, a degree waa giren
when the uanal oonrae of atncqr had been aooompliahed before the College poaaeaaed oorporate
priTUecea* When he commenoed preaoMng eontraiy to the praetioe of the Umea, he need
^..._ 'v_. v._ ,.__... " -"Td againat itao atrongiy, that ho quiekly abandoned
I dnnng part of the time at the neighbouring town of
Beat Cheater, lor more than four yean, he remored about the oloae of the year 1704, to Green-
them. HaTiog mlniatered at Bedford, and dnnng part of the time at the neighbouring town of
" -^ - * .. - . ^ bouttheoloaeof the year 1704, to Oreen-
, he aettled aa paator of the PreabTterian
wieh, Conn^ and pieaohed there tiU 1708. In 1709, 1
ehureh in mehoU, N. J. In September, 1728, oomplainta were made to the Synod ihat he
''pnetiaed tMN\cgf, eoontenaneea pramiaonona danmng, and tranacreaMd in drink ;" but
the Synod diamimed them for want of proof. Aa, however, he had little proapeot of Airther
uaefUneaa amoog hia people, he tendered hia reeination, and took ohaige of tne churohea of
Maidenhead and HopeweU. In 1780, he waa agun oharged with intemperanee hj the Prea«
bytaty of Philadelphia ; and the eridenee of hia guilt waa auch that he waa anapended from the
mialatry. But he waa now hr advaneed in life, and aeemed wholly inaenatUe to the allMPed delin-
quent. In 1788, the Preabytery, at the reqneat of many exoellent people who held him in
high eatimation, reatored him, and the aot waa approved by the Synod. Hia name doea not
appear in any Preabyterial or Srnodioal Beoord after 1740. ICr. Moigan pnblidied a Semon
at the ordfaiation of Jonathan DieUnaon in BUaabethtown, 1712; aXreatiae on Baptlam, enti-
tled " The Portamonth Diapntation examined,'* 1718 ; Remedy for mortal eiron, ahowing the
20 FBSSBTTSRIAK.
designated to perfonn the ordination service. The Presbjierj recommended
liim again to the congregation at Woodbridge: — ^They say, "We sliall
strengdien his hands, and enconrage his heart, to try awhile longer, wait-
ing for the effect of oar renewed essays for peace and qnietness among
you."
Shortly after this, he receiyed a communication from the Presbytery,
informing him that the people of White Clay had petitioned for a minister ;
and, if he lefb Woodbridge, he was ordered first to supply that people.
He received a call from the congregation of White Clay Creek, and on
the 28th of May, 1718, was ordained by a Committee of three; having
preached the day before on Oalatians iv. 4, 5; and delivered an Exegesis
on — ** An Christus pro omnibus et singulis sit mortuus ?" These exercises,
as well as his exambation in the original languages, philosophy, and theol-
ogy» were highly acceptable. His charge seems to have embraced, for
several years, besides White Clay, — ^Bed Clay, Lower Brandywine, and
Blk Biver.
He was zealous for strict discipline, and ihree times entered his protest,
when he thought offenders were too leniently dealt with. In one instance
he informed his Presbytery that he would publish animadversions on the
tmdue tenderness of the Synod, but they absolutely prohibited his doing it.
He was remarkably punctual in his attendance on meetings of the Pres*
bytery and Synod, as well as in bringing a contribution to the fund.
On the great question of the Protest, he did not vote. Having, in all the
previous trying sessions, laboured earnestly for the peace of the Church,
he withdrew with the excluded brethren, and signified his willingness to be
of their number, though he does not appear to have met with them after-
wards. He remained neutral till 1744, when he returned to the Old Synod.
In discussing the terms of union, he objected to bebg required to acknow-
ledge what was generally styled — '*the great revival," to be "a glorious
work of grace." He had seen so many sad issues from hopeful beginnings,
so much that he deemed reprehensible in the course of some of the leaders
in the work, such wild confusion and wide spread division connected with
it, that he could not conscientiously give it his unqualified sanction.
Mr. Gillespie died January 2, 1760, aged seventy-seven. Dr. Francis
Alison, who knew him, speaks of him as "that pious samt of Gk)d."
neoMiitj of the umolnting of ihe Spirit to gaud ui from emnr; a Diaeomw on Original 8in{ •
BiMOQiM on the doath of hii mn, Joseph Blorgui^ 1728 1 Boply to an Anonjinoiii nller ■gainat
tho dootrino of elaoUon, 1734; a DiMoone entitlod "Bin its own pimialim«nt»» 1728 { a Bia-
oonxae entitled "Loto to our neighbour leoommended," 8d edition, 17i9. ffia aon Jbtipt
gradoated at Tale CoUege in 1738, and died the aame year.
BOBSRT GBOSS. 21
ROBERT CROSS *
1717— 1766,
BoBSBT Cross was bom near Ballykelley, in Ireland, in the year
1689. He reoei?ed both his aoademieal and theologieal education in his
native country, and came to America, when he was not hx from twenty-
eight years of age. On the 19th of September, 1717, at the first meeting
of the Synod of Philadelphia, he presented his testimonials as a probationer,
lately from Ireland, which haying been improved, he was recommended to
the Presbytery of Newcastle. On the 17th of March, 1719, he was
ordained and installed at Newcastle, as successor to the Bey. James
Anderson, who had then lately remoyed to New York. On the 18th of
September, 1728, he receiyed a call to settle oyer the Presbyterian congre-
gation in Jamaica, L. I., as successor to the Bey. (}eorge HcNish, and
between that date and the 10th of October following, he left Newcastle,
and took charge of the church in Jamaica. It was during his ministry
that the people recoyered their church property, including their place of
worship, from which they had been ejected by Lord Oombury, about a
quarter of a century before.
In 1784, it appears that the First Church in Philadelphia had giyen Mr.
Gross a call to become their pastor, as the matter of hb remoyal was then
a question before the Synod. The Oommissioners from Jamaica and Phila-
delphia were heard at length ; ''and after the most critical examination of
the affair, and the solemn imploring the Diyine assistance, the matter was
put to yote, and carried against Mr. Gross's transportation." The call
from Philadelphia was by no means unanimous, — ^there being a large party
in the congregaUon opposed to Mr. Gross ; and, the next year, the part
who were &yourable to him, petitioned to be erected into a distinct congre-
gation. The Synod haying granted the petition, the new congregation pre-
sented him a call in 1786, and the Synod called upon him to express his
yiews concerning it. Mr. Gross stated, in reply, that he thought the Synod
oould not properly come to any decision unUl his people had been duly
informed on the subject ; and that, as circumstances then were, he believed
that he ought to remun at Jamaica. After a long discussion, the Synod
finally resolyed to defer the whole matter until their next meetbg, that the
people of Jamaica might be appriied of the moyement, and might haye an
opportunity of presenting their objections agunst Mr. Gross's remoyal.
Meanwhile, Mr. Gross was appointed to supply the new congregation at
Philadelphia, for two months preyious to the next meeting of Synod, pro^
yision being also made for the supply of the people of Jamaica during his
absence. The next year, (May 27, 1787,) the subject of Mr. Gross's
remoyal came again before the Synod, and reasons were urged by represen-
tatiy^ of the two congregations respectiyely, why the proposed change in
his ministerial relations should, and should not, take place. Mr. Gross
haying referred the case entirely to the judgment of the Synod, — ^they pro-
ceeded to deliberate upon it, and finally came to the unanimous conclusion
•HMdonald*! mit. of tht Jtnaim Ohimh.— Primt'i Hlit. L. I.— Hodg*^ Hisl. Frab.
Otanh.— Webttor'i MSB.
22 FRESBTTEBIAK
that Mr. Gross should be <« transported" to Philadelphia; after whioh, at
Mr. O.'s request, they appointed a oommittee, oonsbting of Messrs. Thom-
son* and Anderson, to prepare a soitable letter to ^e oongr^ation in
Jamaioa, ** signifying what was done in the affair." He joined tike Phihuiel-
phia Presbytery, May 29, 1787, and was installed on the 10th of Noyem-
ber foUowmg. In the Minutes of Synod for 1788, there is the following
entry : — *' It is reported that Mr. Bobert Cross was bstalled smoe our last,
aooording to the Synod's appointment, and that the two congregations in
Philadelphia were since united." The installation sermon was preached
by the Bey. Mr. Andrews, with whom Mr. Gross was settled as a col-
league.
Mr. Gross's ministry at Jamaica is said to haye been highly successful,
and attended by a considerable reyiyal of relijpon. The Bey. James M.
Macdonald, lately pastor of the same church, where he had the best oppor-
tunity of gathering up traditions respecting his ministry there, says that
'*it is eyident that he was yery highly esteemed," and '*was one of the
most prominent and influential ministers of the day in which he liyed."
Elizabeth Ashbridge, a celebrated Quakeress of that day, has rendered a
somewhat equiyocal testimony concerning him, in saying — **His people
almost adored him, and impoyerished themselyes to equal the sum offered
him in the city ; but fiiiling in this, they lost him."
The occasional labours of Whitefield in Philadelphia are said to haye
been not wholly in accordance with the yiews and feelings of either Mr.
Gross or hb colleague ; and many who had been their friends, became alien-
ated from them, on the alleged ground that they did not preach either
alarmingly or feryently enough. Whitefield, when about to sail for Eng-
land, wrote from Beedy Island, De., May 19, 1740, — ** Mr. Gross has
preached most of his people away from him. He huhed me most brayely,
the Sunday before I came away. Mr. Andrews also preached agabst me."
But subsequently, when the snow preyented the roofless "Great House"
from being used, Gross offered his meeting house to Whitefield, and he
preached in it.
After the death of Mr. Andrews, in 1747, the Bey. Francis Alison
became Mr. Gross's assistant; and, in 1768, application was made to both
Edinburgh and London for a colleague. Mr. Gross resigned his pastoral
charge, June 22, 1768. He died in August, 1766. His wife, who was
* Jonr TXoirsoir cum from IreUnd to New York, tm a probationer, in the imniner of ITU.
Being xeoommended hj the Preebytery to the people of Lewee, De., he went thither to preaoh,
reeeiTed a eaU ftom them In the antamn of 17iS, and was ordained and installed u their pattor
In April, 1717. He reaigned hla ehaige in 17S9, for want of sapport. The next year he
aeoepied a eaU fhm Middle Oatorora; bat, in oonaeqnenee of the diatraeted state of hia eoBpe-
gation, he remored, in 1782, to Oheatnnt LotoL In 17SS, he waa in saoh atraitened eiroom-
ateDoea that oolleotiona Ibr his reUef were made in the eongregationa in Donegal Preab/tery.
Inthewinterof 1788, he Tisited the YaUqr of Virginia, and poaaedthrongh theBoekflah Gap
to Cknmnd, BoflUo, and Oiib Greek. It waa his wfih to aettle in Virginia, bat hia Preabyteiy
woald not neleaae him from hSM eharge ontii Jaly, 174i{ when he made hia way baek io the
VaUej, and waa engaged, under Preabytwy, in direetfng the miarionaiy operations in Weatem
Vinlnia. He Tiaitedlforth Carolina in 1744, and ag^nin 1761 ; and in hla latter Tiait he met
with Henry Patillo, (allerwaida a diatingniahed olergyman,) and adviaed him io stodr for the
ministry. In 1749, while he waa laboorlng in the Ooonty of Amelia, he pabliahed at WSliaaM-
boxg an Bxplieation of the Shorter OateoUsm. Ho also pabliahed a work on the Ooremment
of &e Charbh, and a Sennop w OonWotion and Aasaiaaoe, whioh were highly oommeoded Inr
Gilbert Tennent. He apeai hia laat yeara with hia aon-in-law at Bollalo, In Prinee Edward,
where, aooorfing to Dr. Foota, he died in 17ft8; tiioa|di Dr. Alexander atatea that «he Ilea in
the Buffalo grare yard without a atone." He parttdpated largely in the difflooltiea that
I in the rapture of the Ohniah, and in both hia ooatiotiona and aeta wu Tory atnmg^ on
the Old Side.
BOBSBT OBOSS. 23
lorn in the Atj of Now Tork, in iho year 1688, diod Qio samo year infSk
her hnaband.
Mr. Oroaa maintained a oorreapondence wiih the miniatem of the Soaib
Carolina Presbytery.
The folloiring testimony to his oharaeter appears on his grare-stone : —
"He exoelled in prudence, and grayity, and a general deportment, was
esteemed for his learned acqnaintanoe with the Holy Soriptnres, and long
aooonnted one of the most respeetable ministers in the Proyinoe.'*
In 1785, Mr. Gross published a Sermon, preached before the Oommis-
non of Synod at PhiladelpUa, which he dedicated to his people at Jamaica,
in terms ezpressiye of strong regard and attachment.
WILLIAM TENNENT.*
1718—1746.
WiLLiAK TuvmiTT was bom in Ireland, in the year 1678. He receiYed
a liberal education in his natiye country, and was probably a graduate of
Trinity College, Dublin. He entered iJie minbtry originally in the Bpis-
oopal Church: he was ordained Deacon by the Bishop of Down, July 1, 1704,
and Priest^ September 22, 1706. After receiying orders, he acted as Chap-
lain, for some time, to an Irish nobleman ; but it does not appear that he
oyer had charge of a parish, preyious to his coming to this country ; and
the reason that has been assigned for it is, that he could not conscientiously
conform to all the terms imposed on the clergy of the Established Church.
On the 16th of May, 1702, he was married to a daughter of the Rey. Gilbert
Kennedy, who, haying been ejected from his charge in Ayrshire, Scotland,
went to Holland, where he exercised his ministry for some time, and thence
went to Ireland, where he spent his latter years, and died February 6,
1687-88.
As Mr. Tennent'sfunily was increasing, and his prospects of usefulness
in his own country were somewhat dubious, he resolyed, after a few years,
to migrate to America, where he was encouraged to hope for more liberty
of conscienoe, and greater &cilities for doing good. He landed at Phila-
delphia on the 6ih of September^ 1718, with his fiunily,^-con8isting of his
wife, four sons, and one daughter ; and was most hospitably receiyed and
entertained by James Logan, who was his cousin on the moUier's side, and
who, at different times, held seyeral of the most important offices in the
State.
Mr. Tennent seems to haye come to this country with an intention imme-
diatdiy to change his ecclesiastical relations ; and, accordingly, he soon
applied to the Synod of Philadelphia, to be receiyed as a minister into their
connection. The Synod, alter due deliberation, agreed to receiye him ;-^
not, howeyer, till he had laid before them in writing the reasons whiA had
induced him to withdraw from the Episcopal Church. The minute of the
• TlM e«nflnd A«embl7'i IflirfoiiHyllacMdiMor BTMicdioil IntdUcMMr^ IL-^Dr. Itaz-
Mid«r*a Hlii. of Loc CoUego.— TamoiVi Funilj BMOid, Ui hii own hMd-wiitfais.— Webitar**
MBS.— MB.ftmiitE6B«T.LW:K.flaiidj. —»
24 FBESBYTERIAH.
Synod is as follows :-^" Mr. WiUUm Tennent's affiur, bebg tnmsmitted by
the committee [of overtures] to the Synod, was by tiiem fiilly oonsidered,
being well satisfied with his oredentials, and the testimony of some brethren
here present ; as also they were satisfied with the material reasons which he
oflfered concerning his dissenting firom the Established Church of Ireland ;
being pat to a vote of the Synod, it was carried in the affirmative to admit
him a member of the Synod. Ordered that his reasons be inserted on
the Synod book ad Juturam rei memoriam. The Synod also ordered that
the Moderator should give him a serious exhortation to continue steadfast in
his now holy profession — which was done." This transaction took place on
the 17th of September, 1718, — ^within less than a fortnight after he arrived
in the country.
Mr. Tennent, thus bebg introduced into the Presbyterian Church, went,
in November following, to East Chester, N. Y., where he continued, pro-
bably as a stated supply, for about eighteen months. In May, 1720, he
removed thence to Bedford, in the same neighbourhood, where he laboured
for a short time ; but soon after, probably in the year 1721, he left Bedford,
and went to preach at Bensalem and Smithfield, in Bucks County, Pa.
Here he continued until the year 1726, when he accepted a call from the
church at Neshaminy, in the same county, where he remained till the close
of his life. The Presbytery did not send a minister to install him ; but the
people, in answer to an inquiry made of them in the meeting-house, signified
their acceptance of him as their pastor. He had two congregations, distin-
guished as the Upper and Lower.
Some time after his removal to Neshaminy, Mr. Tennont, being deeply
impressed with the importance of a well educated as well as pious ministry^
resolved on establishing a school at which young men might acquire the
requisite qualifications for the sacred office. He was admirably fitted to
conduct such a school, being a fine general scholar, as well as a thoroughly
read theologian ; and with the Latin language he was so familiar, that he
could write and speak it, not only with perfect ease but with remarkable
elegance. He is said to have deUvered a Latin oration before the Synod,
not long after he was admitted a member, which was greatly praised for its
correct and splendid diction, and which showed the more finished education
which, at that time, was obtained, in the mother country.
Mr. Tennent, with a view to carry his benevolent purpose mto effect,
erected a humble building, within a few steps of his own dwelling, for the
accommodation of those who might offer themselves as students. His kins-
man, James Logan, had presented him, in 1728, with fifty acres of land ;
and on this lot atood the building referred to. His expectations in this
enterprise were more than realized; for here, before many years had passed,
had been educated a considerable number of the most distinguished Presby-
terian ministers of their time. Among them were Tennent's own sons,
Samuel and John Blair^ Wtn. BobtmoUf &c. It may safely be said that
the establishment of this institution, known as the ** Log College," marked
an epoch in the history of clerical education, at least in the Presbyterian
Church, in this country.
In the year 1787 a portion of Mr. Tennent's congregation had become
dissatisfied that he had so long acted as pastor of the church at Neshaminy,
without having been formally installed. This part of the congregation
made a complaint against Mr. Tennent before the Synod; but it was
W^ILLIAX TENNEHT. 26
answered by another part of the oongregationi who folly jnatified the oonrse
of their pastor. After both papers had been read, and both parties heard,
the Synod adopted a minute ezpressiye of their strong disapprobation of
the oondact and probable motives of the oomplainants, and exhortiiig them
to " lay aside their groundless dissatb&otions, and retam to their duty/*
Mr. Tennent seems to haye been a man of great seal, and a warm friend
to reyiyals of religion. When Whitefield first visited Philadelphia, Mr. T.,
though living at a distanoe of thirty miles, hastened to the city, that he
might enjoy the privilege of oommunion with one whom he considered so
truly a kindred spirit. What impression he made upon Whitefield, may be
inferred from the following entry in his journal : —
" At my retnm home [from vlsltiiig a funilv] was mnch oomfortcd hy the comhig
of one Mr. Temient, an old gray-headed dfaciple and Bervant of Jesiis Christ. He
keeps an Academy abont twenty miles from Philadelphia, and has been blessed with
four gradons sons, three of which have been, and still oontlnne to be, eminently nsef^il
in the Chnrch of Christ. He bronght three pious souls along with him, and rejoiced
me by letting me know how they had been spoken evfl of for their Master^ sake. He
is a great friend of Mr. Erskine of Scotland; and, as frur as I can learn, both he and
his sons are secretly despised by the generafity of the Synod, as Mr. Erskine and his
friends are hated by the Judicatories of Edinbur^; and as the Methodist preachers (as
they are called) are by their brethren in Enj^ind.''
Whitefield, on his return from New-Tork, visited Mr. Tennent at his
own house, and spent some days with him. His acoount of this visit is as
follows: —
" November 22. [1780.] Set out for Neshaminy, (twenty miles distant from Trent
Town,) where old Mr. Tennent lives and keeps an Academy, and where I was to preach
to-day, according to appointment. ' About twelve [o'clock] we came thither, and
(bund about three thousand people gathered toffether in the meeting house yard. Mr.
William Tennent (Jr.), an eminent serrant of Jesus Christ, because we staid beyond
the time apnointed, was preaching to them. When I came up, he soon stopped; sung
a hymn, ana then I began to speak, as the Lord gave me utterance. At first, the
people seemed unaffected: but, in the midst of my discourse, the power of the Lord
Jesus came upon me, ana I felt such a struisling within myself for the people as I
scarce ever felt before. The hearers began tooe melted down immediately, ana to cry
mueh; and we had good reason to hope the Lord intended good for many. After I
had finished, Mr. Gilbert Tennent gave a word of exhortation to confirm what had been
delivered. At the end of his discourse, we sung a psalm, and dismissed the people
with a blesshig— O thai ilu people may tay amin to it! After our exercises were over,
we went to dd Mr. Tennent's, who entertained us like one of the ancient patriarchs.
His wilb, to me, seemed like Elizabeth j and he like Zachary; both, so fir as I can
learn, walk in aU the commandments and ordinances of the Loitl blameless. Thou|^
Gk)d was pleased to humble my soul, so that I was obliged to retire for a while, vel
we had sweet communion with each other, and spent tlw evening in concerting what
measures had best be taken for promoting our dear Lord's Kingdom. It happened
very providentially that Mr. Tennent and his brethren are appointed to be a Presby-
tery by the Synod, so that they intend bringhig up gracious youths, and sending them
out from time to time into the Lord's vineyard. The place wherein the young men
study now, is, in contempt, called thb Coixbob, Sec. Friday, November ^Ml, parted
with dear Mr. Tennent and his other worthy ftllow labourers j but promised to remem-
ber each other publicly in our prayers."
Mr. Tennent, previons to the division of the Synod, had been a monber
of the Presbyteiy of Philadelphia; bnt, at that time, he joined the Pves-
bytery of New Bmnstriok, to which also his sons, Gilbert and William, were
attached.
His health, for some time before his death, was so infirm, that he was
obliged to withdraw from his pastoral duties, and his pnlpit was supplied
by ti^e Presbytery. His oonnection with his congregation is supposed to
have been dissolved in 1742 ; but his name is enrolled among the members
of the New Brunswiok Presbytery in the following year, (174S,) and ke is
YoL. m. 4
26 FRESBYTEftlAir.
mentioned also as being present, the same year, at the ordination of hb
aoooessor. He died at his own honse, in Neshaminy, Hay 6, 1746, aged
seventy-three ; and was buried in the Presbyterian bnrying-gronnd, where
his grave is still to be seen. Mrs. Catharine Tennent, his widow, died in
Philadelphia, May 7, 1768, aged seventy.
Mr. Tennent had five chddren, — ^fonr sons and one daughter. Three of
his sons, Gilbert^ William and John, form the subjects of distinct sketches
in this work.
Ghables, the youngest son, was bom at Colrain, in the County of Down,
Ireland, on the 8d of May, 1711 ; and was, therefore, at the time of his
fisither's emigration, seven years of age. He, like his elder brothers, reoaved
hifl education at the Log College. He was taken on trial by the Philadel-
phia Presbytery, in May, 1786, and was licensed to preach on the 20th
of September following. After preaching for twenty-six years to the people
of White Clay Creek in Delaware, by whom he was highly esteemed as a
fiiithful minister, he resigned his charge, owing to their inability to fulfil
their engagements in respect to his support; and, shortly after, in 1768,
was installed pastor of the united congregations of Buckingham and Black-
water. Here he remained four years, during which time he had the super-
viuon of a boarding school for boys, in which employment he seems to have
been assisted by his son, Mr. WilUam Mackay Tennent. Having lost his
wife, Mr. Tennent, shortly after his settlement at Buckingham, was married
a second time to a widow lady in Philadelphia, — a member of his brother
Gilbert's church ; and this marriage was fruitful of evils that seem to have
continued till the day of his death. After being dismissed from Buckingham,
he accepted an invitation to supply the congregations of Broad Creek and
Lit^e Creek, in Sussex County, De.; and here he continued his labours
tUl November, 1769. It is due to historic truth to state that his mani-
fold trials, in connection no doubt with the prevailing ftshion of moderate
and even immoderate drinking, led Mr. Tennent to excessive indulgence in
this way, until the case attracted public attention, and finally brought him
into painful relations with his Presbytery. The facts, as they are presented
in a document before me, while Uiey are highly monitory, are fitted to
awaken the deepest sympathy. His health gradually declined during sev-
eral of his last years, and he died on the 25th of February, 1771, aged fifty-
nine years.
Charles Tennent had a son, William Mackay, who became a distin-
guished mmister. He was graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1768,
and began to preach when he was in his twenty-third year. He was ordained
on the 17th of June, 1772, as pastor of the Congregational church in
Gbreenfield, Conn. In December, 1781, he resigned his charge, and aooepted
an invitation from the Pr^byterian church in Abington, near Philadelphia,
where he continued till his death, which took place about the beginnmg of
December, 1810. He was one of the Trustees of the College of New Jersq^
from 1786 till 1808, when he resigned his office. He received the degree
of Doctor of Divinity from Yale College in 1704. He was Moderator of
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1707. His wife was a
daughter of the Bev. Dr. Hodgers of New York. Dr. Alexander, who
knew him personally, represents him as '* a man of great .sweetaess of tem-
1^ and politeness of manner," and as *' distinguished for his hospitality.'*
Be states also that, during his last illness, which was protracted, theingh
WILLIAM TEKKEHT. 27
not attended with mnoh pain, lie was **ble88ed witfi an nninterrapted anau^
ranee of the &vonr of Ood." An Addreea was deUyered at Ub fdneral
bj the Bey. Dr. Green of Philadelphia, whioh was published.
THE McGREGORES *
Jamb, 1718—1729.
David, 1787—1777.
Jamxs MoGrsqors receiyed a thorough okssieal and theological ednea*
tion, and had the care of a Soot's PreBbyterian Ohnroh in the North of
Ireland. The Bufferings to whioh Protestants were there subjected, in
oonnection with his ineztinguishable lote of religious liberty, led him, with
three other ministers, and a part of their respeotiye congregations, to
migrate to this oountry. As they were on the eye of embarking, he
addressed a discourse to them, on the text — *' If thy presence go not with
me, carry us not up hence."
Mr. McGregore, with about one hundred fiunilies, arriyed at Boston, on
the 14ih of October, 1718. The next winter he spent at Dracut ; and, in
the spring following, sixteen of the families who had accompanied him from
Ireland, commenced a settlement on a tract of land near Hayerhill, whioh
was then called Nutfield, but which they named Londonderry. Mr.
McGhregore now joined the party from whom he had been temporarily
separated, and on the 12th of April preached to them, under a large oak
tree, the first sermon eyer deliyered in that plaoe, from Isaiah xxxii. 2.
The spot is known, and regarded with yeneration, to this day.
As soon as the setUers had become organized as a religious Society, they
proceeded according to the order of the Presbyterian Church, to inyite Mr.
McChregore to become their pastor. He accepted their call; but, as no
Presbytery then existed in New England, the formality of an installation
was d^ensed with. On a day appointed for the purpose, the people met,
and he solemnly assumed the pastoral charge of the church and congrega-
tion,— ^they in turn recognising him as their pastor and spiritual guide. He
preached to them on the occasion from this yery appropriate text — " More-
oyer, I will make a eoyenant of peace with them ; and it shall be an
eyerlasting eoyenant with them ; and I will place them and multiply them,
and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them foreyermore."
There is a tradition that it was through the influence of Mr. MeGregore
with the Marquis de Yaudrdl, then Gbyemor of Oanada, that the Oolony,
at an early period, was signally preseryed from sayage depredation. The
two are sail to haye beoi intimate friends and oorrespondentB ; and the
Goyempr, from respect to the wishes of his friend, directed the Oatholio
priests to oharge the Indians not to molest or injure any of these people, as
ihey were different from the EngUsh ; and to assure them that not only
would no bounty be paid for their Boalps, but that the sm of murdering
•Ftafcer*0 Hfft. LtmaoBdmnrj.-^Ta^i Great Awakttiiing. — KB. ftm B«y. %.
28 FRESBTTEBIAK.
any of them would not be foTg^ren. Sueh ib the tradition ; and there $n
some cironmBtaDoes that gire to it, to say the leaat, an air of probability.
The ohnrch of which Mr. HoGregore became pastor, was the first Pres-
byterian ohnroh in New England. It is not known how many composed
it originally, but its increase was eyidenily rapid. At a Communion season
in 1728, there were one hundred and siz^ communicants ; at another, a
few months later, two hundred and thirty ; and at the one immediately
preceding his death, three hundred and seventy-fiYe.
Mr. MoGregore died, from a yiolent attack of feyer, on the 6th of
March, 1729, aged fifby-two. His Funeral Sermon was preached by the
Bey. Samuel Phillips of Andover, from Zachariah i. 5.
Dr. Belknap, in his History of New Hampshire, represents him as ** a
wise, affectionate and fidthful guide to his people, both in dyil and reli-
gious matters."
The Bey. E. L. Parker, in his History of Londonderry, says, —
'* HIa name and memorj were most tenderly cherished by his bereayed flock, and
snooeeding generations; sod the effects of his labonrs among them were long and
widely felt. He poflsessed a robatt oonstitntion, and had enjoyed firm and onintermpted
health* He had never been visited with sickness, until seised with that which termi-
nated his life. Tbongh at the time bat a youth, he was among the brave defenders of
Londonderry in Ireland, end discharged from the tower of the Cathedral the large gnn
which announced the approach of the vessels that broaght them relief. * * From
traditional remarks, as well as (Vom some few mannacripts of his which have been
preserved, we are led to consider him a man of disthigoished talents, both natural and
acquired. He evidently possessed a vigorous and discriminating mind. He was
strictly evangelical in his doctrinal views, and pecnliarW apiritnal and experimental in
Us preaching. During his short but severe sickness, he manifested a firm unshaken
ftuth in the Saviour, and a lively hope of his interest in the promises of the Gospel.
In the immediate prospect of death, he remarked to those around him that he trusted
he had known Ohxist Arom the fourteenth year of his age, and would cheerfUly confide
to his hands his immortsl interests. * * * His personal appearance was com-
manding; his stature tall and erect; his complexion rather dark; and his countenance
expressive."
In October, 1706, Mr. HoOregore was married to Marion Oargill, in
Londonderry, Ireland. They had ten children, seven of whom, with their
mother, survived him.
Dayid MoGrxoobs was the third son of the Rev. James McGregore,
and was bom in Ireland, November 6, 1710. He receiyed his literary and
theological education, chiefly under the direction of the Bey. Matthew
Qlark,* his father's successor in the ministry. A new parish, called the
West pariah in Londonderry, having been formed, he was invited to take the
pastoral charge of it. He was ordained in 1787 ; but the Society of which he
became pastor was not actually incorporated till 1789. A controveray soon
arose between the old and new parish, which lasted nearly forty years.
In the *' great awakening " that took place in 1741, Mr. McOregore felt
a deep interest, and took an aotiye part. He visited Boston and some other
• Mattbbw Olaxk eame to this ocnmtry from Inland, soon after the death of the e|der
tf eGiegore, and Immediately repaired to Londondexrf , where ho fomd many of Ma eomtiyiiien
end former aoqval^^oe. At the reqncst of the ohnroh and ooDgregatton> he ooDsented to
Aj the poipt, and take the pastoral oare of the people, t)ioDg^ he was not fonnally installed.
J A fine seholar, he offielated also as aa instmoter in the Mgher hninehes of ednealion.
Thong^ aboat seven^ yean of age, when he oeme to this oouitry, he oontinoed to lAbonr in
the nu^istry with great vigoor for more than six yeaxa. He had scared as an otBoerin the Pro-
testant army, dniug the dvfl eonmiotioDS in Ireland, and reoeived a weond in the memonhle
seige of LoDdondeny ; ha^ after thoee agitations bad snhsided, he quit the militaiy sernee*
and prepared himself to wield the sword of the Spirit. He was thoroogfalT Oalvfaiistie in his
leUcioiis views, genial in }ili» temper. Independent in his feelings and retailed a good deal of
the martia] nbU as long as he lived. He mairicd, as his thbd wSft;, the widow <? his prsde-
•essor. HedledJanvaiySS, 178ft, aged seventy-slz.
THE MoGREGOHES. 29
plaoes vhdre ih& reyiyal preyailed, and returned to hb people with a fall
purpose to do what he oonld, by the Diyine blessing, to bring abont a
similar state of things in his o?m charge. He aocordinglj deliyered a
series of very impressire discoarses from Ephesians y. 14, — '* Awake, then
that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Ohrist will give thee light.*'
With this effort commenced a renmrkable awakening among his own people,
which resulted in large additions to the church. Mr. McGregore showed
himself a firm friend to the reyival of that period, and, as an evidence of
it, his name appears affixed to the Teadmony of an Assembly of pastors at
Boston, July 4, 1743, expressing their belief *' that there had been a happy
and remarkable revival of religion m many parts of the land, through an
uncommon Divine influence.'* And, in a letter accompanying his Testi-
mony, afterwards published in Prince's History, he says, —
" For my own part, I have seen little or no appearanoe of the growth of Antinomian
errors, or any thing visionary or enthnaiastic, either in my own congregation, or
among the people in the neighhoarhood where I live. Indeed, if asserting Justification
hY fUth alone, and denying it by the law, as a covenant of words, while the eternal
obligation of the law, as a role of life, is strongly maintained in practice as well as
prufiB88ion,-^if this. I say, be Antinomtsn doctrine, then we have a great growth of
Antinomianism. Again, if asserting the necessity of sapematural inflnenpe or Divine
eneigy in conversion, or the reality of the immediate witnessing and sealing of the
Spiin, be enthnsiasm. then we have a remarkable spread of enthusiasm; and, in these
senses, may Antinomianinn and enthusiasm grow more and more, till they overspread
the whole land."
In January, 1755, the Presbyterian congregation in the city of New
York gavo a call to Mr. McQregore to become their pastor. This call was
regularly prosecuted before his Presbytery, which met at Pelham in April
of that year, and afterwards at Boston in May following. Mr. McOregore,
partly on account of his strong attachment to his own people, and partly
from a conviction that the divided state of the church to which he was
called, gave little promise of either ministerial comfort or usefulness,
declined the call. In 1764, he received the degree of Master of Arts from
the Oollege of New Jersey.
Mr. McGregore did not survive his active usefulness. The last Sabbath
that he spent on earth was a Oommunion season in his church. He
preached on that occasion with his accustomed interest and animation, and
then, exhausted by the effort, was carried out of the house. He was able,
however, after a short time, to return and conclude the services ; and this
was the last meeting which he had with his people. He died in the utmost
peace, on the Friday following. May 80, 1777, aged sixty-eight years. The.
Funeral Discourse was preached by the Bev. Dr. Whitaker, pastor of the
Tabernacle Church in Salem, from II, Kings ii. 12.
The following is a list of Mr. McOregore's publications : — ^A Sermon
entitled «' Professors warned of their danger," 1741. The Spirits of iher
present day tried : A Sunday evening Lecture at Boston, 1741. A Sermon
entitled ** The believers all secured," 1747. The Christian Soldier : A
Sermon at the ordination of Alexander Boyd,* 1754. A Sermon on the
death of the Bev. John Moreheadt 1778.
•ALBZAirom BoTD studied ThoolMr^ at the TTnivenlty of QUagaw, and oama to this eoontqr,
probably, eariy In 1748. In Jane of that year, at the niggeeUon of Mr. UeGmgan, he was
taken under the eare of the Boiton Preebytoy, wad, having gone throng the prwoibed trialay
waa Uoenaed to preaoh the Ooepel. He was lent to preach flnt at MifeCown. Me., and in
Aognst, 1749, he reoelTed a call to settle In that piMe. Bat the Presbyteiy, haTlng In the
■Man time heard some onikToorable reports from Scotland respeetlng him,— ^rhen the eaU eama
into their handa^ xetnmed It to tha chardh, and dted their candidate to appear beJEgre them.
30 FBSSBTTEBIAN.
The. Ber. B. L. Parker writeB thus oonpeming Mr. Bayid McOregore :--
* He was greatly raapeeted, and his death idnoerelT lamented hy the jpeople of hfa
charge. He stood deserredly high hi pnUlc estfanatlon, as a preacher and a dirfaie.
Few, If any, then npon the stage, were oonsidered his superiors. His praise, as a bold,
fUthfU, snoeeasftil minister, was in all the snrronndhig chnrches, and his serricea
eegerly soo^t. Though not fkyonred with a ooDeglate education, yet under the pri-
vate instruction of Rev. Mr. Clark, and by his*greafc assiduity and application in the
acquisition of knowledge, he became a scribe well Instructed unto the Kingdom of
Heaven, and was able at all times and on all occasions to bring forth out of his treas-
ure things new and old. He was an animated and bteresting preacher. His pulpit
talents were considered superior to those of his father. His yolce was ftill and com-
manding, his delivery solemn and impressive, and his sentiments clear and evangeli-
cal . His house of worship was usually thronged. Many flxnn the neighbouring towns
attended regularly upon his ministry. He excelled not only as a preacher but as a
pastor. In the discharge of parochial duties, especially hi catechlshig his flock, he
was eminently distlnguidied. ... He possessed in an eminent degree, a spirit of firm-
ness and independence, which deterred him fh>m shrinking firom duty on account of
apparent danger or difficulty."
Mr. McGregore was married to Mary Boyd, a lady of fine personal
appearance and aooomplishments, who, biYbg been early left an orphan,
was brought np by his mother. She died September 28, 1798, aged
seventy. They had nine children. One son, Bi^trt^ was aid-de-oamp to
Qeneral Stark, at the surrender of Bnrgoyne. Another son, David^ was
graduated at Dari;mouth College in 1774, held the office of Captain in the
Bevolution, afterwards engaged in the business of teaohing, and died in
1827. A third son, James^ settled in Londonderry, was in the earlier part
of his life much engaged in public business, sustaining not only the office
of a magistrate, but various offices of Uie town, and was for some years a
Bepresentative in the General Court. He posessed a well endowed and
well cultivated mind. He died much lamented on the 28d of June, 1818,
aged seventy.
EBENEZER PRIME.
1719—1779,
FBOM THE BEY. SAMUEL I. PRIME, D. D.,
Kaw YoKK, April 26, 1852.
My dear Sir: I send you, agreeably to your request, the following notioe,
from suoh materials as I have been able to gather, of my venerable great-
grandfather. As there is nobody now living who remembers him, I have
to depend of course chiefly upon family records and traditions.
The Primes came firom England, — three brothers of them, in the latter
hatf of the seventeenth century. One settled in Bowley, Mass.; and firom
him descended the Primes who have been known in the mercantile mrcles
Upon hlf mMng what aaamed Moltent Mlmowledgmflttti of the ib with wUbh he mm obaised,
tho PiMbjtny MDtfaiiied Idi lieoifa, •i the Mm* timis ■dndaiftarhig to him % ihMp relmko.
Afkn » whfle, 1m Ntnnied to QtmwtUmn, and hi Jane, 17(0, th« people fenewed their eeU to
Mm, end about the emie time he wi alio favited to Battle at JTeweertle, Me. The Predbytanr
reeommendedboth oaUi tohlaeonaiderationi Imthe thoai^tprofMrtodedhietliemb^ In
ltd* the eaU from Cteorgetown was a aeoond thne renewal and, m Noramber of that year, he
aaemtad it; DiflBenltlea, howaTer, aioae, either on the part of the people or of the Preabjteiy,
wUflh prevented hia beooming the paator of that ohvroh. In 1764, he aoaepted a oall from the
ehnroh in Newoaotle, and, aa a matter of oonrenienoe, waa ordained at Newboiypoit, on the
19th of SeptenOMT of that year. HeremafaiedatNewoaatle, oonatantly faiTolTedlndifioQltiea,
iml laboQiIng to Tery little aeoeptanoe, nntil the latter part of the year 1708, when hli diamia-
rion waa finaUy eifeated. I And no tn^e of Um afteiwarda.
EBEHEZSB PBIMK. 31
of New York for ihe last fifty years. Another went to North Oardinay
and the name is there perpetuated to this day. A third brother was one
of the first settlers of the old town of Hilford, Conn. Of this last men«
tioned brother, whose name was James^ my great-grandfather was the second
son, and was bom July 21, 0. S., 1700. The stormy period of the Bevo-
Intionary war destroyed the reoordiTof those oarly years, of which I should be
glad to say more than is now possible ; for I can learn nothing of his yoathful
training till he graduated at Yale College in 1718. He was probably
licensed to preach by an Association in Oonnecticnt, yery shortly after his
graduation ; for, at the early age of nineteen, he was preaching at Hunting-
ton, L. I., as an assistant to the Rer. Eliphalet Jones,* pastor of the
church of that town. After a senrice in this oi^acity of four years, he was
ordained as colleague of Mr. Jones, by a council of ministers, half of them
from Connecticut, and half from the Eastern part of Long Island. Hap-
pily settled over his first, and as it pleased God, his only, charge, he took
to himself a wife— Margaret Sylyester, of Shelter Island, October 2, 1728.
She died September 26, 1726 ; leaving two children. He was subsequently
married to Experience, daughter of Benjamin Young of Southoldl She
died January 1, 1784, — the mother of three children. The eldest child,
bearing his Other's name, was a lovely youth, remarkable for his piety.
While a member of Yale College, but at home during vacation, he fell sick
and died, having completed his eighteenth year. After seventeen solitary
years, Mr. Prime was married, a third time, to Mrs. Hannah Carle, a
widow, who died February 9, 1776.
Only one of the children by either marriage, and he a child of the second
wife, left motherless at the age of three weeks, survived the fitther. His
name was Ber^amin Young Prime, He was bom December 20, 1788 ;
entered the College of New Jersey, then in its cradle at Newark, in July,
1748, and graduated at Princeton in 1751. After pursuing the study and
praetice of medicine several years, he became a Tutor in the College at
which he graduated in 1766, and continued in the office about a year. In
1762, he went to Europe for the purpose of enjoying higher advantages
than our country then afforded, for the study of medical science. After a
residence abroad of between two and three years, he took his degree in
medicine at the University of Leyden, on which occasion he delivered a
Latin Dissertation which was published there in a handsome quarto pamph-
let. He became a highly accomplished scholar, — eminent for his mathemat-
ical, philosophical and classical attainments. He was in the habit of writ-
ing with great facility both prose and poetry, in the Hebrew, Greek, Latin,
French, and Spanish languages ; and in the opening of the Bevolutionaiy
struggle, his patriotic and popular songs spread like wildfire over the land,
and helped to kindle the sparks of liberty into a flame. In the Curiomties
of American Literature, appended by Dr. Ghriswold to D'Israeli's Colleo-
• Blipkalst Jovjm ii foppoiad to hftve beoii a son of the Rot. Mr. Jones, wbo mi eplieo-
pall7 ordalnod In Bnglaiid, oeme to this eoimtrr at an euiy period, and beeame the Siit niiidf-
ter of FaiiSold, Conn. ; hat, in eoueqnenee of the bnrniDf of the Snt Beoordi of VaiiSeld,
neither the time of hit initallation. nor of his death, eaa aow be asoertalned. He, EUpkaUt,
msborn atOoneord, Mass., in the year 1640. He wasinrlted to Hnntingtoa in Jaanai^
1676, having proTioasly deelined an imitation to the eonnegation of' Janalea. He was, at tlnl
time, roeiding at Greenwleh, Conn. After some hesltatton, he eonsented to spoid a year idth
the people, and at the end of that time was settled with great nnanimllj. He oontlnoed In
thai relation more than half a eentoiy, and died Jvne 6, 1781, In the ninety-flnt year of Ms
age. He is said to hare been ''a man of great parity and simpUelty of mannen, and a fiiith*
{b1 and saeoessftil preaeber.'*
82 FBSSBTTESIAV.
tion, among the BeYolntionaiy odes tod flon^i, ibme of Dr. Prime's ue
gidieied, — ^more remerkable, kowerer, for petriotie feding than poetioal
^ After hie reium from Europe in 1764, be became a practitioner of modi*
cine and aorgeiy in tbe ci^ of New Tork; bat, after a few yean, being
the only sorTinng son of hia &ther, who was then becoming infirm, he
returned to Huntington, and resomed his residence with his fiiiher; where
Voth employed the little leisure which tbeir respectiye professions afforded,
in the pursuits of elegant letters, for which their tastes and education admi-
nbly fitted theuL. Dr. Prime lired through the Reyolutionary war, and
died suddenly, October 81, 1791, leaving two sons and three daughters.
The youngest son is tbe Her. Nathaniel Scudder Prime, D. D., who still
surriyes in a green old age.*
•TUtTcnenUamui, liBee tliit tottar fkom Ut Km wm wiittm, bM ben ntfiarad to liii
fkAma. He WM bora In HimUiigtoii, L. I., on the SUt of April, 1786. He Inherited ftom
hie frther and gnadfbUier a teete for Utten, wbidi he enltlTnted thrangh Ulb, and tiWM^
tohiapoeterit/. In 1800, he flnt embraoed Chrietienity, m he beUe^in ite life end nower.
^nohpond end Smithtown; end, in 1813, beeeme the peetor oflhe Preebyterien Chnrah In
Genbndge, K. Y. Here lie epeni neeriy twenty jmn of eminent neeftilniMi oxeiting a pow-
mM, innenee thitmgh the whole region in the lerenl depaKtmenta of leentng, beneToLcnee,
and reiicion. After a paetorate of aeyenteen yeen in Ounbridge, he was Indnoed to ti^e
lof alif ' "
ehaneof alitoniy inetitntion in thai plaoe, where he beeeme greatlj diatiDgoiahed
teeener, While, at the Mme time, Ua aenrieea aa a preaoher were almoat eonatantly pot in
HbllS^'he reBMTod to Sing Sing, H. T., to take ehavge of the Moral Pleaaant Aeademy,
and aopplled the Preefcjtcrien Chmeh there for two Toen. He eetabliihfd at the aune plaee a
laige Mid Sovriahlng Vemale Senrinair. In Horember, 1886, he rcBM»v«d thia Seminuy to
Kewbvifa, wlwre he reaided ehieST for nearly eight jmn* In April, 1848, he removed to
Wmiaamhois; In Anril, 1840, toKewark, K. J.{ in May, 1847, to BiUaton Spa, where bo
preeehed aa a atated anpply for abont two yeara; in Deeember, 1840, to Seotohtown; and in
' - -^-- ' -^'^'^ ' " »0etober,186^hean»pliedtheint
r aappUed at Torkrille. I>aring a
, for aerenl montha, at Hontington,
to the booee of hia aon-in-law, Mr.
A. P. Caannlnfli, where be died in great peeoe on tbe S7th of Mareb, 1856.
He waa a Troatee of Middlebnry Conege tnm 18»tol8S0; and of Wffliama Conece, from
182S to 1881. Tbe degree of Doetor of I)irinit7 waa eonfeired upon him b7 the College of
Hew Jera^ In 1848.
Tha faUkming la a liat of Dr. Prlme^a poblieatlona t— The penieiona effeeCa of Intemperanae
in the nae of atdent apirlta: A Sermon de!i?ered at the opening of the Prea^tery of Long
Uaad, at Aqnebogne, 1811. An Addrem before the Oambridge Branoh of the Moral Sodety
of tfaa Comity of Waafaington, 1816. Dirine Trath the eatabliahed meana of fianeiiSeation :
A Sormon ddlTerad at the Amraal meeting of the Waafaington Connty Bible Society, 1817. A
SunflfaHT iOvatratlon of Chriatian Baptlam, in whieh the proper an^eeta of that ordinanoe and
the mode of admlnlatratlon are aaeertalned from the Word of God and the Hiatory of the
Chnveh, and defended from the oljeetlona naoally nrged by the opponcnta of Infimt Baptlam
and tho adroeatea of Immeitioo, 1818. The year of JobOeo, but not to Afrioanat A Sermon
dettrered on the forty-ninth AnnlTermry of Amerioan Independenee, 18i6. Charge to the
Ber.Saaniel Irenmoa Prime, dellTered at hia Inatallation aa Paator of the FInt Prnbyteriaa
(Aanh In Mattewaa, 1887. A Hiatory of Long laland from ita fliat letaement by Bnropwma
•otha7earl846, wIthapeeialrefereneetoitaeeQicelaaCioaloonoerna, 1846.
On the 6th of Jnly, IMS, he wu married to Jnlia Ann, dangbter of Mi^or John Jermain of
Sag Hatbonr, L. I. Th^ had lOTen ehildren,— Ato aona and two daadbten. Two of bla aona
baiiame etersrmon, one of whom la the Rer. I)r. Prime, Editor of the Mew Tork Obaerrer.
I knew the rmierable Dr. Prime gnite well daring the latter yeaii of bla life, and alwaya
regaided him aa a noble apeeUnen of a man and a nunliter. He waa oompaetly bnilt, rather
lamined to be atont, had a Sne IntelUgent faoe, waa qnlok and ea^ in bla morementa, and moat
agreeable In oonToraatlon. He had a mind of onoommon foree and dlasrimlnaKai; a nobleand
I aplrit; almple and engaging mannera; an faninoible SrmneH In adhering to hia own
a—riattoui; an earneet derotlon to the beat intereetaof hia feUowmen: an exoeOent talent
Ihr tfaa pnlpit) grant taet at pnblle bnalneaB; and a remarkably graoeftil ftoOlty at mlM^faut In
• deUbatalt^bodT. In priTatehebad thegentteneHof a Jamb; bvt aometfana^ in pSOa
iotata^ the lamb diaappeaied, and the lion aame fat Ite plaoe.
SBENBZBB PBDCE. 33
To reClini td the main robjeoft of mj namiiFe. With the we^;ht of
inoreaaing yean and inereaamg laboora, Mr. Prime began to feel the need
of aaabtanoe. As he had been eettled originally as a ooUeagne with hia
predeoeaaor, ao now an associate was songht for him ; and the Key. John
Olose* was set apart to that work, October 80, 1766. He continued to
labour with Mr. Prime nearly se^en years ; but in 1778 was dismissed.
Prom thU time onward, the aged paator had no regular aid in the ministry.
Though he .was rerj infirm, the state of the congregation, distracted by the
war of the Bevolution, rendered it impracticable to provide him any relief.
The invasion of the enemy compelled the pastor and his son, with their
fimiilies, to fly from their home : throwing their plate into a well, from
which it was recovered when the war was over, and taking irith them only
what they could m^t readily carry in their hands. The son, with his
young fftmily, fled from the Ldand, and his aged father found an asylum in
a retired part of the town.
'* Though the whole Island, especially the Western parts, suffered greatly
from the insolence and oppression of the soldiery, and still more from the
depredations of the Tories, under their authority and protection, no town was
subjected to equal outrages on their feelings and property with Huntington.
The seats in the house of God were torn up, and ihe building converted bto
a military depot. The bell was taken away, and, though afterwards res-
tored, it was so injured as to be useless. Subsequently, (1782,) when the
contest was virtually ended, the church was entirely pulled down, and the
timber used to construct barracks and block houses for the troops, one of
the former being erected on Mr. Prime's home lot, directly overlooking his
hoose. And to wound the feelings of the inhabitants most deeply, tiiese
structures were erected in the centre of the burybg ground, the graves
levelled, and the tomb-stones used for building their fire places and ovens.
I have often heard old men testify, from the evidence of their own senses,
that they had seen the loaves of bread drawn out of these ovens, with the
reversed inscriptions of the tomb-stones of their friends on the lower crust.
"The redoubtable commander in these sacril^ous proceedings was
Oolonel Benjamin Thompson, a native of Massachusetts, and the same man
who was afterwards created by the Duke of Bavaria, .and known to the
world as Count Bumford. But ids acts in this place have given him an
immortality, which sll his military exploits, philosophical disquisitions, and
scientific discoveiies will never secure to him, among the descendants of
this outraged community. It would seem that, during the whole war, ntf
9tone was left unturned to annoy the persons, and injure the property, of
the inhabitants. Their orchards were cut down, (Mr. Prime's among the
first,) their fences bumedt and the scanty crops which they were able to
raise under these embarrassments, were often seised by lawless force for the
use of the soldiers, or ruthlessly destroyed to gratify their malice. The
aged pastor of the Congregation, while he lived, was peculiarly obnoxious to
the enemy, on account of his known patriotic views and feelings. When
the troops first entered the town, at an early period after the battle of
Long Island, the officers housed their horses in his stable* and littered them
• Jonr Oiioia wai gndnatad at tb« CdUeM of Ntw Jmufj In 1768. After ralanliur Us
«lMigii M HmiUniiton, h« ftnMred to N«w Windior, N. T., and, withoai being &wli3l«l,
pneehed there, end in the nelghbowing plaeee, from 1778 to 1790. He ■flerwudi redded at
Wftterford,. whore lie dl^ in laiS.
Vol. ni. 5
84 PBESB7TBBIAH.
with Bheaves of u&tliresbed wheat, wkioh they did not need, taaring leaTes
ont of hia mo0t valuable books, or oas^g one Tolome of a set into tbe fire,
to render them valoelesB, without taldng the trouble to destroy the whole.
While recording these worse than Tandal transaotions, I am sitting in the
identioal chair which my grand&ther occupied before me, and wUch still
bears the deep marks of British outrage. And I have books lying before
me, with the impress of the same savage hands upon their mutilated covers
and leaves."*
The aged patriarch, when sinking under the numerous afflictions of a long
and laborious life, — ^dow approximating to fourscore years, having deserted
his own dwellbg, was compelled to live in retirement, and die an exile in a
solitary neighbourhood of his congregation. But even here he was neither
inactive nor unhappy. In his diary under date of Ajagaai 2, 1779, (only
two months before his death,) we find the following record: — " Through
the good hand of Qod upon me, I have lived to the close of my seventy-
ninth year, and am entered upon my eightieth year, this being my birth day,
according to the new style. What a monument am I of sparing mercy!"
On the 25th of September, (or, according to another account, on the 8d of
October,) he entered into Ids rest. He was buried in the old grave yard,
the outrages upon which, a &w years aflerwards, I have already dotted;
and tradition has handed down to us the following incident, which testifies
to my ancestor's patriotism, and the distinction it earned for him in those
days of trial. When OoL Thompson, (Count Bumford,) with a detach-
ment of the enemy, took up their quarters in the Huntington grave yard,
the Colonel pitched his marque at the head of my ancestor's grave, in order,
as lie said, that he might have the pleasure of treading under foot the old
rebels every time he went out or in.
Mr. Prime, according to the testimony of his contonporaries, was '*a
man of sterling character, of powerful intellect, and possessed the reputa-
tion of an able and fkithfol divine." He was a man of great system in all
his habits, public and private. Having gathered around hiln a large and
valuable library, he was constantly adding to the stores of his own learn-
ing, and enriching the minds of his people with the fruits of his patient,
unremittiog labour. It appears from a register which he kept till the dose
of his life, that he had written nearly four thousand sermons. He had
some peculiar views on the subject of the Oospel commission. Believing,
as he did, that the same qualifications and authority were required to preadi
the Gospel as to administer its ordinances, he would not consent to license
men to preach, without, at the same time, ordaimng them to the ministry.
These views he defended in two sermons, and several members of the Pres-
bytery of Suffolk adopted the same. His opinion on this subject was sub-
sequently «so fur modified by the paucity of ministers, and the necessities of
the times, that he did* before the dose of his life, admit licentiates to preach
in his pulpit ; but he would never allow them to pronounce the benediction,
which he considered an official act, in as hi^ a sense as the administration
of special ordinanoes.
Mr. Prime was eminendy devotional in his spirit, and earnest and suc-
cessful in his work. He sympathised deeply, and his people shared largely,
in the great revivals which took place in his day, especially that in 1741.
•TIm abofft psnsi^lM an fnn tlie p«B of bbj ftthtry B«v. Dr. Ptiiiit.
BBS9BZSS FBDCB. fig
In Us diaty he has deteiled WKaj interestiiig freta m oonaeotidD with these
periods, which show that a rioh blesnng attaiided his lahoozs.
Mr. Prime published A Diseoune on the nature of Ordination, deHyered
immediately prerioos to the ordination of Mr. Benjamin Tallmadge,*
It would be easy to extend this notice of my Tenerable anoestor, but as
I suppose that I hare written enough for yoor purpose, I will only add that
I am very sinoerdy yours,
S. I. PRIME.
GILBERT TENNENT.f
1726—1764.
OiLBXBT TxHNBNT, the ddest son of the Sot. William Tennent, Senior,
was bom in the County of Armagh, Ireland, February 5, 1708. He was
about fourteen years old, when his fiUher migrated to America. He received
his education under the paternal roof, and afterwards asristed his father in
oonducting the education of others. The honorary degree of Master of Arts
was conforred upon him by Yale Ooll^o in 1725. His first permanent
religious impressions were receiyed in Us fifteenth year, through the exer-
tions of his father, on his passage across the Atlantic ; but it was seyeral
years before he gained comfortable eridence of being spiritually renewed.
In this interval, he pursued a course of theological reading, and subse-
quently dcTOted a year to the study of medicine, under an apprehension
that his spiritual state would not justify his entering the ministry. But,
about 1724 or 1725, his experience became more decided and satisfactory,
so that he had no longer any doubt that he was called to preach the (Gospel;
and, in due Ume, he presented himself as a candidate to the Presbytery of
Philadelphia, of which his father was a member. In Ids trisls bdbre the
Presbytery, he appeared to uncommon advantage, and was licensed to
preach in May, 1726. Shortly after his licensure, he preached for some
time at Newcastle, De., and receiyed a call to settle there; but he took
his leave so abruptly as to excite no smsll displeasure among the people.
The congregation and the Presbytery of Newcastie complidned to the
Synod on the subject, and a letter was produced declaring his acceptance
of the calL The Synod decided thai hb conduct was too hasty, and the
Moderator reproved him, and exhorted him to greater caution in future.
He is said to have reoeived the rebuke with great meekness. He was
ordained at New Brunswick, by the Philadelphia Presbytery, in the autumn
of 1726. He would have been called, shortly after, to Norwalk, Oonn.,
had not the Fairfield Association interposed their judgment that he ought
not to be taken from **80 destitute s r^on as the Jersies." Prom the
• BavJAMiv Tau.kab«b wm Ibcn in Hew HaT«B, Coui., Jt^xmrj 1, ITtt; waf gmdflnted
ftt TaM ColUs* in 1747s vaf oHainedaiidiBgUUadpMloror Om ahoidi In Braokbftfw, L. I.,
OelolMrSS, 1764; vaf tedMd Jnne 16, 1785; aaddtod VabniMy 6, 1786, agsd dxlj.«M
jMo. Ho«M»SMMhaterandMinia«diTfaM. H« «m Om tellMr of tha Into OoIomI Bm-
■^Dr. KiOgf^ 8«nnoa on hk telli.-€MmM» Hilt. OoD.— Aanb. Wat. Kh* L— Bilk.
LoC Oon^Wabrter'i MSS.
j3Q nUSSBTTRBIAV*
oonunenoemeni of bis ttdnifltrj, Ub pieibhiiig exoited great alte&tion; and
hb popular and oommanding powers were acknowledged, eren by tboee wbo
diareliabed tbe dootrinee be preadied, or iboogbl bim cbargeable witb undue
aeTerity.
Wben be setded at New Brunswiek, be found tbere aeveral very godly
persons, wbo bad been brougbt into tbe oburob under tbe ministry of tbe
Bey. Tbeodore Jacobus Vrelingbuysen, — one of tbe most eminent ministers
of tbe Beformed Dutcb Gburcb; and ibat excellent man sent bim a letter
on "tbe necessity of rigbtly dividing tbe word," wbiob made a powerful
impression on Us mind, and greatly quickened bis seal in bis Master's
cause. During tbe first year and a balf after bis settlement, tbougb be was
mucb admired as an able and impressiYc preacber, tbere seems to bave been
little visible fruit from bis labours. A seyere illness, wbiob occurred about
tbe close of tbat period, brougbt bim into tbe attitude of deep bumiliation
in view of bis want of success, and, from tbat time, be became fai more
earnest and pungent in bis preacbing, and bad tbe pleasure soon to witness
a corresponding cbange in tbe state of bis congregation.
In 1788, be laid before tbe Synod *<sun^ large letters," wbicb bad
passed between bim and tbe Bcy. David Cowell of Trenton, in regard to
tbe true motive tbat sbould influence our obedience to God ; — ^wbetber it
sbould be wboUy a desire for bis glory, or wbetber tbere sbould also be a
desire for our own bappiness; — in otber words, wbetber disinterested
benevolence is tbe essence of boliness. Tbe large committee, to wbom tbe
papers were referred, beard botb parties, and delayed tbeir decision for a
year. Tbe result to wbicb tbey came, did not satisfy Tennent; and be
again btroduced tbe matter m 1740, but tbe Synod, by a large majority,
refused to consider it. Tbis be represented, in a paper wbicb be read a few
days after, on tbe deplorable state of tbe ministry, as sanctioning tbe doctrine
tbat tbere is no difference between seeking tbe glory of God and our own
bappiness, and tbat self-love is tbe foundation of all obedience.
In tbe year 1740, be was prevailed on by Wbitefield to accompany bim
on a '* preacbing tour" to Boston ; and tbis tour undoubtedly constituted
one of tbe great events of Us life. Witb a fixedness of purpose wbicb was
proof agunst all obstacles, be set off, in tbe winter season, to visit a part
of tbe country wbere be was an entire stranger, and wbere be knew Us
ministrations must prove to many exceedingly unwelcome. He reacbed
Boston on tbe 18tb of December, and continued tbere for nearly tbree
montbs, preacbing almost every day witb great power, and producbg of
course a divided public opinion corresponding to tbat wbicb already existed
in respect to tbe labours of WUtefield. Tbe effect of Us preacbing in
Boston is tbus described by tbe Bev. Mr. Prince, minister of tbe Old Soutb
Gburcb, and tbe well known autbor of tbe Gbristian History: —
" It was both terrible and tesrchinff. It was for matter Joatly terrible, as be,
acoordixig to the inspired oraclM, exhibited the dreadful holineaa, Jostioe. law-threat-
enfaigs, truth, power and maienty of God, and hia anger with rebelUoiu, impenitent and
Ohriittesi sinners; the awftil danger they were in eyery moment of being atmck down
to hell, and damned finreyer, with tlie amasing miseries of that place of torment. By
bis arousing and apirftual preaching, deep and pnngent convictions were wrought in
the minds of many hundreds of persons in that town; and the same effect was pro-
duced in sereral acores. In the neigbbouring congregations. And now wa^ such a time
as we nerer knew. Tbe Rev. ICr. Gooper was wont to say that more came to him in
one week fai deep concern, than in the whole twenty-four years of his preceding ministry.
I csn say also the nme as to the numbers who repaired to me."
OILBBBT TBHVBNT. 87
It ippeavB from a letter whioh Mr. Tennent addreMed to WliiteAeU,
preeeTYed in Gillies* Historioal OoUeotioQBy that a aimilac effeet attended
his preaching daring his whole tour; and that, not only in the repon of
Boston, bat at New Haren and Milford in Oonneodont as well as on Long
Island, there were moltitades addressing themselTes with the otmost anxiety
and earnestness to ^e work of their salvation.
Mr. Tennent had maeh to do in bringing aboat the division of the Pres-
byterian Ohoreh, in 1741 : indeed it was owing, in a great measnre, to his
indiscreet and impetaoas coarse, end especially to one sermon csUed the
** Nottingham Sermon," which Pr. Alexander declares to be ** one of the
most severely abasive sermons that was ever penned,*' that that schism
occnrred. Being naturally a man of strong feelings, and folly convinced
that a large portion of the ministers of l^e Presbyterian Ghnreh were
opposed to the revival of which he was so lealoas a promoter, he took it
npon himself to denounce ihem in terms of most nnsparing reprobation ;
and his conduct, viewed at this dtstanoe, though dictated no doubt by an
honest regard to the caose of Ghrirt, cannot be regarded otherwise than
deeply reprehensible. It is to his honour, however, that, while he was a
prinmpal instrument in ocessioning the division, he wss no less active,
seventeen years after, in healing it. He wrote and published a pamphlet,
the design of which was to bring about a re-union of the two parties ; and
it was not without very considerable effect.
Whitefield*s disdples and admirers in Philadelphia, having formed a new
Presbyterian congregation, turned thdr eyes to Gilbert Tennent as a suit-
able person to become its'pastor ; and in Hay, 1748, just two years after
the rupture of the Synod in the same city, they presented their call to
him. He accepted it at once, from a conviction that his field of usefulness
would thereby be greatly enlarged ; and, accordingly, he was r^pilarly
released from the church in New Brunswick, which he had served fbr sixteen
years. With the church to which he was now introduced, he continued
during the reridue of his ministry and of lus life, which was about twenty
years. He seems to have learned wisdom by his previous experience ; finr
he never afterwards manifested any thing of a controversial spirit, but lived
in mud& harmony with his brethroi, and with all around him. . His minis-
try at Philadelphia was marked by great diligence and fidelity, and was
attended by many manifest tokens of the Divine blesring. It may be
doubted, however, whether his preaching was, to the mass of hearers, so
acceptable after his removal as before ; for, instead of preaching from short
notes, ss he had been accustomed to do, he subsequently wrote his sermons
out, and read his msnuseript somewhat closely ; the consequence of which
was a connderable loss of force sad animation. He displayed his great
energy and perseverance, shortly sfter he went to Philadelphia, in procni^
ing the erection of a spacious and very expensive chureh edifice fer the use
of his congregation. He esUed on Dr. Franklin, snd asked him to pve him
the names of persons to whom he might apply for aid in his enterprise, snd
Franklin told him to call on everybody. Hedid so, andsoonaceompliahed
hisoljeet
In 1758, by request of the Trustees of New Jersey CoUsge, the Synod
of New York appointed Kr. Tennent, in conjunction with the Bev. (after-
wards President) Samuel Davies, tocroes the Atlaatao,tosoliatfuids for that
institolion. The nusrion was enunenily sneeessful; but the only aeeouni
88 PBBSBTTBRIAK.
of it that remains ib foiomd in tbe diary of Mr. Dayies. Notliing is known
oonoeming the impression that Tennent prodaoed in England ; but there oan
be no doubt that, with his oomparatiyely rough exterior, and unpolished
manners, he must have suffered not a little from a oomparison with his
highly aocomplished and attractive eollesgue.
About three years before his death, he became so infirm as to be unable
to meet the demands which were made upon him by a large congrega-
tion; and, accordingly, in December, 1762, the Bev. Gkorge Duffi^d,
then of Carlisle, was called to the co-pastorship with him. This
call Mr. Duffield declined ; and the congregation remained without another
pastor as long as Mr. Tennent lived. He died on the 28d of July, 1764,
in the sixty-second year of his age
Of the circumstances of his death it is believed that the only record that
remains is in Dr. Finley's Commemorative Discourse. He says, —
*•* He had an habitual, unshaken asBuraDce of his interest in redeemiDg love, for the
space of raore than forty years: but, eight days before his death, he got a more dear
and affect iug sense of it still. And though he lamented that he had done so little for
God, and that his life had been comparatiyely unprofitable, vet he triumphed in the
grace of Jesus Christ, who had pardoned all his sins, and said his assurance of salva-
iion was built on the Scriptures, and was more sure than the sun and moon."
President Finley's Sermon just referred to was preached on the 2d
of September following Us death. This, together with an Appendix, and a
Vuneral Eulogy by a young gentleman in Philadelphia, was soon after pub-
lished. The inscription on the monumental stone, which his congregation
placed over his remains, was written by his friend Dr. Finley, and is in
classic Latin. Mr. Tennent was one of the original Trustees of the Col-
lege of New Jersey, and held the offioe till his death.
Of Mr. Tennent's first marriage I find no record, but his wife died a
short time before he made his tour to Boston ; and he is said to have been
^< so much supported, that he was able to preach her Funeral Sermon, while
she lay before him in the coffin." His second wife, whose maiden name was
Cornelia De Peyster, and who, at the time he was married to her, was the
widow of Matthew Clarkson of New York, died on the 19th of March,
1758, aged fifty-seven. He was afterwards married to Mr^. Sarah Spafford,
widow of a Mr. Spafford of New Jersey. He had three children by the
last marriage. He made his will, October 20, 1768, giving three hundred
pounds and his library to his son Gilbert^ and directing that he should be
** put to learning," in the hope that he might be qualified for the ministry.
He provides also for his daughters, Elizabeth and Cornelia. He consti-
tuted his wife, his brother William, and the Worshipful John Lyal of
New Brunswidc, the guardians of his children. His son was lost at sea.
One daughter, Elizabeth^ died early ; the other, — Cornelia^ was married to
Dr. William Smith, a respectable physician of Philadelphia.
The following is a list of Gilbert Tennent's publications: — Solemn
Warning to the secure world, from the Ghod of terrible majesty; or, the
presumptuous sinner detected, his pleas considered, and his doom displayed,
(a volume,) 1786. The necessity of receiving the truth in love, considered
in a Sermon preached at New Brunswick, with enlargements^ 1785. The
dark depths of Divine Providence opened and vindicated from the imperti-
nent cavils of foolish men : In a Sermon on 11. These, ii. 12, preached at
New Brunswick, with enlargements, 1785. Memoir of his brother, John
Tennent, and an Expostnlatory Address to samts and sinnerst 1786. Seven
GILBSBT TEHHKHT. 09
SermoiiB in a Tolnme of '* Sermoiui cm Saoramental ocoasioiiB, by diTen
miDiBten," 1789. The Kghtooiuiiess of' the Soribes and PhariaeeB eon-
eidered in a Sermon, 1740. The danger of an nnoonTerted ministry, con-
sidered in a Sermon on Mark yi. 84, preabhed at Nottingham, Pa.^ 1740.
A Sermon on Jnstifioation, preached at New Bmnawiek, 1740. The
XsponaalB, or a Passionate PersuasiTe to a marriage with the Lamb of
God : — In a Sermon preached at New Bmnswiok, 1741. Remarks on a
Protestation presented to the Synod of Philadelphia, 1741. Two Sermons
preached at New Brunswick, on the Priestly office of Christ, and the virtae
of Oharity, 1742. The neoessity of holding &st the truth, represented in
three Sermons in New York. With an Appendix relating to errors lately
Tented by some Moravians, &c., 1748. The Examiner Examined, or
Gilbert Tennent harmonious. In answer to a pamphlet entitled **The
Examiner, or Gilbert against Tennent," &c., 1748. A Sermon at the ordi-
nation of Charles Beatty, 1748. Twenty-three Sermons upon the chief end
of man, the Divine authority of the Sacred Scriptures, the Being and Attri-
butes of God, and the doctrine of the Trinity, preached in Philadelphia, (a
volume, 4to,) 1744. The necessity of thankfulness for wonders of Divine
mercies: A Sermon preached at Philadelphia on occasion of the impor-
tant and glorious victory obtained by the British arms in the Mediterranean,
under the conduct of Admiral Matthews, over the united States of Prance
and Spain, and likewise the frustrating a detestable attempt to invade
England by a Popish Pretender, 1744. The necessity of keeping the soul:
A Sermon preached at Philadelphia, on Deuteronomy iv. 9, 1744. The
danger of spiritual pride represented : A Sermon preached at Philadelphia
on Romans xii. 8, 1744. The necessity of studying to be quiet and doing
our own business : A Sermon preached at Philaddphia, 1744. An Account
of a Revival of Religion, published in Prince's Christian History, 1744. A
Discourse at the Opening of the new Presbyterian Church. The necessity
of pndsing God for mercies received: A Sermon occasioned by the success
of the late expedition, (under the direction and command of General Pep-
perell and Com. Warren,) in reducing the city and fortresses of Louisburgh
on Cape Breton, to tbe obedience of his Majesty, King George the Second,
preached at Philadelphia, 1746. Discourses on several subjects — on the
nature of Justification, on the Law, and the necessity of Good Works vin-
dicated, (a volume, 12mo.,) 1746. A Sermon on the lawfulness of defen-
sive war, 1747. A Sermon preached at Philadelphia on the day appobted
by the Honourable President and Council, to be observed throughout this
Province as a day of Fasting and Prayer. With some enlargement, 1748.
Brotberly love recommended by the argument of the love of Christ: A
Sermon preached at Philadelphia before the Sacramental Solemnity. With
some efllargement, 1748. The consistency of defemdve war with true
Christianity, 1748. The late Association for defence further encouraged;
or defensive war defined, and its consistency with true Christianity repre-
sented. In a reply to some exceptions against war, in a late composure,
entitled, '*The Doctrine of Christianity as held by the people called
Quakers, vindicated," 1748. (Printed by Franklin.) Irenioum Ecclesias-
tioum; or a humble impartial Essay upon the Peace of Jerusalem, 1749.
A Sermon on the Salvation of God, 1749. The substance and scope of
both Testaments, or the distinguishing glory of the Gospel : A Sermon on
the displays of Divine justice in the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ, preached
40 PBBSBTnSBIAir.
itt Philadelphia, 1749. A Sermon preached at Bnrlingtoii, N. J., on tlie
day appointed by his Exoellenoj, the Qovemor, with the advice of hia
Majesty's Council, for a Prpyincial Thanksgiving. Before the Gh>Temor
and others upon texts chosen by his Excellency. With a Prefatory Address
to Philip Doddridge, D. D., 1749. Two Sermons preached at Burlington,
N. J., on a day of Public Fasting, on Matthew yI. 16, 17, 18, and Jonah
iii. 8. Dedicated to Governor Belcher, 1749. The happiness of rewarding
the enemies of our religion and liberty, represented in a Sermon
preached at Philadelphia, to an independent company of Yolunteers, at the
request of their officers, 1766. A Sermon preached in Philadelphia, on the
death of Captain William Grant, 1766. Sermons on important subjects
adapted to the perilous state of the British nation, lately preached in Phila*
delphia, (a volume,) 1768. A Persuasive to the right use of the Passiona
in Religion ; or the nature of Religious Zeal explained, its excellency and
importance opened and urged, in a Sermon on Revelations iiL 19, preached
at Philadelphia 1760.
The following testimony concerning Gilbert Tennent's character is
extracted from Dr. Finley's Sermon above referred to : —
'' As to his person, he was taller than the common size, and every way proportion-
able. His aspect was grave and venerable; and though, at first view, he seemed
reserved, yet, upon nearer acqnaintance, he was ever ifound to be eminently affable,
condescending and communicative; and what greatly endeared his conversation, was
an openness and undisguised honesty, at the greatest remove fh>m artifice and dissimu-
lation, which were the abhorrence of his soul while he lived. Besides, he was tender,
loving and compassionate: kind and agreeable in every relation; an assured friend to
such as he esteemed worthy of his regard, and a common patron to all who, he appre-
hended, were injured or distressed.
" He was of a truly public spirit, and seemed to feel the various cases of mankind
In general; but very sensibly partook in all the good or ill thtt befeU his countrv;
and while he gnaided against being unministerially pragmatical, yet, so fiir as he
Judged it consistent with his character, he warmly interested himself in whatever
seemed to contribute to the safety and advanttge of this Province in particular. He
needed no other motive to exert himself, than only to be persuaded that the matter
in question was an important public good; and, in such cases, he was much regarded,
not only because of his known integrity, but his generons and catholic disposition.
For, although he was a great lover of truth, and very sealous for Its propsgation, yet
he was so fiEur above a narrow party spirit, that he loved and honoured all who seemed
to have the root of the matter in them, and made it their business to promote tho
essenUals of religion, thongjh they were, in various points, opposed to his own senti**
' ' He was, moreover, an example of great fortitude and unshaken resolution. What-
ever appeared to him subservient to the advancement of the Redeemer's Kfaigdom, the
salvation of souls, or the common good of mankind, he pursued with spirit : and what
he did, he did with his mi^t. If the end seemed to .be attainable, great obstructions
and difacnltles in the way were so fiEur from dispiriting, that they rather animated, him
in his efforts; nor wonld he give up the point, while one glimpse of hope remained.
Hence he accomplished many important matters, which one less determined and
enterprising would presently have abandoned as desperate. He would go through
honour and dishonour, through evil report and good report; and though he had sensl-
bOity with respect to his personal diaracter, as well as other men, yet, if preservteglt
seemed, at any time, to require the omission of duty of* sinftil complwices, he readily
determmed to expose himself to all risks; and if adhering to the will of God should be
accounted vile, he resolved he would yet be more vile.
*' A great part of his litb was a scene of unremitted labour. He studied hard,
toavelled much, and preached often, while his health and other circumstances per-
mitted. He was instimt in season and out of season.— always about his Master's busi-
ness. They who have Journeyed or been often with him in company, could not but
observe his constant endeavours io do good by his conversation: to introduce some
convincing or ediMng topics; and his watching Ibr proper occasions for speaking of
Ood. And very fkithfm was he in warning sinners of their danger, and persuading
them to seek salvation in earnest. Thus he plainly shewed how much religion was hit
element, and promotiog it the dellghtfU business of his life; how benevolent towards
GILBERT TEHHBNT. 4X
mankind he wai, and how pieoiooB Immortal aonla were In hla esteem. Eyery advan-
Sp aoemlng to them, or to the intereata of religion In general, he reckoned as dear
n to himaelf ; nor were they who divide the epoil ever more Jovfhl than I have
>wn him to he, on occasion of the hopeAil conYcrsion of sinners, whether hy his own
or the ministry of others; and often has his sonl wept in secret places, for the pride
and obstinacy of those who refused to be reclaimed.
" His great reading, with his Yariooa and long experience of the workings both of
grace and cormption in the heart, made him a wise and skUftil casuist, who conld
resolve perplexing exercises of mind with clearness, and comibrt others with those
consolations wherewith he himself, in like cases, had been comforted of €rod.
" He was a faithftil attendant on the Judicatures of the Church, as is natural for
one so anxiously concerned for the interest of religion as he was; and, having accu-
rately observed the eflfects of a lax and negligent government in some churches, he
became a more strenuous assertor of due and strict discipline. But. above other
things, the purity of the ministry waa his care; and therefore, at the nazard of the
displeasure of many, and in the fice of reproach, ho aealously urged every scriptural
method, by which carnal and earthlv-minded men might be kept ftt>m entering into
It, and men of piety and aeal as well as learning introduced.
" As a preacher, ftw equalled him in his vigorous days. His reasoning powers wore
strong; his thongnts nervous and often sublime; his style flowerv and dlfifhsive; his
manner of address warm and pathetic,— such as must convince his audience that he
was In earnest; and his voice clear and commanding; and in a word, all things con-
2 fared to make him a Judicious, lealous, popular and pungent preacher. With admir-
le dexterity, he detected the bold presumer, discoveM the vanity of his confidence,
and exposed the formal hypocrite to his own view."
JOHN TENNENT »
1729—1782.
John Tbnnsnt, the third son of William Tennent, (Senior,) waa. bom in
the County of Antrim, in Ireland, November 12, 1706. He was but
twelve years old, when his father oame with his family to this country.
He had naturally strong feelings and a somewhat hasty temper, which
often ocoasioned him sore trouble and bitter repentance. His mental exer-
cises, previous to and at the time of his hopeful conversion to OtKi, were
most intense, and for a while he seems well nigh to have yielded to the
oonviotion that his case was hopeless. His brother Gilbert, in desoribing
his situation at that time, says, — " I have, through the riches of free graoe,
been favoured with the sight of many a convinoed sinner, but never did I
behold any other in such a rack of acute and continued anguish, under the
dismal apprehensions of impending ruin and eternal misery, from the yen*
geance of a just and holy Qod." So bitter was his agony, that, at one
time, he lay speechless for some minutes, and was supposed to be aotnally
in the article of death ; but, a few hours after, his countenance kmdled witib
a glow of rapture, and he requested his brother to smg the thirty-fourth
Psalm, in whioh he also joined with uncommon clearness and energy. His
brother William was at that time exceedingly ill, and supposed to be p»t
recovery ; but such was the fervour of his spirit, that he walked a distance
of thirty rods to see that side brother, that he might oommunioate t^him,
on this side the grave, the surprising deliveranoe of whioh he had been t&.e
subject. Subsequently to this, he was subject to intervals of grtet doubt
in respect to the genumeness of his religious experience ; though his mmi
soon settled into an habitually trusting and happy state.
r bgr Qllbvt Tsansnt.— Blst Log. OoD.— Wetetsr^ UBB.
Yd. m. 6
42 PBESBTTERUlf.
He was eduoated, both elaaaioally and theologioally, at tbe L<^ College.
He was taken on trial by the Newcastle Presbytery, November 21, 1728,
and was licensed to preach on the 18th of Septembc^, 1729. Shortly after
his licensure, he visited the congregation of Freehold, Monmouth County,
N. J., — a congregation originally formed of some Scotch people, who, in
escaping from a shipwrecked vessel, were cast upon the Jersey shore.
These people beiug Presbyterians, and wishing to enjoy the ordinances of
public worship, after the manner to which they had been accustomed in
their own country, set themselves to building a church with reference to
this object ; and, for some time, the Rev. Joseph Morgan was employed to
preach to them ; but he having left them in the year 1729, they invited
John Tennent to preach as a candidate. Being a young man of great
modesty and humility, it was with no small reluctance that he yielded to
their request ; and he even regretted his engagement, after it was made,
believing, as he said, that they were a people whom Qod had given up for
the abuse of the (Gospel. He was, however, agreeably disappointed in his
visit; for his very first labours were instrumental of bringbg many of his
hearers to serious consideration and inquiry. This greatly encouraged him,
insomuch that he told his brother William that, though they were a poor,
broken people, yet if they called him, he would go to them, even though
he should be under the necessity of begging his bread. They gave him a
unanimous call on the 15th of April, 1780, and he was solemnly set apart
as their pastor on the 19th of November following.
He had but a brief ministry ; for his death oocurred on the 28d of Aprilf
1782 ; and, for six months previous, owing to his enfeebled health, (he died
of consumption,) his brother William had supplied his pulpit.
Gilbert Tennent has given the following account of the closing part of
his life: —
'' As he drew nearer to his end, his love for his people and coneem for their welfare
increased. He would often express himself to one of his brothers in such language as
the fonowing^— ' I am grieved for my people: for I ftar they will he left to wander as
sheep without a shepherd; or get one that will pull down what I have poorly endea-
Yorea to build up.' His brother, who watched with him in his sickness, has fluently
overheard him in the deep silence of the night, wrestling with Grod by prayer, with
sobs and tears., for his people. Tea, when so reduced by consumption that ho could
scarce walk alone, he biore the pains of this lingering disease with unbroken patience^
and silent submission to his Father's pleasure, until it pleased God to open a, door of
escape to his captive soul, through the ruins of his decayed frame.
''On Saturday evening,*-the last evening of his life, he was seised with a violent
pang of death, which was thouidit by his attendants to oe the last: from which un'^z-
pectedly recovering, and obserying a confdsion among them, he addressed one whom
he saw uncommonly affected, with a cheerAil countenance, in the following words?-' t
would not haye tou think tiie worse of the ways of holiness, because you see In me
such agonies of distress; fbr I know there is a crown of ^ory in Heaven for me, which
I shall shortly wear.' Afterwards, in the night, he often prayed,—' Gome Lord
Jesus ! Oh Jesus, why dost thou linger f Sometime before day. he repeated, with
humble confidence, the last words of Savid,— ' Although mj house be not so with God,
yet hath he made with me an eyerlasting covenant, oitlered in all things and sure; for
this is all my salvation and all my desire.' II. Sam, zziii. 6.
" About the break of day, he called his brother William to praver, and earnestly
desired him to implore Heaven for his speedy removal; for, he said, he longed to be
gone. About ei^t or nine o'clock of the next day, which was the Sabbath, his desire
was granted, when it pleased his Master to trandate him to that great assembly of the
Just, ' the Church of the flrst-bom,' there to celebrate sn eternal Sabbath in praises
and songs of triumpftu
" A mw minutes bet^re he expired, holding his brother William 1^ the hand, he
broke out into the following rapturous expressions:—* FareweU, my brethren; fluewell.
flither and mother; farewell, world, with all thy vain delights. Welcome. God ana
Father, welcome, sweet Lord Jesus I Welcome death, welcome eternity.' Amen P
JOHN TENNEKT. 43
Then, with a low yoSee. he said, * Lord Jesiu, come, Lord Jeans V And so he ibil
adeep in Christ, and obtained an abundant entrance Into the everlasting Kingdom of
his God and Saviour.''
He was buried in the grave yard near the chnroh in which he had
preaohed, and a monoment was erected to hia memoxy, which still remains.
It bears Uie following inscription, — more honourable to the character of the
sabject, than to the poetical talent of the writer, — ^bj the Rev. Jonathan
Dickinson of Elisabethtown.
" Who qniet grew old in learning, ylrtne, grace,
" Qnick finished, well yielded to death's embrace:
" Whose mouldered dust this cabinet contains,
'< Whose soul triumphant with bright seraphs reigns;
'* Waiting the time till Heayen's bright ooncaye flame,
" And the last trump repairs his ruined frame."
The session of his church made the following entry concembg him in
their Church Record : —
" A moumfdl proYidenoe and cause of great humiliation to this poor congregation,
to be bereaved in the flower of yonth, of the most laborious, sucoessftil, well qual^Bed
and pious pastor this aoe afforded; though but a youth of twenty-ftmr yean, flve
months, and eleven days/'
Gilbert Tennent pnblished a short memoir of his brother John, in con-
nection with one of his sermons, the sabject of which is Regeneration.
This discourse evinces a clear and discriminating mind ; and there is much
reason to believe that, had his life been spared, he would have been in no
wise less distinguished than either of his brothers.
His brother GHlbert, in tike memoir already referred to, thus describes
him as a preacher : —
" In his public discourses, not to mention the Justness of his method, the beauty of
his style, and the fluency of his expression, by which he chabed his not unwilling hear-
ers to his lips, he was very awakening aod terrible to unbelievers. In denouncing and
describing, with the most vehement pathos and awftil solemnity, the terrors of an
oflbnded Deity, the threats of a broken law, and the miseries of a sinful state. And
tliis suUect he insisted much upon, because he, with many others, found it the most
effectuu and successful means to alarm secure sinners. He used a dose, dlstfaiguldi-
ing and detectins method, in the application of his sermons, which, with his pungent
mode of expression, was very piercmg and solemn. But, as Dr. Watts obs^ves of
Mr. Gouge, ' he knew the pitv of Immanuel's heart, as well as the terrors of Jehovah's
hand.' fie was as tender and compassionate hi his addresses to gracious souls, as fkith-
f^l to brandish and apply the law's lancet to the secure; and he was as willing to
do the one as the other. But, indeed, he was very cautious of misapplying the diflto-
ent portions of the word to his hearers ; or of setting before them only a common mess,
and leaving it to them to divide among themselves, as their fkncy and humour direct
then&j for he well knew that was the bane of preaching.
" He was a successful preacher. * * * It may truly be said of hfan that he gabed
more poor sinners to Christ in that little compass of time which he had to improve in
the ministerial work, which was about three and a half years, than many in the space
of twentv, thirty, forty, or fUty years. But though he was thus honoured with the
smiles of Heaven upon nis labours, and though favoured with the kind regards of a
lovbg and generous people, who, had it been possible, would have plucked out thehr
own eyes and have given them to him,— eo that no minister before was ever the object
of a more respectAil regard aod sympathy; yet was he fkr from being exalted in his
own mind, but, throng grace, retamed a just, grateAil and humble sense of Grod's
distinguishfaig goodness and his own unworthiness."
44 PBESBYTEBIAir.
JOHN MOORHEAD.
1780—1773.
FROM THE BEY. A. W. MoCLITBE, D. D.
Jmbbky Cm, September 19, 1864.
My dear Sir: In compliance with your request, I send yon the following
sketch of my venerable ancestor, the Bev. John Moorhead, which I have com-
piled, partly from original documents, and partly from family traditions. I
believe it embraces every thing concerning him that is at once sdBcienily
important and sufficiently authentic, to be used for the purpose which your
tequest contemplates.
In the year 1729, a large number of families landed at Boston, having
left the Counties of Londonderry, Donegal, Antrim, and Down, in Ireland.
They were of the race generally callod '* Scotch Irish," which emigrated
from Scotland to Ireland in the time of James the First. Their descend-
ants came to New England for the double purpose of mending their world-
ly circumstances, and enjoying more fully the blessings of religious liberty*
Most of them settled in Boston ; but many of them founded the towns ȣ
Ellington, in Connecticut, Colerain in Massachusetts, Londonderry in New
Hampshire, and other places in New England.
That portion of this people which found a home in Boston, made it their
first care to provide for the worship of Qod, according to the doctrines and
usages of the Scottish Kirk, so dear to them and their &thers. From one
of their number, John Little, they purchased a lot of land, at the comer of
what are now called Federal and Channing Street's. Either before they left
Ireland, or very soon after their arrival in Boston, they invited Mr. Moor-
head to become their mmister ; and he joined them in tiie year 1780.
John Moobhsad was bom of pious and respectable parentage, in New-
ton, near Belfast, in the County of Down. His father, a fiurmer, afforded
him the best opportunities in his power for a liberal education, which he
completed at one of the Scotch Universities. He came to Boston about
the twenty-third year of his age. There is no record of his ordination, and
the presumption is that it took place previous to his leaving Ireland. This
little " Church of Presbyterian strangers," as they styled themselves, wor-
shipped at first in a bam^ which stood on part of the ground they had pur-
chased, and which was cheaply fitted up for their accommodation. They
professed not to be ashamed to worship Him in so humble a sanctuary,
irho, for our salvation condescended to be born in a stable. As their
numbers were enlarged by other emigrations from Scotland and Ireland,
they practised ** church extension" by adding two wings to their unpretend-
ing tabemaole. In 1744, they were able to erect, on the same spot, a very
decent and commodious house of worship. This again gave place, early in
this century, to a spacious and elegant GhotUc edifice.
The first meeting held for the election of elders, — ^Mr. Moorhead being
present,— was (m the 14th of July, 1780. The elders then chosen were
John Young, Robert Patton, Samuel McClure, Richard McClure, and
Thomas McMnllen, who were solemnly ordained to the office. This church
session maintained watch and discipline over all baptised personsy as well as
JOHH MOOBHBAJ). ^
pyer memberB in fall oommimioii. The diacipline waa exercised with greal
litrieine«i and solemnity. In 1744, there were twelve elders, and the conv
gregation waa divided into twelve districts ; each of which was assigped tp
the oare of an elder, whose duty it was to visit and pray with the uok
within his bounds, to advise and reprove, as occasion might require, and to
provide pecnniary aid for the suffering poor.
Once or twice in each year, Mr. Moorhead, taking with him one of the
elders in rotation, visited every family of his flock, — whether in town, or
scattered in the country. In these visits, he inquired into the spiritual state
of the heads of the family, catechised the children and servants, and closed
by kneeling in prayer, and earnestly pleading for the members of the house-
hold, according to the spiritual state of each. In addition to this, and the
frequent visitation of the sick, he twice in the year convened all the fami-
lies in each district, respectively, at the place of worship, where he ques-
tioned the older persons on the doctrines of the Confession of Fidth, and
again catechised the children and youth.
At the age of twenty-six, Mr. Mooriiead was married to Sarah Parsons,
an English lady of a bright and poetic turn, and highly educated. None
of their children left issue except one daughter, who was married to Alex«
ander Wilson of Boston. Mr. Moorhead's ministry lasted about forty-four
years, till his death, December, 1778, at the age of seventy. He was a
warm friend of lib^y, but died at the opening of the Revolutionary war.
He received from John Hancock substantial tokens of satisfaction at his
course in reference to the rights of America. According to his portraits,
one of which is finely engraved, he was tall in stature, of a commandbg
presence, witii an agreeable and benignant aspect. His Funeral Sermon
was preached by the Rev. James McGregore of Londonderry, N. H., from
the text, — ** Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile." He
published nothing except, in connection with Jonathan Parsons and David
McQregore, *'Afair Narrative of the proceedbgs of the Presbytery pf
Boston, against the Rev. Robert Abercrombie, 1756." His papers were
destroyed or lost, when Boston was evacuated by Gkneral G^e.
The Rev. Dr. David McClure, who was, for many yeard, pastor of the
church in East Windsor, Oonn., and who, when a youth, was well acquainted
witii Mr. Moorhead, gives the following estimate of his character : —
"He was unwearied in his endeavours to promote the edification and sal*
vation of his people. His thoughts and plans of benevolence extended
also to their temporal concerns. He encouraged the industrious by such
small pecuniary aids as were within his ability to bestow; or solicited assistv
ance for them. Virtuous strangers from North Britain and Ireland were
sure to find a friend in him. As a good Bishop, he was given to hospitality.
As a sample of this benevolence, allow me to mention that it was his cits'!
tom, when he heard of ministers from the country who were strangers in
Boston, at public houses, to go or send for them to come to his hospitable
roof.
"He was faithful and impartial in his duty, as a reprover of error and
vice in all their forms. While he rebuked with sharpness, he showed an
affectionate concern for the offender, and by meekness and condescension
laboured to reclaim him. With equal cheerfulness he visited the hut or the
garret of the poor, and the parlour of the rich, to do them good. Some
were offended at the severity of his reproofs, and withdrew from his society
46 FBESBYTEBiAK.
to others where they oovld find more indnlgenoe. He w» uniyersiJlj
respeoted by the good, and feared by those of the opporite oharaoter. He
appeared less ambitions of fiime than of fkithfolness as a minister of Christ.
** Mr. Moorhead was a plain, evangelical and praotioal preaoher. He
paid very little attention to the ornaments of style in his pnlpit perform-
ances. His discourses appeared to be extemporaneous. He expounded
the Scriptures in course in the mombg, and delivered a sermon in die after-
noon. He preached the Law and the (Jospel in their spirituality and
purity. He insisted principally on the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel —
the deep depravity of human nature: the Divinity of Jesus CShrist, and the
efficacy of the atonement ; the special agency of the Divine Spirit in r^en-
oration; the necessity of repentance, of fidth in Christ, and of good works.
*'He possessed strength of mind, sprightliness of imagination, and read-
iness of expression ; but appeared indifferent to the choice of the most
appropriate phraseology. His manner was solemn, affectionate and pathetic.
His language and manner were the index of his mind. He spoke from the
heart. His tears flowed in the earnest, alarming, or persuasive application
of his sermons. He was an * Israelite, in whom was no guile.' Such was
the success of his fiuthful labours, and the accession of foreign Protestants,
that, in nx years after the founding of the church, the communicants were
about two hundred and fifty. Four times in the year he celebrated the
Lord's Supper. They were seasons of great solenmity. On these occa-
sions, Mr. Moorhead commonly had the assistance of one or two of his
brethren, particularly the Rev. Mr. MoGhregore, and afterwards the Bev.
Mr. Clarke, of Londonderry, and once of the celebrated Mr. Whitefield,
when every heart was moved by his solemn and enrapturing performancea
On these occasions, each minister served a table in rotation.
** At those seasons of fervent leal in religion, the house could not con-
tain the multitudes eager to hear the words of eternal life. The doors and
windows were crowded with spectators.
''The Society in general were respectable for good morals, industry,
sobriety, attention to the duties of family religion, and the government and
education of their children."
I think it proper to state that, if a uniform tradition can be relied on,
my ancestor htA a full share of that good humour and keen wit, which are
generally understood to form a leading trait in the Irish character. Thero
are many anecdotes illustrative of this characteristic, still current among
his descendants, some of which I might venture to relate, if I did not fear
that I should give too great a shock to the gravity of your readers. The
propensity seems to have been as natural as his breath, but never to have
been indidged at the expense of treating irreverently any thing of a serious
nature. With great respect and affection.
Yours most truly,
A. W. MoGLUBE.
JONATHAN PABSONS.
JONATHAN PARSONS *
1780— 1776,
Jonathan Parsons was bom at West Springfield, Mass., Noyember
SO, 1705. He was a son of Ebeoeser Parsons, who was a deaoon in the
First Oongregational ohorch in that place ; and a grandson of Benjamin
Parsons, who emigrated from England to this ooontry, and settled at
Springfield about the year 1685. His mother's name was Margaret Marsh-
field.
In his early youth, he was put to a mechanical trade ; but so decided
were his intellectual tastes that, in connection with the labours of the
workshop, and without any other assistance than he derived from books, he
contriyed to carry forward his preparation for College. At the age of
twenty, he became a member of Yale College, and was graduated there in
1729.
It does not appear that, at the time of his entering College, he had any
intention to devote himself to the ministry, or even that his mind had been
formed to any decided habit of seriousness. Indeed, it would rather appear
from his own recorded testimony, that he was averse to the contempktion
of religious subjects, and that he imposed little restraint upon his vicious
inclinations. After he joined College, though he was not lacking in appli-
cation to study, he still gave no attention to the one thing needful ; and he
more than intimates that his decent appearance before the world wais a mere
cover to a coui'se of habitual wickedness.
When he had reached about the middle of his college course, he was the
subject of a dangerous illness, which led him to consider his ways, and at
least to form a purpose of entering on a religious life. He now became
serious and ezempbury in his deportmenti and shortly after, made a public
profession of his &iUi in the Gospel. Though he fully believed, at the
time, that a radical change had passed upon him, he was afterwards equally
convinced that he had been the subject of a mere delusive experience.
Having resolved to give himself to the ministry, he commenced a course
of theological study, shortly after he left College, under the direction of
the Bev. Elisha Williams, — ^then Bector of the College, and subsequently
completed it at Northampton, under Jonathan Edwards. Within less than
a yekr after he was graduated, he was licensed to preach, and his early
services in the pulpit marked him as among the more promising, young
preachers of the day. Not long after he was licensed, he was invited t6
the pastoral charge of the Congregational church in Lyme, Conn., and was
ordained there in March, 1781.
After his settlement in the ministry, his mind underwent a great revolu-
tion in regard to both the doctrines of the (Gospel, and the nature of
Christian experience. The following account of the commencement of his
labours, together with the severe conflicts which issued in the change above
referred to, — a change which gave a new complexion to his character and
ministry, — ^is from his own pen : —
•S«ftrl«*i Fan. Bsnn.— Coflfai*i Hif t. Newlmiy.— Amer. Quurt. Rmp., ZTV.— Staani' tad
y«]BU7»'i Hist. Diao.
43 FBSSBTTEBIAH.
' Soon after my settlement, there wm a great and general concern aboat nil
eapedally among the yonng people. I was very aealons in my work, and nned i
to dome to the Lord's table, and, in less than ton months, fifty-two persons Joined the
chnrch.
" After I bad been settled nigh two years, I was oonTinoed that I bad bnflt my hopes
of Heaven upon the sandy fonndatlon of my own rigbteonsness. The terrors of the
law were very dreadftd upon me for several months. Sometimes I thought I mnst be
in hell in a few minutes. I thouidit every one who saw me must see my wretchedness,
and often wondered bow they could treat me with common respect,— much more with
the respect due to a minister; and yet 1 believe my people were never so respiectftil to
me, as at the time when I had those aoprehensions of misery. If I had any quiet at
this time, it was when I was upon my Jmees, begging for mercy or reading the Bible.
These duties I attended mudi of my time. But when I read llr. Stoddaid's ' Safety
of appeariug in the righteonsiiess of Christ,' especially his use of reproof to men
trusting their own righteousness, and not snmnittlng to Grod,l could plafaily read my
own character. Still I dare not let go my self righteous hold, tUl, one morning, as I
came out of my study to attend family worship, I found myself naked, and saw the
Justice of God, though he cast me off forever. My struggles were all hushed in a
moment, and I think I submitted to sovereign mercy. It was not ten minutes, I
believe, be/bre I saw the justice of Gkd ftilly satisfied in Christ, and how he oonld save
the chief of sinners. I saw the sulBciencv of Christ as the Surety of the covenant of
graoB, to redeem the most helpless, wretched and hell-deeervlng. This put an argu-
ment in my heart to plead with God in praver, and afforded some relief for a time.
Still I was not satisfied of a change of heart till several months afterwards. Some time
after this, I preached to the Indians at )9ehantic, on the nature and necessity of regene-
ration,—Mr. C and Mr. A—— being present. After service, Mr. A. told me he
was afraid I was not converted. My heart said there was reason to fear it. I had
been several days in distress about it, and his discourse increased my distress. I went
home eigiht mues very pensive. Slept but little that night and rose early. Mrs.
Parsons, taking notice of something extraordfaiarv, asked what was the matter. I
told her I could not live so; and, after I had attended fkmily worship, I retired into a
secret place in the field, resolving never to see any body tni I had my state cleared up,
whether good or bad. I had not been alone with my Bible and upon my knees more
than two hours, before light broke in with such assuring satiaAustion, that I could not
doubt of the safety of my state. This was a thne (1741) of the outpouring of the
Spirit in the land, and eminently so at Lyme, when many I believe were saving^
converted."
From this period, Mr. Panonfl' minigtiy gathered an nnwonted degree of
earnestness, and he beeame identified with the party who were teohnioally
known as the '* New-Lights" of the day. Whitefield was then traversiDg
the land, and preaching everywhere with an effect that was supposed by
many to forebode the speedy ushering in of the millenial day. Gilbert Ten-
nent also was, about that time, making his fiunons **preaohing tour"
through New England, and operating upon immense masses of people widi
soarcely less power than Whitefield himself. Both these illustrious itine-
rants (for such Tennent for a season became) repeatedly Tisited Lyme, and
they were always Mr. Parsons' guests ; and while they laboured abundantly
in his parish, he joined them in their visits to seyend of the neighbouring
congregations. In September, 1742, Mr. Parsons made a visit to Boston,
and aoeepted an invitation from the Bey. Mr. Fozoroft to preach the Thurs-
day Lecture. Entering fully, as he did, into the views and feelings of
those who favoured Whitefield and the revival, and being deeply impressed
with the conyiotion that a considerable portion of the ministers in that neigh-
bourhood, as wdll as in New England generally, were opposed to what he
believed were the genuine operations of the Holy Spirit, he availed himself
pf that oooasion to bear a doobive testimony in respeot to the state of both
the ministry and the ohnrohes. The sermon was published shortly after,
and occasioned considerable excitement, and some controversy. The authoi
in a prefiftoe of no moderate length, recognises the fact of its bearing some-
what of a controversial aspect, and urges several considerations in justifi
cation of the uncompromising stand which he had felt himself oalled upon
JOKATHAK PARSONS. 49
to take. It does not, by any means, jostify the grou irregolarities and
exoesses wbick tbe nltndsts of the day (such as Davenport and his ooadja^i
ton) had introduced; bat it denonnoes, in no measured terms, the substi-
tution of a more lax system of dootrine for the fidth of the Puritan fiithers,
and finds in this the reason of the prevailing opposition to the roTiyal. It
breathes a spirit of glowing seal for the Redeemer's cause and honour,
but, along with this, it must be acknowledged, somewhat less of the meek-
ness and gentleness of the Gospel than oodd be desired.
The change in Mr. Parsons' character, and the corresponding change
in his preaching, as might be expected, occasioned no small degree of spec-
ulation, and even agitation, among his people. Though many of them, as
he had reason to believe, had been bom into the kingdom under his
ministry, and were bound to him by the strougest spiritual ties, yet there
were not a few whom the earnestness and pungency of his rebukes, not less
than his lealous co-operation with Whitefidd and others of the same school,
threw into an attitude of intense hostility. As he was himself naturally
of an irritable spirit, he was but ill fitted to arrest an incipient contention ;
the consequence of which was, that, after having, for some time, struggled
ineffectually against the current, he was dismissed from his charge by a
council called at his own request, in October, 1745.
He was then invited, at tiie suggestion of Mr. Whitefiold, to visit New-
bury, (the part that is now Newburyport,) Mass., with reference to taking
charge of a new congregation in that place. He accepted the invitation,
and reached Newbury early in the month of November. But, when he
became acquainted with a portion of the materials of which the new con-
gregation was to be composed, he seems to have regarded it, as far at least
as his own comfort was concerned, as no very promisbg enterprise. ** I
found " (says he in his journal) ** a number of serious Ghristians in the
congregation which I came to vbit, who appeared to be understanding,
solid, and in some measure established in the main points of Christian doc-
trine. But many oUiers appeared of an Antinomian turn, fall of vain confi-
dence, self-oonceit, false affections, &c., and some, that were the greatest
Ohristians in their own esteem, appeared to be worldly and covetous." Still
he was led to believe, in view of all the circumstances of the case, that it
was his duty to remain there ; and, accordingly, in March following, he for-
mally took charge of the congregation. The persons originally compos-
ing his church, consisted of a secession from the Bev. Mr. Lowell's and the
Bev. Mr. Tucker's ; and, as it was considered, at that time, a decided
infinngement of ecclesiastical decorum to fonn a new church within the ter*
ritoriid limits of one of the same denomination, they determined to take,
and actually did take, the Presbyterian form. But it was not merely in its
form of government that the new church differed from those out of which
it had chiefly grown, but in the more strongly marked character of its
orthodoxy, and in a more cordial sympathy with the great religious move-
ments of that period.
Mr. Parsons' ministry was blessed to the gathering of one of the largest
churches and congregations in New England. Not less than two hundred
were supposed to have been converted here through his instrumentality*
He laboured in season and out of season : but he laboured in comparative
quiet,— enjoying in a high degree the affection of his people, and the
Vol. m. 7
60 FBESBTTEBIAK.
respeot and ooniBdenoe even of those whose relij^oiis views were not in
aoeordance with his own.
Borne yean before Mr. Pateons' ftscease, the fiev. John Mnrray* was
byited to become colleagne pastor with him ; bnt for several reasons, among
which was the &ot that his reputation was suffering from injurious reports,
he declined the application. He, however, ultimately became Mr. Parsons*
snccesfor.
As Whltefield had been his intimate friend in the early part of Us minis-
try, and had no doubt exerted more infioence than sny other person in
depiding its character, so their intimacy continued, without interruption,
till it was invaded by death. Whitefield had reached Newbury, on Us
return from a short journey to the East, and had stopped at Mr. Parsons'
house with the expectation of supplying his pulpit on the succeeding Sab-
bath ; but, scarcely had the Sabbath dawned, before that wonderful man
was summoned to join in the service of the eternal temple; and Mr. Par-
sons preached, on that day, to an immense congregation from Phil. i. 21 —
" To die is gain."
Mr. Parsons survived WUtefield but a few years. EBs constitution
gradually gave way ; and, after a protracted and distressing illness, which
he endured with the utmost resignation, he fell asleep in great peaoe,
on the 19th of July, 1776, aged seventy-one years. His Funeral Ser-
mon was preached by the Rev. Jonathan Scarlet of Salisbury, N. H.,
and was published. His remains were deposited in the vault beneath
his pulpit, which had previously received those of Whitefield ; and there
they continue to slumber together till this day.
Mr. Parsons was an excellent classical scholar, and was thoroughly versed
in History. He was also, to some extent, a proficient in medicine, and occa-
sionally practised it. He had a ready command of Us pen ; and no one was
• JoHV MuBBAT WM bom in Ireluid, Maj SS, 174S, and wm eduMtad at the XJniTenlty of
Bdlnbargh. He eme to this ooimtiy when ne wm hardly twentr-one yaan of aca, and ihottly
after waa lettled aa paator of the Seeond PreabTteriaa Chnroh in Philadelphia, ^t hsTlng been
goUty oC a eerioni miademeanor in regard to toe aignatiirai to hia oredentlala, he waa obligJMl, In
oonaeqnenoe of the Iket being diaooverad, to leare the dWs and his nazl lettlement waa at
Boothbay, Me., where a PreabyteiT waa formed, eaUed <^tlie Prealnrteiy of the Baatwaid,"
of whioh he beeame the moat prominent member. Though the PreaSyterr of Boeton raftiaed
fellowfhip with him, Mr. Panona, afker baring thorong^y inToatigated the imfiaToajahle
reports, beoame satiiAed that the ftnlta eommltted, taken in eonneotion with hia own hnmble
aeknowledgments, oogfat not to be eonaidered aa diaqnalifying him for the ezeroise of the min-
istry. He waa installed aa Mr. Panona' sneeeaaor at Newbozyport, on the ith of Jvne, 1781,
and died on the 18th of Mandu 1708, aged fifW-one. He waa regarded aa one of the nu^ ele-
qnent preaohers of his day. A fUl aeeonnt or the unhappy ai&dr tha.t did so mmih to mar both
Ids reputation and his nseftdness may be found in the Bev. A. G. Yeradlye s admirable Histo*
rical'&ssoiino. Mr. Mana/pobliahed An Appeal to the impartial pobUe. in. behalf < the
nppfeased, 1768; The last solemn soenet A Sermon, preaehed i^ Boston, 1768; A. Fast Sermon,
St Nelrbttryport, 1770; Bathkol: A Toloe from the wiUemess, 1788; Jembbaal or Tfnuaj'u
Qvora deswrredf and the ultar of liberty flnished : A Thanfais^?ing8eimon, preaehed at New-
boryport, 1788 ; The oricin of OTil tnuiea in a Sermon, preaehed at Aewboryport, 1784 ; Happjr
▼oyage oomjUeted, and ue sore anohor oastt A Sermon preaehed at Newboryport on toe death
of Captain, jonathaa Parsons, who died at sea, 1784; Qraee and glom or Heaven dren onbr to
sainta: A Bennon preached at Newbuyport, on the Death of Baiph Croak 1788;^ustifleatton
of beUerers hj imputed righteousness : Tliree Sermons preaehed at NewDumort, 1788t The
dnigent Servant ezelted : A Sennon preaehed at Newbuxyport on the death of the Rer. Joseph
Prinoe, [who was bora at Boston, April IS, 1733; beeaae totally blind and hopeftilly ploas at
the ace of fourteen; oommeneed praaehing at nineteen; preaobed three yean ai Durham, K.
H.t ftre at Madbmy,^ K. H., sixteen at Barrington, N. H. ; thirteen at Pownalboro* Me. ; seT«a
at Candia, N. H. ; and more or leas in Tarious other plaeea, until the 15th of January,. 1701,
when he died at Ifewbuiyiport, and was buried br the jlde of Whitefield aBdrPanona.r He ttired
and died in total darkneai, hndi was distfaisnishea fbr Qrveot ple^and impraidTe,eloquspsa.]
t JoiTATBAH BmimhM waa a natlTO of Kowl^, Mass. ; was gnauated at Harrard Cousfe la
17S6; waa ordained pastor of the ehuTdh in Ballabuiy, Korember 17» 1T78; was iTIiiiiTissil
Norember 8, 1701 ; and died in 1810, aged serenty-four.
JONATHAN PARSONS. 5^
put in requisition for saoh eernoe more frequendy than he, by eddeoAstioftl
bodies. He was a fluent andgraoefol extemporanooue speaker, — able to
oommunioate his ideas on all occasions with great freedom and ease ; and
when his mind became excited, his unpremeditated efforts were often charao-;
teriied by the most stirring eloquence.
He had many natural and acquired advantages for being a popular
preacher. With a good person, a commandiog and strongly marked face,
great readiness of utterance, and freedom of gesture, and a command of
tiie selectest language, he could scarcely fail to hold the attention of a con-
gregation, independently of the truths which he delivered. At the com-
mencement of his ministry, he bestowed great labour upon the composition
of his sermons; and, though he afterwards became less careful for the
graces of style, yet, having once acquired them, they remained with him,
and formed a leading characteristic of the productions of his pen as long as
he lived. When the change in Us religious character occurred, — which he
supposed was the great change from a sinful to a holy state, so thoroughly
convinced was he that he had never preached the Oospel in all its richness
and glory, that he actually burnt every sermon he had previously written.
Prom that period, whatever his ministrations may have lost in refinement,
they are said to luve gaiiied in unction and impressiveness. His devotional
exercises, as might be expected from such a mind and heart, were distin-
guished for a graceful flow of appropriate language, animated by deep and
strong feeling. In short, both the matter and manner of his prayers and
sermons were such, as to secure the earnest attention, and awaken the devout
feeUngp, of his audience.
Though Mr. Parsons' character was marked by no common duster of
excellencies, it was marred, to some extent, by a natural temper of more
than or^Unary severity. This occasionally abated somewhat from the pleas-
ure of intercourse with him, and possibly it may have modified, in some
measure, the complexion of some of his public acts. But to Us praise it
can be said that he was quite aware of this evil tendency, and was in pez^.
petual conflict with it, so that, towards the close of his life, it existed in
greatly diminished strength.
Mr. Parsons was married, on the 14th of December, 1781, to Phebe
daughter of John Griswold of Lyme. By this marriage he had thirteen
children, six of whom died in in&ncy ; and of those who survived, one was
Samud Holden^ who was bom at Lyme, Hay 14, 1787; was graduated at
Harvard Gollege in 1766; settled as a lawyer in Hiddletown, Conn.; and
was a Major-Oeneral in the war of the Bevolution. He was subsequently
appointed by Washington, Governor of the North Western Territory, and
was drowned in Big Beaver Creek, in Ohio, November 12, 1789. Mrs. Par-
sons died December 26, 1770 ; and, in the following year, he was married
to Mrs. Lydia Olarkson, widow of Andrew Glarkson, of Portsmouth, N.
H., who survived him. The late Hon. Simon Greenleaf, an eminent jurist,
and« for some time. Professor of Law in Harvard University, and the
Bey. Jonathan Greenleaf of Brooklyn, N. Y., are among his descendants
of the second generation.
;The following is a Ust of Mr. Parsons' printed works:— rLetten in the
Ohristian History, 1741. : Wisdom justified of her children: A Sermon
preached at the Boston Lecture, 1742. Lectures on Justification, 1748.
Good news from a fer country: Seven Discourses, 17<6fl|. B^oinder to B.
52 FBBSBTTSRIAir.
Aberorombie's BemarkB on a fair NamtiTe of tbe proceedings of the Free
bytery of Boston against himself, 1768. A Sermon oh trae Godliness, fto.,
1759. Manna gati^ered in the mommg, 1761. Infant Baptism from
Heaven : Two Sermons, 1765. A Sermon on the death of the Bev. George
Whitefield, 1770. Letters on Baptism addressed to the Bev. Heiekiah
Smith, 1770. Freedom from civil and ecclesiastical tyranny, the purchase
of Christ: A Sermon, 1774. Sixty Sermons: 2 vohunes, octavo, (post-
humons,) 1784.
Mr. Parsons is now chiefly known as an author by his two volumes of
posthumous Discourses, — ^most of those published in pamphlet form having
been long out of print. They are characterised by very considerable men-
tal vigour, by an imagination prolific of striking imagery, by great copious-
ness of diction and depth of feeling, and a most uncompromising adher-
ence to that system of fstith, to which, during the greater part of his min-
istry, he was so earnestly devoted.
WILLIAM TENNENT (Sbcond) *
1782—1777.
William Tbnnbnt (Second) was bom in the County of Antrim, Ireland,
January 8, 1705. He came to this country at the age of thirteen, with his
fkther, the Bev. William Tennent, who arrived with his family at Phila-
delphia, in the summer of 1718. He early evinced an uncommon thirst for
knowledge, and made rapid progress in the languages, particularly the
Latin. Being also, as it was hoped, the subject of an early conversion, he
determined to devote himself to the Christian ministry. His elder brother,
Gilbert, was already a popular preacher, settled in New Brunswick, N. J.;
and William, after having gone through a preparatory course under the
instruction of his father, went to New Brunswick to avail himself of the aid
of his brother in the prosecution of his theological studies. When he left
home, his father, with his parting blessing, gave him a small sum of money,
tellbg him that, if he behaved well, it would be all he would need ; and if
he did not behave well, it was more than he deserved. When he had Nearly
oompleted his theological course, and was preparing for his examination by
the Presbytery, he was the subject of the remarkable trance which has
perhaps given him his greatest celebrity, and of which a particular and
authentic account is given in two of the letters connected irith this sketch.
After Mr. Tennent's gradual recovery from the effects of his trance, he
still adhered to his purpose to preach the Gospel, and in due time received
licensure from the Philadelphia Presbytery. His first efforts in the pulpit
gave promise, if his life should be spared, cdT eminent fidelity and usefulness.
His brother John, who had for some time been settied over the Presbyte-
rian Church at Freehold, Monmouth County, N. J., having then recentiy
deceased, application was made to the subject of this sketch, to supply the
pulpit which his brother's death had vacated ; and, after having served them
IDah Vm^. n.— BondiBOt^ NamtlT*.— Hbt. Log CUL— Wehrtor'g MBS.
WILLIAM TEITNENT (Sioon). 53
a year in the obaraoter of a supply, he was, on the 25th of October, 1788,
r^^ularly oonBtitated their pastor by the Philadelphia Presbytery.
Though the salary of Mr. Tennent, with proffer management, was abun-
dantly adequate to his support, yet, in consequence of his entrusting all his
pecuniary concenis to a servant, he very soon became seriously embarrassed,
and found that he had debts to a considerable amount, which it was quite
impossible for him to cancel. Happening one day to mention thia circum-
stance to a friend who was on a visit to him from the city of New York,
his friend suggested, as the most suitable remedy for his difficulty, that
he should get married; and when Mr. Tennent smiled at the sugges-
tion, as if it were an utterly hopeless matter, the gentleman told him that
there was a lady within his knowledge, — a Mrs. Noble, — his own sister-in-
law, whom he thought eminently qualified for such a station ; and intimated
his willingness, if he would come to New York, to render him any aid in
the matter that nught be in his power. He accepted the proposal ; accom-
panied his friend to NewYork the next day ; was introduced to the lady ;
offered himself to her, and was accepted ; and, within one week from the
time of the introduction, she was the mistress of his house. His friend's
recommendation was fully justified by her character ; for, while ahe proved
a most affectionate and devoted wife, she assumed, in a great degree, the
management of his temporal concerns, and within a short time, under her
skilful superintendence, he was not only fr'ee from debt, but was quite easy
in his worldly circumstances. Besides several children who died in infancy,
they had three who lived to mature age: — /oAn, who was a physician, .and
died in the West Indies, at the age of about thirty-three ; William^ who
fbrms the subject of a cUstinct notice in this work ; and Gilbert^ who was
also a practinng physician, and died at Freehold, before hb father, at the
age of twenty-eight. They were all men of fine appearance, and of excellent
education and character.
Mr. Tennent, though he did not live till the dose of the Bevolutiouary
war, was yet deeply interested in the American cause, and by his prayers
at least, strove earnestly for its promotion. He was on a visit to some
friends near New York, when a British frigate attempted to pass the bat-
teries, and proceed up the North Biver, while General Washington lay with
the American army in the city. A heavy cannonading took place, which
was mistaken, in the surrounding country, for a general attack on our army.
Mr. Tennent was deeply affected, and, after pausing for a moment, turned
to a friend or two present and said — **Come, — ^while our fellow citiiens are
fighting, let us retire for prayer." They accordingly went up into his room,
where, for half an hour, he poured out his fervent supplicationB ii^ behalf
of his suffering country.
In the winter of 1776-77, the British overran a great part of the State
of New Jersey, and particularly the County of Monmouth, where there were
a large number of Tories. Encouraged by the adverse prospects of the
American cause, a party of these people arose, and dragged numbers of
their fellow citizens to the British Provost, by whom they were treated with
the utmost rudeness and cruelty. Mr. Tennent now regarded Us own situ-
ation as one of great peril; but, as he had no place to flee to, he remained
at home, committing himself to the Divine protection. In December, 1776,
a number of the ii^bitants called upon him, and urged him to hasten to
Princeton, and avail himself of Qeneral Howe's then recent proclamation,
54 FRSSBTTSRIAH.
ofering a pBxdon to these trho should seek it within m liitaited 'tiiiie.^ He
refosed, till he beoame satisfied that he should stay at the peril of his U6 .
and that if he did stay nmnolestedy it would be to liUle pmpose, as he
should hare no opportunity of exeroising his ministry. Under these dream-
stances, he at length very relnotanUy oonsented to go to Prinoeton. On his
way, he lodged at the honse of a yoong clergyman, and, when he arose in
the morning, manifested great depression of spirit. On being asked what
tronbled him, he answered with a sigh, — "I am going to do a thing for
oonsoienoe sske, directly against my conscience." Soon after hb return
home, a change favonrable to the American bterest oconrted, and the whigs
of Monmonth County, who had been driren away, came back in force. Hr.
Tennent continued to reflect severely upon himself for what he regarded as
an act of timid and unworthy submission.
But the days of this good man were now almost numbered. About the
Ifitter end of February, or beginning of March, 1777, he was seised with a
yiolent fever, which, after a few days, terminated fatally. He died on the
8th of March, 1777, and was buried in his own church at Freehold, — an
immense concourse of people attending his funeral.
Mr. Tennent published a Sermon entitled *' An exhortation to walk *in
Ghrist," preached at New Brunswick, August 8, 1787, upon the Monday
after the Sacramental solemnity. It is included in' a volume entitled
** Sermons on Sacramental occasions by divers ministers," printed in 1789.
ALk>, a Sermon npon Matthew v. 28, 24, 1769.
Judge Boudinot relates the following, among other anecdotes of Mr.
Tennent, illustrative of his eminent piety : —
''He was attending the duties of the Lord's dsy in his own congregation as nsnal,
where the custom was to have morning and evening service, with only a half hour's
intermission to relieve the attention. He had preached in ue morning, and in the
intermission had passed into the woods for meditation,— 4he weather heing warm. He
was reflecting on the infinite wisdom of God, as manifested in all his works, and parti-
cularly in the wonderftil method of salvation, through the death and sniferingi of his
heloved Son. This subject suddenly opened on his mind with such a flood of liidit,
that his views of the glorr and the Infinite majesty of Jehoyah were so inexpressibly
great as entirely to overwhelm himj and he fell almost lifeless to the ground. When
he had revired a little, all he could do was to raise a fervent praver that God would
withdraw Himself from him. or he must perish under a view of his ineilkble glory.
When able to reflect on his situation, he could not but abhor himself as a weak and
despicable worm, and seemed to be overcome with astonishment that a creatnre so
Unworthy and insufficient had ever dared to attempt the instmction of his fellow men
in the nature and attributes of so glorious a Being. Overstaying his usual time, some
of his elders went In search of him, and feund him prostrate on the ground, xmMe to
rise, and incapable of informing them, of the cause. They raised him np, and after
some time biouffht him to the church, and supported him to the pulpit, which he
ascended on his hands and knees, to the no small astonishment of the congregation.
He remained silent a considerable time, earnestly supplicating Almisiity God <as he
told the writer) to hide Himself from him, that he might be able to address his people,
who were by tiiis time lost in wonder to know what had produced this uncommon
event; His prayers were heard, and he became able to stand up by holding the de^.
He now began the most impressive and pathetic address that the congregation had
ever received from him. He gave a surprising account of the views he had of the
infinite wisdom of God, and greatly deplored his own incapacity to speak to them
concnning a Being so infinitely glorious beyond aU his powers of description. He
attempted to show sometbhig of what had been discovered to Um of the astonishing
wisdom of Jehovah, of which it was impossible for human nature to form adequate
conoeptions. He then broke out into so fervent and expressive a prayer, as greatly to
surprise the conmgation, and draw tears feom every eye. A sermon followed that
continued the solemn scene, and made very lasting impressions on all the hearers."
Judge Boudinot elswhere says of him— and he could testify from an
intimate acquaintance : —
WILLIAM TEKKENT (Sioon). 55
" He hated and despiaed doth. Ho waa almoat always in action— noTOr wearied 'in
well-doing, nor in aemng his friends. His integrity and independence of spixit were
obserrable on the slightest aoqnsintanoe. He was so great a lorer of tmth that he
oonld not bear the least aberration from it, even in a Joke. He waa remarkable fbr
his candonr and liberality of sentiment with regard to those who dififered from him in
opinion. His hospitality and domestic enjoyments were oten proverbial. His public
^Irit waa always conspicnous, and Ms attachment to what he thoiu^t the best interests
of his country was ardent and inflexible. He took an early and decided part with his
country in the commencement of the late RcTolutionary war. He was convinced that
she was oppressed, and that her petitions to the Sovereign of the mother country were
constitutional, loyal, moderate and reasonable; that the treatment they recdved was
irrational, tyrannici^ and intolerable. As he made it a rule, however, never to carry
poUtics into the pulpit, he had no way to manifest his aeal for the public measures, but
ay his private prayers, and by his decided opinions delivered in private conversations.
But in this way his sentiments became universaUv known, and he was considered as a
warm friend to the American cause. * * * He was well read in l)iv{nity, and pro-
fessed himself a moderate Galvinist. The doctrines of man's depravity : the atonement
of the Saviour ; the absolute necessity of the all-powerful influence of the Spirit of God
to renew the heart and subdue the wuL-r-all in perfbct consistence with the free agency
of the tinner, wore among the leading articles of his fkith. • • • His people
loved him as a fkther ; revered him as the pastor and bishop of their souls ; obeyed him
as their instructer : and delighted in his company and private conversation as of a
friend and brother.''
The three followiDg letters which oame into my posseBsion aeyeral years
ago, contain notices of some of the most interesting events of the life of
Tennent, not included in the preceding narrative. I have chosen to subjoin
the letters, as being original documents, and of the highest authority. They
were addressed to the Tenerable Judge Boudinot, and oonstitnted part
of the material out of which his memoir of Tennent's Life was formed.
The first is from General J. N. Cnmming, of Newark, N. J., of Bevolu-
tionary memory; the second is from the Eev. Dr. John WoodhnU, Tennent's
snooessor at Freehold, from whose lips I once heard a statement of the same
facts; and the third is from Dr. Thomas Henderson, Tennent's family
physioian, a distinguished civilian of New Jersey, and a member of the Old
Congress. A fourth letter is added, addressed to myself, by S. J. Forman,
Bsq., of Syracuse, N. Y., who is one of the very small number now living,
who have any personal reooUeotions of that remarkable man.
7B0M GENSBAL GUMMING.
KswAEK, January 8, 18M.
Dear Sir: The Bev. William Tennent once related to me that, after lying ill
with the lung fever six weeks, in the midst of winter, about the year 1723, and
when he was about nineteen years old, he apparently died. This happened on
Sunday, whilst his brother Gilbert, with whom he lived in the city of New
Brunswick, was gone to church. His body was laid out in the usual manner, in
the back part of a room, in one of the old fashioned Dutch houses. On Monday
morning, when they went to put him into the coffin, a man by the name of Dun-
can, who was assisting, called out to the others to lay him down, for he felt his
heart beat, and was sure there was life in him. Bib brother Gilbert derided
the assertion of Duncan, and indeed there was every thing to induce a belief that
he was dead. The length of time that he had been sick, his emaciated body,
his bkck lips, his sunken eye,— aU appearances were against remaining li&.
But after this declaration of Duncan, it would not do to bury him, and the ftme-
ral was postponed till Tuesday, when the people assembled fbr the burial. In
the mean time, all means had been used to restore life. They were again about
to put tiie body into the coffin, when again Duncan called out, — " Lay him
down, for I am sure there is life in him." No oOier person believed there was
life, and yet so long as hi retained this opinion, they would not allow the ftuie-
58 PRESBYTEBIAN.
nl servioe to prooeed. The funeral wts again postponed until Wednesday, and
the means of restoring life meanwhile applied wiUi the utmost diligence and
vigour. At the time appointed, the people again assemhled, and the Doctor was
sitting on the bed-side with a looking glass in one hand, and a feather in the
other, trying them alternately at his month and his nose. At the yery last
moment, to the unspeakable surprise of all, he opened his eyes, gazed on them,
and swooned away for about two hours. Again he gazed, and again fidnted.
Shortly after, his whole body broke out in boils to such an extent that it seemed
throughout a complete ulcer; insomuch that his nurses were obliged, for nearly
a whole year, to sew up sheets, and stuff them With wool, in order to absorb the
humours. It was more than a year before he could stand upon his feet, and his
intellectual feculties seemed to be gone. He informed me that his eldest sister,
named Catharine, was one day teaching him his letters, and he obserred her to
turn her head from him, and weep with great apparent agitation; and when he
asked her what was the matter, she replied, — ''I am distressed to think that
your sickness has been so severe that, notwithstanding you have had a good
education, you have forgotten all you ever knew." Upon this information, he
said, there was a sudden return of the use of his feculties, but he was well con-
vinced that his memory was never so good after as before his sickness. I did
not ask him whether he saw- any thing in his trance. My mother told me that
he always said he should live to old age.
Thus, my dear Sir, you have all on this subject that I recollect to have heard.
My memory was always strong; and the conversation I had with this good old
man, in regard to his trance, was so impressive and extraordinary, that it is one
of the last things that can ever hde from my recollection.
Tours affectionately,
J. N. GuioaNa
FHOM THE RET. JOHN WOODHULL, D. D.
MovxouTR, H. J., December 10, 1806.
Dear Sir: Agreeably to your request, I now send in writing the remarkable
account which I some time since gave you verbally, respecting your good friend,
my worthy predecessor, the late Rev. William Tennent of this place.
In a very free and feeling conversation on religion, and on the future rest and
blessedness of the people of God, (while travelling together from Monmouth to
Princeton,) I mentioned to Mr. Tennent that I should be highly gratified in
hearing from his own mouth an account of the trance, which he was said to
have been in, unless the relation would be disagreeable to himselfl After a
short pause, he proceeded, saying that he had been sick with a fever,— that the
fever increased, and by degrees he sunk under it; and, after some time, as his
friends informed him, he died, or appeared to die, in the same manner as per-
sons usually dp; — that, in laying him out, one happened to draw his hand under
the left arm, and perceived a slight tremor in the flesh — that he was laid out— -
was cold and stiff— the time for his fhneral was appointed and the people col-
lected; that a young Doctor, — his particular fHend, plead with great earnest-
ness that he might not then be buried, as the tremor under the arm continued; —
that his brother Gilbert became impatient with the young gentieman, and said
to him — " What ! a man not dead, who is cold and stiff as a stake !" The
importunate fWend, however, prevailed — another day was appointed fer the
burial, and the people separated. During this interval, many means were made
use of to discover, if possible, some symptoms of life; but none appeared,
exdBpting the tremor. The Doctor never left him fbr three liighis and three
days, when the people again met to buiy hiin, but could not even then obtain
the consent of his fHend, who plead fer one hour more; and when that was
WILLIAM TSKNEHT (Sboovd.)- 57
gone, he plead for half an hour; and then he plead for a qnarter of an hoor;
when^ jnflt at the dose of thie, on which hnng Ids last hope, Mr. Tennent opened
hie eyes. They then pried open his month whidi was stiff, so as to get a qmll
into it, through which some liquid was conveyed into the stomach, and he hy
degrees recovered.
This account, as intimated hefore, Mr. Tennent said he had received from his
friends.
I said to him, " Sir, you seem to be one indeed raised from the dead, and may
tell us what it is to die, and what you were sensible of while in that state.*'
He replied as follows : " As to dying, I found my fever increase, and I became
weaker and weaker, until all at once, I found myself in Heaven, as I thought.
I saw no shape as to the Deity, but Qlory all unutterable! " Here he paused,
as though unable to find words to express his views, let his bridle &U, and, lift-
ing up his hands, proceeded, — " I can say as Saint Paul did, I heard and I saw
things all unutterable! I saw a great multitude before thU glory, apparently
in the hmght of bliss, singing most melodiously; and I was transported with
my own situation, viewing all my dangers and all my troubles ended, and
my rest and glory begun; and was about to Join the great and happy multitude,
when one came to me, looked me fhll in the fiuse, laid his hand on my shoulder,
and said, — ' Tou must go back,* These words went through me, — nothing could
have shocked me more — ^I cried out, * Lord, must I go back? ' With this shock,
I opened my eyes in this world. When I saw I was in the world, I fitinted;
then revived and fainted several times; as one probably would naturally have
done in so weak a situation.''
Mr. Tennent Airther informed me that he had so entirely lost the recollection
of his past life, and the benefit of his former studies, that he could neither under-
stand what was spoken to him, nor write nor read his own name; that he had
to begin all anew, and did not recollect that he had ever read before, until he had
again learned his letters, and was able to pronounce the monosyllables, such as
thee and thou; but that, as his strength returned, which was very slowly, his
memory also returned. Tet, notwithstanding the extreme feebleness of his
situation, his recollection of what he saw and heard while in Heaven, as he sup-
posed, and the sense of Divine things which he there obtuned, continued all the
time in their full strength; so that he was continually in something like an
ecstacy of mind. And said he, " for three years, this sense of Divine things
continued so great, and every tiling else appeared so completely vain, when
compared to Heaven, that could I have had the world by stooping down to pick
it up, I believe I should not have thought of doing it.'*
Having thus complied with your request, it may not be improper for me to
add that, since Mr. Tennent's death, I conversed with his son, the Rev. William
Tennent of South Carolina, on this subject, and he agreed in every particular,
with one exception— 4iamely, he understood that his father recovered his memory
instantaneously.
I am. Dear Sir, affectionately yours,
In the dear Immanuel,
JOHN WOODHULL.
FROM DR. HENDERSON.
FaxxHOLD, Monmouth, March 80, 1806.
Dear Sir: As I understand you have already been informed by Dr. Woodhull
of the remarkable vision or trance of which Mr. Tennent was once the subject,
I shall omit all allusion to that memorable event in the few notices of his char-
acter that I am about to Aimish.
With regard to the manner in which he discharged the duties of the pastoral
9iBce, I can say something fh>m actual knowledge, having lived ohiefiy under his
Vol. in. 8
58 FBE8BYTEBIAK.
cninktrj from my inlanoy to hk deathi^'^Hk period of betwiMn twenty 4Uid thirty
ye«r8# « I think I may B»y with coafidenoe th«t he :wa8' regarded by ail olaeses
as » iiarventi impressi?e» and encocBaftd {tteaoherot the Gospel; and I doubt not
that the Records of hia chnrch will prove that a greater numbcor were received to
oommnniony during his ministry, than in any other chnrch in the then Province.
His labours in spiritual concerns were far from being confined to the pnlpit: he
was indefatigabLB in his endeavours to do good in private. A considerable part
of his time he appropriated to visiting his congregation, and would apply the
truths of the Qospel personally to individuals of every age, rank, and character;
and he was particularly attentive to the little children of his charge, taking care
that they were early taught the Catechism, and explaining the various doctrines
of the Gospel to their comprehension, as they were able to receive them. He
was. remarkable for his great attention to the particular situation of persons
afflicted either in body or mind, and would visit them ofteui and with as much
dare as a physician would do, and proved frequently a very comforting spiritual
physician to their souls. As a peace-maker, I am of opinion that none in our
day have excelled, — ^few have equalled, him . If he heard of any diiferenoe aris-
ing in his congregation, he would scarcely give sleep to his eyes, b^re he would
attempt to bring about a recon^liation between the parties; and he hardly ever
remitted his efforts till his object was accomplished. Thus much concerning the
general character of ou^ mutual and dear friend I am able to state ftom my own
knowledge.
With regard to any striking fiusts or anecdotes in the history of Mr. Tennent,
1 will mention two or three, though there ia perhaps only one of them that you
will deem worthy of much notice. Though I did not have it immediately from
Mr. Tennent himself, yet I have heard the particulars so frequently stated by my
parents, who were members of his church, and my father an elder, that I am
confident I cannot be mistaken in respect to them. The drcumstances were as
follows: Mr. Tennent, while young in the ministry, had a contemporary of the
name of John Rowland,^ who had preached once or more in a church in the
Oounty of Hunterdon, N. J., but not often enough, or recently enough, to be
readily known by the congregation. Mr. Tenhent and Mr. Rowland had both
gone on a preaching tour into Maryland orVixginia; and, in their absencci a
certain young man by the name of Tom Bell, who knew Mr. Rowland, and who
strikingly resembled him in his outward appearance, but who was a most artful
and accomplished scoundrel, dressed himself as much like Mr. Rowland as he
could, changed his name to that of John Rowland, and professing to be a min-
ister of the Gospel, went into the congregation above alluded to, and passed him-
self off as the minister who had preached to them some time before. He accepted
an invitation to pass the rest of the week with one of the members of the church,
and to preach on the succeeding Sabbath. The impostor was treated with erery
* Jon BowLAVD wMaDatiTe of Waleit mmib to tUf ooentiy ia mAj Ufa, and reoeived Ut
edueation for the minigtiy at the Log OoUego. Ho wm takon midor tho oare of tho Now
Bmnfwlok PmbrtorT at its flui moetiiiff, Auniat 8, 1788, in dinrogaid of a itiiDdiiic ndo of
wrj> aauiuu iinuvE^ Mn vxaaunwion on am ouwnau aou BoiouuiiQ •Mauunauw ut • wiuiiiiiww
of Synod. Tho P^Vytory, boUering thii role to bo an nndno infrlngomoni or tho righte of
PrMbytorioa, and oon^doiuut it aa doiignod to operato partloolaily a^dnat tho Log (^Uogo,
dotorminod to roaiii it : and noooa araao tho violont dinonilon botwoon ihii PnabytoiT and the
Synod, whioh isnod ia a diviiion of tho latter body into two parti,-^o Old and tho Now
Sldo. Mr. Rowland, having gone through tho prMoribod triala, waa lioanaed to proaoh on tho
7th of Soptombor $ bnt tho l^nod roftiaocrto ooudder him a mombor of tboir body. On tho ron^
day of bifl lioonooio, an applioation waa mado for hia aonrieea by tho nnitod Oongregationa of
Maldonhoad (Lawrenoo) and Hopowoll (Ponninglon) . Ho aeooptod tho invitation, and a great
rariTal of religion attended hit labonn. After aomo timo, ho nmored ftom Now Jon^v I '
" UTaho
Ponn^lTania, whore he had oham of a oongrai^tlon in what ia ealled '*ikub Great YtSltiy,
and alao of New Provldenoe, near Norriatown, though moeh of hia time aeemi to have been idoi
in itinorating. He died bofore the antomn of 1747. Dr. HenderMn_of Frediold
* a ^y^w»MM^^tig eloanonoe and manv eatimable onalitiei."^
L of the limplioity of Ohilit difeam&lo la hia behaiioiir.^
poawawd a oommandiwg ekx^ionoe and many eattmable gnalitiei.^* Whitefleld tMr-** There
WILLIAM TENKEHT, (Sioovd ) ^50
mark of respect Jbj the fiimily >rho had thus proffered Mm their ho^tality; sad,
in order the more effecstaally to blind them, to his character and^his purpose, he
occupied a room by himself as a study, in which he was proiSssaedly making, his
preparation for the Sabbath. When the Sabbath morning came, and the family
had got ready to go to church, it was proposed that the pretended minister
should take a seat in the wagon in which the fiimily were to be conveyed, while
the gentleman of the house would ride on horseback. Thus they went to diurch*
but when they arriyed there, the clerical rogue suddenly made the discovery that
he had left his notes behind, and begged his host to allow him to mount his horse,
(a remarkably fine one,) and return to his house and get his notes, promising
to be there to commence the service within a short time. The proposal being
readily consented to, the impostor rode back to the gentleman's house, and,
having rifled the desk of whatever he could find in it that was valuable, went off
with all speed in a different direction, and thus made his escape. Several per-
sons saw him on the horse, and addressed him as Mr. Rowland. When Mr.
Rowland, after some time, returned to the Province, he was immediately prose-
cuted for horse-stealing; and when the case came to trial, Mr. Tennent appeared
as a witness, proving that he and Mr. Rowland were, on that very Sabbath, at a
particular place in Maryland or Yiiginia, and that one or both of them preached
there. In consequence of this testimony, Mr. Rowland was honourably
acquitted.
At that time, there were many leading families in that part of the Province,
who evinced a deadly hostility to the Gospel, and who were upon the lookout
for opportunities to bring its ministers into contempt. Perceiving the great and
increasing influence of Mr. Tennent, and the remarkable success that attended
his labours, they entered into a conspiracy against him^ and succeeded in getting
him indicted, by a grand Jury of the County of Huntingdon, for perjury. Mr.
Tennent was charged upon his indictment, and plead " not guilty." The trial
was put off as usual to another term. His enemies, who were also the enemies
of religion, had engaged distinguished counsel, whose anti-christiau sympathies
were entirely with their own. Mr. Tennent or his friends secured the best
counsel they could get. At the time when the trial was to come on, Mr. Tennent
attended at Trenton, and, in the morning, before the court was opened, was
asked by his counsel, where his witnesses were; and his reply was, " I have no
witnesses. Gentlemen, that I know of, but God and ray own conscience.'' " Tou
haoB no witnesses. Sir," replied the attorneys, with the utmost astonishment, —
" then you had better have the trial put off :— you know what testimony will be
brought against you, and what efforts will be made to ruin you; and you will
inevitably be convicted, unless you are able to meet them with an opposing tes-
timony." Mr. Tennent answered, — ''I know it well; but I wiU* never put it
into the power of my enemies to charge me with a wish to delay the trial, or
with being afraid to meet the law or justice. I know my innocence; and my
God, whose I am, and whom I serve, and in whom I place all my confidence,
knows it, and he will never sufier me to fall by the snares of the devil, or the wicked
machinations of his agents — go to trial. Gentlemen." His attorneys informed
him that his confidence in God as a Christian or a minister of the Gospel was
no doubt well founded, and before a Heavenly Tribunal would be all-important
to him; but that it would avail him nothing before a Court of Law, and again
urged his consent to have the trial put off. He, however, persisted in his deter-
mination to let the trial take its course, assuring them that he had such entire
confidence that God would bring about his deliverance in some way or other, that
he did not wish for a moment's delay. They were so out of patience with him,
that they did not hesitate to tell him that his, conduct was more worthy of a wild
enthusiast, or a downright madman, than of a prudent Christian. But he still
charged them to go to court, and lot the case oome to trial without loss of
60 FBBSBTTBBIAV.
tiine, and left them in a state of utter perplejit7 as to irhat oonrse they
should pursue; ibr the bell was then ringing for the Court to assemble. He had
not walked far in the street, before he met a gentleman and lady, the former of
whom inquired whether Us name was William Tennent. He replied in the
affirmative, and asked the gentleman if he had any business with him. The
answer was, " Ton will best know, when I tell you whence I came, and what
has brought me hither; but I should like to know whether you were in Maryland
[or Yiiginia] at such a time, in company with Mr. John Rowland, minister of
the Gospel.'' Upon being answered in the afflrmatiTe, he asked him if he recol-
lected their lodging, a certain Saturday night, at the house of a person by the
name of ■ and going to church on the ensuing Sabbath with the fomily,
and one or both preaching, Ac. Mr. Tennent said he did. The gentleman
replied, — " I am that man in whose hoose you lodged that night, and this is my
wifo." Mr. Tennent took them by the hand, and expressed his great satisftc-
tion at seeing them; for the Sabbath reibrred to proyed to be the very one on
which Mr. Tennent had sworn that Mr. Bowland was with him m Maryland or
Vii^ginia;— on which oath was based the accusation of peijuiy. The gentleman
then expUuned the reason of his being there: he said that, several nights before,
he and his wife awoke in the night at the same time,— each having had the same
singqlar dream; which was, that he (Mr. Tennent) was at Trenton in the great-
est possible distress, and that it was in their power alone to relieve him. They,
however, suffered it to pass as an ordinary dream, and both went to sleep again;
but they had the same dream a second, and even a third, time; and they were
then so much impressed with the extraordinary circumstance, tiuit they imme-
diately arose firom bed, prepared for thor Journey, and had travelled with all
speed till they had reached Trenton. " And now,*' said the gentleman, " you
can tell whether we have any business with you or not." Mr. Tennent. begged
them instantly to accompany him to the court house, the Oourt then being in
the act of meeting. The case was forthwith called; the witnesses on both sides
examined; the cause submitted to the jury; Mr. Tennent triumphantly acquit-
ted; and his adversaries overwhelmed with conftision.
Another anecdote oocnrs to me, illustrative of Mr. Tennent's knowledge of
human nature, and of his disposition always to be about his Master's bnsiness.
On a certain occasion, he was travellmg wiUi a brother minister on a missionary
tour at the South, when they stopped at an inn, and engaged lodgings for the
night. At sapper they met several gentlemen who were strangers to them; and
when the cloth was removed, Mr. Tennent and the other minister withdrew
from the table. A pi^ of cards was immediately brought forward; and one
of the gentlemen, not knowing that there were any ministers present, asked
Mr. Tennent and his clerical brother if they would tdce a cut with them; mean-
ing thereby to determine by lot who should play. Mr. Tennent replied, —
** With all my heart. Sir, if you can convince us that we are thereby serving
our Master's cause, or doing anything in aid of the oljeot of our mission."
This drew some observations from the stranger, which were replied to hj Mr.
Tennent in substance as follows: — ** This gentleman " (meaning his companion)
<* and myself are ministers of the Gospel: we both profess ourselves Ohrist's
servants: we are sent out on his business, which is to persuade men to become
reconciled to God." These remarks, made with great sincerity and kindliness
of manner, produced such an efibct upon the company, that the cards were
immediately removed, and a willingness manifested to listen to Mr. Tennent and
his friend on the most momentous of all concerns. They gladly availed cxiein-
selves of the opportunity of doing their Master's work, and spent the evening in
explaining to the company, into whksh they had been thus provideAtiaUy thrown,
the great truths and duties of religion.
WILLIAM TSHHBHT (Saoom>). 61
I recollect another anecdote which I had from Goronor IMn^Umg which
Bhowg how entirely Mr. Tennent's will was swallowed up in tlM will of his
Heayenly Father. The Goyemor stated that, when, ataoertaixi time, Mr.
Whitefield was traveling in Jersey, Mr. Tenncnt accompanied him to Boond
Brook, (if I rememher right,) and after Divine seryice on a week day, a Mr-
Van Home inyited Messrs. Whitefield, Tennent, liyingston, and some other
gentlemen to dine with him. In the course of the oonyersation that oocorred
at the dinner, Mr. Whitefield introduced the subject of death, — expressing him-
self as weaxy of the trials and labours of life, and desiring to depart and be
with Christ. Turning to Mr. Tennent, he said, ** And what do you say. Brother
Tennentr— don't you want to get your dismissal too ?'* Mr. T. replied, — '' I
haye no wish about it: I haye nothing to do with death: my business is to liye
as long as I can, as well as I can, and to senre my Lord and Master as fiuthfiiUy
as I can, until it shall be his pleasure to call me to my rest." " But," says Mr.
Whitefield, if it were left to your own choice, would you not wish to depart
and be with Christy rather than to encounter the iktigues and trials of this
mortal state ?" Mr. Tennent replied, " I wish to haye no choice about it; I
am God's servant, and am engaged to do his business as long as he pleases to
continue me therein. But, Brother Whitefield, permit me to ask yon one ques-
tion : — ^What would you think of a person who had engaged to serve you
with all fidelity to the end of his life, if he should, without any breach of cove-
nant on your part, and before he had one-half performed the servke allotted him,
become weary of your service, and be constantly expressing a wish for some
easier condition— would you not say that he was a lasy, unfkithftl creature,
and as such dismiss him entirely from your service ?" Mr.JUaringston told me
that Mr. Whitefield appeared to feel the force of'^the reproof, and to receive it as
a Christian; and that the company seemed much pleased at the ingenious and
Christian-like manner in which it was administered.
I will dose my communication (already too long) by detailing one more cir-
cumstance which fell within my immediate knowled^, illustratiye alike of Mr.
Tennent's love of country, and submission to the Divine will. He took the
deepest interest in our Revolutionary struggle, believing, as he did, that the
great cause of the world's civil freedom was bound up in it. When he was
attacked wi^ his last illness, I was sent for as his fiunily physician; but it
happened to be Just at the moment that I was setting off for Bbtddenfleld, to
wait upon the Legislature of the State on important public business. I called
on Mr. Tennent, after setting out on my Journey, and, having learned the par-
ticulars of his case, I told him that I had but a few moments to stay, as it was
then night, and I had more than twenty miles to ride before I slept; but that
his case was an alarming one, — that it required the strictest attention, and that
I advised him to avail himself at once of the best medical aid that ooidd be pro-
cured. He replied that he was fully aware of the violence of the attack, and
thought it more than probable that it would have a fatal result; "but, blessed
be God," says he, " I have no wish to live, if it should be the good pleasure of
my Heayenly Father to call me hence." After a moment's pause, he seemed to
recollect himself, and varied the expression somewhat in ttds way — *• I have no
wish to liye longer, unless it should be to see a happy issue of the conflict in
which my country is now engaged; but the will of the Lord be done." On my
return from Haddenfield, I hastened to see him, and was with him during the
last twenty-four hours of his life. His death was worthy of his lifo,— Ihll of
Christian serenity and Joyfhl hope. I believe it may be said of our departed
friend, as truly as of any man who has lived during the present age, that he
lived habitually under the infiuence of the powers of the world to come.
I am, dear Sir, with respect,
Your obedient, humble servant,
THGICAS HEN DERSOir.
Q2 PRESBTTESIAJT.
FROM S. J. FOBKAH, EtQ.
Stbaovbs, i26th October, 1847.
Iter, and dear Sir: 1 regret to saj that my tvminificeDces of the celebrated
William Temient are too scanty and unimportant to be of any use to you. Ney-
eHliellesa, since you ask for them> such as I have, g^ve I unto you.
My parents were members of Mr. Tennent's church, and my yery early years
were spent under his ministry. I distinctly recollect to have seen him once at my
father's house, in company with some of my rektives, with whom he was there
visiting. In person he was tall— of a large frame, but spare, and of a long thin
visage. He wore a large white wig. I remember that his manners were very
pleasing to me. When he came into the house, I heard him say to some person
behind him — ''in spite of your teeth;" and at the same time, he shut his own
teeth, and shook the curls of his long wig, twisting his hands together, and
seemed to be in very high spirits. As my mother met him at the door of her
room, he clasped both her hands with both of his, in the most cordial and affec-
^nate manner. There was a facetiousness about his whole appearance that I
never could forget. The party had come for a sleigh ride, about fourteen mileSy
in the month of April, and returned after candle light, Ibr fear that the snow
would leave them. I have always thought that Mr. Tennent resembled the like-
ness of Lord Chatham.
One of Mr. Tennent's sons was a physician. At one time, he inoculated a
large number for the small pox, in a spacious fiurm house; and, while his patients
(of whom I was one) were yet under treatment, he was himself taken sick and
died suddenly. The patients had to scatter to their respective homes. One of
his sons was a clergyman in Charleston, S. 0., where he died. While I was
yet a minor in a counting-house in New Tork, I was sent to Charleston as a
supercai^, and, during my stay in the city, BCrs. Tennent heard of me, and
sent for me to come to her house. Though I was an entire stranger to her, her
intimacy with some of my connections in New Jersey led her to show me that
civility. With much esteem and respect,
I am, Rev. and dear Sir,
Tour very obedient servant,
S. J. FORMAN.
SAMUEL BLAIR *
178a-1751,
Samitxl Blair was bom m Ireland, June 14, 1712. In early yonth he
became hopefiilly a subjeot of renewing grace. He came to America while
quite young, and reoeived his education at the Log College, at Neshaminy,
under the Eev. William Tennent. He must have been among the earliest
pupils of that institution, as he was afterwards among the most dislan-
guished men whom it sent forth. Having completed his preparatory course
of both olassioal and theological study, he was licensed to preach, on the 9th
of November, 1788, by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, and in May of the
next year, was called to Middletown and Shrewsbury, and also, to Millstone
• Mm«r*f Bet. n.— Mui. Ito. M^. in.-^Hift. Log Oo]].-Web0t«r-f UBB.
SAMUEL BLAIB. 63
aod Onmberry, N. J. He accepted the fonner call in September following,
and shortly after was ordained.
Here he continued about five yean ; bat there are no records remaining
to indicate the amount of success that attended his labours. He was one
of- the original members of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, which was
fbnned in 1788. In 1789, he was earnestly solicited to settle in New
Londonderry, otherwise called Fagg's Manor, in Pennsylvania. Not being
willing to decide the question of duty which this call presented to him, he
referred it to the Presbytery ; and, after mature deliberation, they advised
him to accept the call, on the ground that it would be the means of extending
Ids usefulness. He acted in accordance with their advice ; but his instal-
lation did not take place till April, 1740, though he removed to his now
residence, and commenced his labours among the people in November, 1789.
Shortly after his settlement at New Londonderry, he established a classi-
cal school of the same general character with that of Mr. Tennent, in which
he had himself been educated. At this school were trained several young
men, who afterwards ranked among the most prominent clergymen of the
Presbyterian Church ; and one at least, — ^the Bev. Samuel Davies, among
the greater lights of his generation.
Li connection with Mr. Blair's ministry at New Londonderry, there
occurred, in the year 1740, a very remarkable revival of religion, of which
a minute account is preserved in a letter firom Mr. Blair to the Rev. Thomas
Prince of Boston, published in the " Christian History."
Mr. Blair was a prominent actor in those scenes which, in his day, agita-
ted and finally divided die Presbyterian Church. He agreed with Gilbert
Tennent in his opinions, and co-operated with him in his measures ; and of
course rendered himself obnoxious to the " Old Side " party in the Church.
In his doctrinal views he was a thorough Calvinist, as appears from his
Treatise on Predestination and Beprobation. As a preacher he was distin-
guished for solemnity and impressiveness : his very appearance, before he
opened lus lips, is said to have struck his hearers with awe. The opinion
wluch Mr. (alterwards President) Davies entertained of his preaching, may
be inferred from the following anecdote which is given upon the autibority
of the late Dr. Bodgers of New Tork : — When Mr. Davies returned from
Europe, his friends were curious to learn his opinion of the celebrated
preachers whom he had heard in England and Scotland. After dealing out
Uberal commendations on such as he had most admired, he concluded by
saybg that he had heard no one, who, in his judgment, was superior to his
former teacher, the Bev. Samuel Blur.
Mr. Blur's last illness was contracted from his going, upon an urgent
call, and in an enfeebled state of body, to meet the Trustees of New Jersey
College. As he approached his end, he expressed the strongest desire to
depart and be with Christ; and but a minute or two before his dqpartore,
he exclaimed, *' The Bridegroom is come, and we shall now have all things.^^
He seemed to breathe the atmosphere of Heaven, before he had actiD^ally
passed the Heavenly portals. His remains lie in the burying, ground U,
Fflgg*9 Manor, where his monument is yet to be seen. It bears tiiefdtow-
ing ii|fcription:rr-
" BBBB LUTK VKH body Of
TBX H&y. SAMUEL BLAIR,
WBO DXPiJttSD THll UfB
TBM mm BAT Of JULY, 1761,
AQMfi sBmr-nvi tbabs An nmnnr-oo pays.
04 PBESBYTERIAK.
" In yonder ucred honae I spent mj tareathy
'' Now silent, monldering, here I lie In deslh;
** These lips shall wake, and yet dedare
'* ▲ dread Amen to truths they published there.''
In the year 1754, the principal writings of Mr. Blair were oolleoted by
his brother John, and published in Philadelphia, together with an Elegy by
the Bey. Samuel Dayies, and Dr. Finley's Funeral Sermon. The yolume
contains Seyen Sermons on important practical subjects, an elaborate
Treatise on Predestination and Reprobation, and a " Yindioation,*' written
by the direction of the Presbytery of New Branswick, in answer to **ihe
goyemment of the church," &c., by the Bey. John Thompson. As a writer,
Mr. Blair seems to haye been distinguished rather for profound thought,
methodical arrangement, and perspicuous style, than for the graces and
elegances of composition.
The following extracts from Mr. Dayies' Elegy and from Dr. Finley's
Funeral Sermon, show the estimate which they had of Mr. Blair's diarao-
ter: —
FBOM MB. DAYIES' ELEGY.
" — Blair is no more— Then this poor world has lost
As rich a Jewel as her stores could hoast;
Heaven, in Just yengeance, has recalled again
Its fUthftil enyoy from the sons of men;
Adyanced him from his pious toils below,
In raptures there in kindred plains to glow.
" Oj had not the moumfril news diyulged,
My mind had still the pleasing dream indulged—
Sull fkncied Blair with health and vigour blessed,
With some grand purpose labouring in his breast.
In studious thought, pursuing Truth Divine,
TiU the taU demonstration round him shine;
Or ft^m the sacred desk, proclaiming loud
His Master's message to the attentive crowd.
While Heavenly truth with bright conviction gjlares,
And coward error shrinks sad disappears:
While quick remorse the hardy sinner fbeis,
And Calv'ry's balm the bleeding conscience hesls.
** Oh! could the Muse's languid colours paint
The man, the scholar, student, preacher, saint,
I'd place his image frul in public view, -
His friends should know more than before they knew.
His fbes astonished at his yirtnes, gase,
Or shrink confounded from the obpressive blase.
To tracQ his brij^t example, all should turn.
And with the bravest emulstion bum.
His name should my poor lays immortalise.
Till he, to attest his character, arise.
And the Gfreat Judge the encomium ratifies."
FROM DB. VIHLET'S FUNEBAL SEBMOH.
" He was blessed wHh early piety. On his dyfag bed, he oouldreooUect with delight,
yarions evidences of gracious influences in his tender years. By this means, he was
happily preserved from being ever engaeed in vicious courses; and. at once grew in
stature and in grace. Belision, far from befaiff a flashy thfaig with him, was rational
and solid, maniresting itself in unreserved obedience to all Gk>d^ commandments.
'' To a holy disposition was added a great genius, capable of the highest improve-
ment. He had a deep and penetrating Judgment, a dear and regular way of con-
ceiving thhigs, and a retentive memory. He was an indefktigabie student, a calm
and impartial searcher after truth. He thought fl>r himself, and was determined hi
his conclusions, only by evidence. He had a very considerable store of critical learn-
ing, and was espedslly conversant with the Scriptures hi the original languages. How
great his attainmentsm philosophy were, was known hy (bwj mr in his last years, his
SAMUEL BLAIR. ^5
thint ft>r knowledfle did aenslblj inoreftWi and he greatly improTed himself therehi.
He gtadled aeTenubnnches of the mathematios, and especially geometiy and astron-
omy | nor will these seem tasteless studies to one who had snch a savour of liring
piety, when it Is considered that he saw the glory of God In all his works, and admi-
red and adored Him in all. He delighted to see the ' invisible things of Uim, OTon
his eternal power and Godhead, manifested by the things that are made.' It was edi-
fying to him to trace the footsteps of the Divhie wisdom in particulars, and the infinite
reach of projection in the Aramo and structure of the whole.
'' But his critical and philoeophlcal learning, and his large aoqualntanoe with geogra-
phy and history, were exceeded by his knowledge in Divinity. This was the business
of his liib, and herein he made such proficiency as Ibw of his standing in the ministry
have attamed unto. Here he found what perfectly answered his refined spritual taste.
The contemplation of redeeming love did much more elevate his soul, than that of the
works of creation ; for therein he saw the wisdom, the power, the Justice, and the love
of God, more clearly displaved. On every sulject he had a set of most accurately
studied thou^its. He had often weighed in an Impartial balance every theological
controversy: and was a solid disputant, and able to defend all necessary truth. He
Uras a Judicious casuist, and could very satisiyini^ resolve dubious and perplexed
cases of conscience. He wan not only a proficient in systematic Divinity, which Is
comparatively a small attainment, but a great textuary . He studied the sacred oracles
above all other things, and that it was not in vain, manifestly appeared from his great
ability in dividing the word of truth. He could ** briuK out of his treasure things new
and old." How clearly and AiUy would he explain bu suljecii with what irresistible
arguments confirm the truth! with what admiraUe dexterity accommodate it to his
audience! and with what solemn pungen<7 did he impress it on the conscience! He
spoke like one who knew the worth of souls, and felt in hiinself the surest constramts of
love to God and man.
'' As to his religious principles, he was of noble and generous sentiments. He had
not so learned Ohrist as to be fhnous in his zeal fer mere circumstantial or Indlflbrent
points. He understood the nature of religion better than to place it in tUngi In whi<^
it does not consist; and was too much exercised about the great matters of Xhe law, to
be equidly aealous fer ' mbt, anise and cummfai.' Though sacrifice be good, yet
he had learned that ' mercy is better.' He believed, and that m accordance with
the Scriptures, thai the communion oC safaits is of much greater importance, than
many of those things ia which Chrisiians differ in Judgment, and was, therefore, fer
from such narrowness, as to make every principle and practice which he thought to be
cood and true, a term of communion ; and he was as far fh>m the contrary extreme of
mdiiference to the truth, and loxness of discipline. As he was diligent in the exercise
of his ministerial office, to the utmost of his strength, not sparing himself, so did CM
very remarkably succeed his feithftil ministrations to the conversion of many souls.
He was the sphrltual fether of great numbers. I have hod acquaintance with Chris-
tians in diiferent places, where he only preached occasionally, who gave all hopefU
evidences of a sacred conversion, and acknowledged him to be the instrument of it.
He was strict In discipline, yet so as to be still candid; and severely lust, yet so as to
be stm compassionate and tender. And with what wisdom and drcnmspection he
Judged in difficult cases, his brethren of the Presbytery well knew. We waited for
his sage remarks, and heard attentively his prudent reasonlngB; and after his words,
how seldom' had any one oocasl<m to speak again! ^ His speech dropped upon us, and
we waited for him as for the rain.' He has Seen eminently serviceable to the Church,
1^ assisting several promising youths In thefa* studies for the ministry; who, becondng
learned by his hutructions, and formed by hia example, are now wise, usefhl and
feltXfol ministers*
He was remarkably grave and solemn in his aspect and deportment; yet. of a cheer-
fel, even, and pleasant temper. And in conversation with his Intimate friends, fece-
tious and witty, when the season and concurring chrcumstances would allow him to
indulge In that way: in reegpect of which, his prudence could well direct him. He was
of a generous and liberal disporiUon,— 4kr from being niggardly or covetous; was fore-
most in acts of charity to the In^gent, according to his ability, and in all his conduct
discovered a noble indiflbrehoe toward earthly things.
'' If we consider him as a friend, he was as firm and steadfest, and might as much
be depended upon, as any I ever knew. He was remote fh>m precarious and fickle
humours ; his approbation was not easily obtained, nor easily lost. Nor was he a friend
only in compUment, but would cheerfhily undergo hardships, and suffito disadvantsges, '
In order to do a friendly office. He was conscientiously punctual In attendhig eoole*
siastical Judicatures. Presbyteries or Synods. His presence might be d^iended upon.
If nothing extraoidmary intervened, as oertahily as the aroolnted day. He was not
absent on every trifiing inconvenience. In this respect his conduct was truly exem-
plary, and demonstrated his constant care for the public hiterests of religion. So
gniat was his attention to matters of oommoh concern, as to inolfaie him rather to
expose himself, than balk an opportunity of doing good.
ToL. m. 9
66 PRESBTTERIAK.
" In Bodal life also, he wu worthy of imiUtlon. As a hosband, he was ailboUonaie
and kind; as a father, tender and Indulgent. Inhinii condescension and authority-
were dnly tempered. There was thai in him that could enngs love and command
reverence at the same time. Who that was acquainted with him, would not be ready
to say, — * happy was the fkmily of which he was the head, and happy the congregation
that ei^oyed his mfaiistry^-happv the ludicature of which he was a member, and happy
the person who was favoured with his friendship !' He was a public blessing to the
Church, an honour to bis people, an ornament to his profession, who ' magnOed his
office.' He spoke as he believed; he practised as he preached; he lived holy, and died
jovfully.
" For a long course of years, he had a habitual, increasmg assurance of his interest
in the favour of Cxod^ and that a blessed and glorious eternity would one day open upon
him; which were his own emphatical words on his dying bed. This his assurance,
was solid and scriptural, arising from the many and clear experiences he had of gra-
cious communications to his soul. He was made sensible in his early years of his
guilty state by nature as well as practice; felt his inability to deliver himself; saw
plainly that he lay at mercy, and that it was entirely at God's ploasnre to save or
iciect him. This view of the' case created in him a restless concern, until the way of
liie through Jesus Christ was gradously discovered to him. Thus he saw that God
could save him in consistency with all the honours of governing iustice : (br that the
obedience and sufferings of Christ in the room of sinners have made a sufficient atone-
ment for sin. He saw that Christ was a Saviour every way complete and suitaUe for him .
His soul approved the Divine and glorious plan; and freely disclaiming all dejpendance
on his own righteousness, wisdom and strength, most gladly accepted the o£fer of the
Groepel, that Christ should be his * wisdom, righteousness, sancdflcation, and redemp-
tion.' Strict holiness was his choice, and it was the delightM busfaiess of his life to
do always those things which pleased bis Heavenly Father. And on his dying bed, he
had the AiU approbation and testimony of his conscience, as to the general bent and
tenor of his lift). These particulars are the heads of what he himself told me in his last
sickness, and are delivered in the same order, as near as I can poasiUy recollect."
DAVID COWELL *
1786—1761.
David Cowxll was bom in Wrentham, Mass., in the year 1704. He
wag graduated at Harvard College in 1782. Having studied Theology, and
reoeived license to preach, he went to Trenton, N. J., in the antomn of
1785, where he was employed to supply a vacant pulpit. On the 7ih of
April, 1786, he received a call to settle there, which he accepted ; and the
Presbytery of Philadelphia ordained and installed him on the 8dof Novem-
ber following. The sermon on the occasion was preached by the Ilev.
Jedediah Andrews of Philadelphia.
In the division of the Presbyterian Church in 1741, Mr. Cowell main-
tained a somewhat neutral position. He remained with the Old Side, and
had no sympathy with what he regarded the extreme measures of the New
Brunswick party; but he still remained in intimate relations with President
Burr, and others belonging to the same side. The Commissions of the
two Synods met at Trenton, in 1749, to consult in regard to a re-union,
and Mr. Cowell was chosen Moderator ; but nothing more decisive was done
at the meeting, than to agree that each Synod should more fully prepare
proposals of reconciliation, and that there should be, in the meantime, a
mutual endeavour to cultivate a friendly and fraternal spirit.
• Hodge's Hist. Pietb. Oh.— Webster's HSS.— Bev. Dr. Pieroe>s MBS.— MS. ftem Bev. Dt.
JohnHaU.
DATID OOWSLL. QJ
Mr. Oowell was a devoied friend to New Jersey College, and was one of
its Tmstees from its foundation till his death. He was a great admirer of
Davies, and Had mnok to do in seonring his election to the Presideni^ of
the College. To induce his acceptance of the place, he wrote thus to him:*-^
« Tbs College ought to be esteemed of as much importance to the interests of rdi-
gion and liberty as any other institution of the kind in America. God, at first, in a
most remarkable manner, owned and blessed it. It was the Lord's doing. He erected
it; ibr our beginning was nothing. He carried it on till it was marvellous in our eyes.
But it hath been under terrible frowns of Divine Providence : first in the loss of Mr.
Burr,— the Ufb and soul of it; and then of Mr. Edwards, from whom we had such
raised expectations. May the Father of mercies look with pity and compassion on
the work of his own hands! I am sensible that your leaving Virginia is attended with
groat difficulties ; but I cannot think your afikhrs of equal importance with the College."
On the nnion of the two Synods, Mr. Oowell joined the New Branswick
Presbytery, and continned in relation with it till his death. He died, in his
fifty-seventh year, on the 1st of December, 1760, — ^having never been
married. President Davies preached his Funeral Sermon, from Hebrews
iv. 11, — ^from which the following is an extract: —
" During the short time I have been a resident of this Province, he [Mr. Oowell]
has been my verv intimate fMend; and I have conversed with him in hts most unre-
served hours, when conversation was the imsge of his soul. I had only a general
acquaintance with him ibr ten years before.
. *^ The characteristics of his youth were a serious, virtuous, religious turn of ndnd,
ftee ftom the vices and vanities of that thons^ess age, and a remarkable thirst for
knowledge; and I am witness how lively a taste for books and knowledge he dierished
to the last. He appeared to me to have a mind steadily and habitually bent towards
God and holiness. If his religion was not bo warm and passionate as that of
some, it was perhaps proportionally more even, uniform and rational. His roli^pon was
not a transient passion, out appeared to be a settled temper. Humility and modesty,
those gentle virtues, seemed to shine in him with a very amiable lustre. He often
imposed a voluntary silence upon himself, when he would have made an agreeable
flgnre in conversation. He was fond of giving way to his brethren with whom he
might Justly have claimed an equality, or to encouraoe modest worth in his inforiors.
Hewss not impudently liberal of unasked advice, though very Judicious, impartial,
and communicative, when consulted. He had an easy, gracefU negligence in his car-
riage,—a noble indifference about setting himself off; he seemed not to know his own
accomplishments, though thev were so conspicuous that many a man has made a bril-
liant appearance with a small share of them. He had a remarkable command of his
passions; he appeared calm and nnruffled amid the storms of the world,— peaceftil and
serene amid the commotions and uproar of human passions. Bemarkaoly cautious
and deliberaie, slow to determine, and especially to censure, he was well guarded
against extremes. In matters of debate, and espedaUy in rcuigious controversy, he .
was rather a moderator and compromiser than a party. Though he could not be
neuter, but Judged for himself to direct his own conduct, he could exercise candour >
and forbearance without constraint or reluctance; when he happened to diflbr in
opinimi from any of his brethren, even themselves could not but ac^owledge and
admire his moderation.
" His accomplishments, as a man of sense and learning, were very considerable.
SQs Judgment was cool, dsliberate and penetrating: his sen^ents were. well digested,
and his taste excellent. He had read not a fow of the best modem authors, and was
no stranger to ancient literature. He could think as well as read; and the knowledge
he coUeeted from bo<^ was well digested, and became his own. He had careAuqr
studied the Sacred Scriptures, and had a rational theory of the Ohristian system.
'' He had an easy, natural vein of wit, which rendered His conversatipii extremely
agreeable; he sometimes used it with great dexterity to expose the rake, the fop, the
lifildel, and other fools of the human spedes: it was sacred to the service of virtue^ or
iunooently volatile and livelv, to heighten the {deasures of conversation.
" He was a lover of mankmd, and delighted In every office of benevdenoe. Benevo-
lence appeared to be his predominant virtue, and gave a most amiable caA to his whole
tempev. and conduct.
'' That he might be able to support himself without oppressing a small eoiigregation,
he gave some pui of his time to the study and practice of physic. In. wt^ou he made
no meonsiderable figure. A Mend of the poor, he fpaied neithff ttm^ npirexpeiise to
fsUeve them.
08 FBSSBYTEBIAH.
" I never bad the happlneis to lisftr him in thenored dedL In prayer, I tm tore
he appeared hnmUei solemn, rational and importunate, as a creature,— a lumer in the
presence of God.
*' In the dArter of the College of New Jeraej, he wai nomfaiated one of the Tms-
tees; and hntibw, invested with the same trust, discharged it with so much leal, dOi-
genoe, and slacrity. His heart was set upon its prosperity ^ he esurted himself in this
•eryioe, nor did he fbrget it in his last moments.
** The Church has lost a Judicious minister, and, as we hope, a sincere Christian;
the world has lost an inoflbnsive, useftd member of society; tUs town ah agreeaUe.
peaceable, benerolent inhabitant; the College of New Jersey a flither; and I have lost
a friend.'^
AARON BURR *
1786—1767.
Aabon Bubb was a desoendant of the Ber. Jonathan Bnrr, who
migrated to New England in 1680, and was, for some time, pastor of the
church in Dorchester, Mass. He was the yonngest son of Daniel Bnrr, of
Upper Meadows, Furfield, Oonn., where he was bom on the 4th of January,
1715-16. His early developments indicated a mind of uncommon power
and yersatility. He was graduated at Tale College in 1786, haying been,
during his whole course, distinguished for his proficiency, in both the lan-
Siages and the sciences. He remained in College, a resident graduate on
e Berkeley foundation, for one year; and, during this period, his nund
underwent a revolution in respect to religion, of which the following account
^ras found| after his decease, among his private papers: —
" This year (1786) Gk>d saw fit to open my eyes, and show me what a miserable
creature I was. Till then I had spent my life in a dream; and as to the great design
of my being, had lived in vain. Though befom I had been under frequent coutw-
tions, and was drove to a form of religion, yet I knew nothing as I oncht to know.
But then I was broujdit to the fbotstool of sovereign grace; saw myself polluted by
nature and practice; nad aflbcting views of the Divine wrm I deserved; was made
to despair of help hi myself, and almost concluded that my day of grace was past.
These convictions held for some months; greater at some seasons than at others; but
I never revealed them to any, which I have much lamented siz^oe. It pleased Grod,
at length, to reveal his Son to me in the Gospel, an all-sufficient and wilUng Saviour,
and I hope inclined me to receive Him on the terms of the Gospel. I received some
consolation, and found a great change in myself. Befbre this, I was stron^y attached
to ' the Arminian scheme, but then was made to see those things in a diArent light,
ahd seendn^y ftlt the truth of the Cslvinian doctrines.''
This change b his religious views and feelings was quickly succeeded by
a determination to devote his life to the Christian mmistry. And, having
gone through the requisite preparation, he reoeived license to preach in
September, 1786. He preached his first sermon at Greenfield, Mass., and
then went to New Jersey and laboured a short time at Hanover. His
uncommon powers in the pulpit attracted no sknall attention, and tho
church at Newark, then in a somewhat depressed state, invited him to offi-
ciate as a stated supply for one year, commencing with Januaiy, 1786-87.
j^ the eviration of Uiat term, — January 26, 1787-88,— he was ordained and
installed pastor of the oh^roh, — Mr. Pierson preaching the Sermon, and
Jonathan Diokinson (^ving the Charge.
'^ Smltli'frSsnNB oooMlomd liy Us diath.^Llvfa^(rtoB>s Sukgr.— Holer's Brt.; n.— App.
to Onsn's DiM.--App. to Dwight^ lafe €f Bdwaids.— MiMfrtfAann Bar.HHM^
Hist Obureh fii Hswaik.
AABOK BUBB. %^
In Angosty 1789, aboat a year and a half after his.nuniatiy eqmmenoed,
a remarlokble reviyii of religion began in his oongregation, wbiph inereaced
gradnally from month to month, nntil it pervaded all ages and all olaaaea
Zt aoeiety. In the winter of 1840-41, was another similar season, in
respeot to whioh, says an eye witness, *' there is good reason to oondudo
that there were a greater number now brought home to Ohrist than in the
fonner graoious visitation."
In June, 1742, the Fbrst Ohuroh in New Haven — ^tn consequence, it is
sud, of some difficulties, which it was thought might best be terminated by
the settlement of a colleague, — presented a call to Mr. Burr to become
assoeiated with their pastor, the Bev. Mr. Noyes; and, in pursuance of
this call, a committee was appointed, with President Olap at its head, to
go to Newark, and lay the call before Mr. Burr, and prosecute it before
tiie Presbytery to which he belonged, with directions likewise ** to treat
with the good people of Newark, and obtain their consent to Mr. Bnrr*s
removal to New Haven." Of the result of this application nothing more
is known than that it was unsuccessful.
Mr. Burr entered warmly into the great revival that took place in the
early part of his ministry, and was in intimate relations with Whitefield,
the Tennents, and many of the principal promoters of the work, though he
was by no means insensible to the incidental evils by which it was marred.
In a letter to Dr. Bellamy, dated June 28, 1742, he says,—
'^ I have 80 manj thlngi lying on my mind, that I know not how to oommnnlcate
them with pen and Ink. I long to have yon alone a few honrs. that I mii^t unbosom
myself freely; but tis good to have no will of onr own. 'Tu giad tidingi of great;
Joy we hear from Sonthberry. Bnt some things that I have heard from there I dont
see through, whioh, in some measure, damps my Joy. The bearer has given me more
satisfection. Glory^be to Gk>d that he carries <m his work in any way; I do rejoioe
and will rejoioe. However, there are some things that persons are apt to mn into at
the present day, that wo ought not to enoonraae:^!. Their being led by impressions
and impulses made on their minds, with or without a text of Scripture, and taking
their own passions and imaginations for the operations of God's Spirit. 2. Giving
heed to visions, trances, and revelations. 8. Speaking of Divine things witii an air
of levity, vanitT, laughter, 8x. 4. Declaring their Jnd^ent about others openly and
freely in their absence, whether they are converted or not. 6. Making their own feel-
ings a rnle to Judge others by. 6. For laymen to take upon them to exhort in a pnb-
Ue assembly. 7. Separating from their minister under a notion of his being uncon-
verted."
The Bev. Jonathan Dickinson, first President of the Oollege. of New
Jersey, havbg died at BHsabethtown in the autumn of 1747, the students
whose education he had been conducting, were removed to Newark, and
placed under the care of Mr. Burr, who had previously been in the habit
of instructing in the classic languages, and had had under his direction a
large Latin School. Whether he was formally appointed President under
the first charter of the Oollege, is a matter of doubt ; but it seems he ha4
charge of the youth who had been collected as the beg^ning of a OoUq^,
for about a year before the charter was obtmned, under wUch they wer^
graduated. He was appointed President under the new charter on Uie Mk
of November, 1748; and, on the same day, conferred the Bachelor's degree
npon a class who were prepared to receive it. On that day also he deliv.
ered his Inaugural, which is spoken of in the record of the Ooipdration, as
" a handsome and elegant Latin Oration." Either the original manusoripti
or a copy in the handwriting of the author, is stall in eziitenoe.
Lot 1764, Whitefield, who was then paying a visit to. Governor Belcher,
pi Bliiabethtowny attended the Oommencement at Newark, on which ooosr.
70 PRESBTTERIAK.
•ion President Bur had the pleasure of conferring npon him the degree of
Master of Arts. Immediately after the Commencement, Mr. Burr accom-
panied Whitefield to Boston, having a high esteem for his character, and a
deep interest in the success of his labours.
Mr. Burr's dcTOtion to the College was most constant and exemplary.
He served it not only as the principal instructor and presiding officer, but
in soliciting donations for the purchase of a library and philosophical appa-
ratus, and for erecting a building for the accommodation of the students.
In this agency, which he undertook by request of the Trustees, he was
remarkably successful. He discharged the duties of both President of the
College, and Pastor of the Church, until the autumn of 1755, when his
pastoral relation was dissolved, and he gave his whole time to the service
of the College.
The village of Princeton having been fixed upon as the most convenient
situation for the College, the new edifice was erected there, under the
superintendence of Mr. Burr. In the Autumn of 1756, — the building
being so far completed as to be ready for the reception of the students, they
removed thither, about seventy in number, and commenced the occupancy
of it.
But Mr. Burr's life was now rapidly approaching its close. In the latter
part of July, or the beginning of August, 1757, he made a hasty visit to
Stockbridge, and, ou his return to Princeton, went immediately to Elisabeth-
town, where he made an attempt before the Legislature to procure the legal
exemption of the students from military duty. Thence he went to Newark,
and preached an extemporaneous Funeral Sermon. He then returned to
Princeton, and proceeded immediately to Philadelphia on the business of the
College, and on his way contracted an intermittent fever. On hb return,
he received the news of the death of his friend Governor Belcher, at
Elizabethtown, and was informed that he was designated to preach at his
funeral. Having devoted the afternoon of September 2d to preparation for
this service in the midst of a high fever, he rode the next day to Elizabeth-
town ; and, on the day succeeding that, in a state of extreme exhaustion,
preached the sermon. He returned to Princeton on the 5th, and his disease,
from that time, made constant progress, until the 24th, when it terminated
in death. His mind was entirely composed in the prospect of his departure,
and he died rejoicing in the consolations of the Gospel. A Eulogy was
pronounced upon him by Governor (William) Livingston, and a Funeral
Sermon was preached by the Kev. Caleb Smith, of Newark Mountains, by
appointment of the Trustees, and printed at their expense.
During the first fifteen years of his ministry, Mr. Burr remained unmar-
ried. On the 29th of June, 1752, he was united in marriage with Esther,
daughter of the Bev. Jonathan Edwards, — she being, at that time, only
nineteen years of age. She was distinguished for an attractive exterior, for
a richly endowed and highly cultivated mind, and for earnest and consistent
piety. It was a somewhat novel circumstance that, after the preliminaries
of the marriage had been settled, the bride was sent for with her mother to
come to Newark, and the wedding took place there, amidst the congratula-
tions of the people among whom she was to live. She survived her husband
less than a year, and died on the 7th of April, 1758, in the twenty-seventh
year of her age. They left two children — a daughter and a son — both bom
during their residence in Newark. The former was married to the Hon.
AABON BUSR. .71
Tapping Beeve, Ohief Jvfltioe of the Supreme Oonrt of Oonneetioat; aai^
the latter, bearing hia bther'a name, and inheriting hia talenta, and riaing
to great politioal distinetion, nevertheleaa had a history more aad and moni-
tory than almost any other man of the age.
Mr. Borr published a Latin Ghrammar; a pamphlet entitled *'The
Supreme Deity of our Lord Jeans Christ maintained in a Letter to the
dedicator of Mr. Bmlyn's Inquiry into the Scripture account of Jesus
Christ," — ^reprinted in Boston, 1701 ; a Fast Sermon on account of the
encroachments of the French, 1755 ; a Sermon preached before the Synod
of New York, 1756 ; and a Sermon on the death of Oovemor Belcher, 1757.
The character of President Burr is thus sketched in the Funeral Sermon
by the Bev. Mr. Smith : —
" It may not be improper here to take a more diatfaict Tlew of hia character as a
dlTlne, and his qaaliflcatioiiB as a preacher. He was certainly an adept in DiTinitj, a
scribe weU instructed unto the Kinigdom of HeaTen, who out of his plentiftil treasure
cotdd bring forth things new and old. In the Scnptnies of truth he waa thoronsiily
▼ersed; read them by tarns with the eye of a oriUc, to search oat their sense, and in a
derotional way, to obtab their salatanr inflaenoe on his own heart. The Oracles of
God were the standard of his DiTinity, his oltitnate Confession of Faith, the measure
of his practice, and the man of his counsel, in all the parts of his ministry. He was
greatly a master of systematical, casuistical and practical Divinity; understood polemi-
cal, but cared not mnch to wield the sword of religioos controTcrsy. His inclination
led him to a field which wore a milder ftoe, and where there is less danger of harting
that fkith which is oar own, and losing a good conscience oursdves, while we are
attempting to rectify the faith and mend the consciences of others.
" In the polpit, he Terily shone like a star of the first magnitade, and appeared a
wise master-boilaiBr in the honse of God. He dwelt upon things of the highest
moment, and cantloasly built, not with wood, hay and stabble, but with gold, silver
and predons stones. His public discourses were calcalated to convey Ught' to the
mbd, warmth to the affections, and health to the heart. His subjects, being well
chosen, were handled with Judgment and solidity; fbr he had, to an eminent degree,
a masterly skiU in dividing the word of truth, and gave with wisdom and fdthftilness
a portion to each in their season.
*' When leisure would permit, his sermons were usually penned at large ; yet if duty
called, and he was not otherwise proTided, he would cheerfhlly enter the pulpit without
his notes. And indeed so very extraordinary was his talent for extemporary preaching,
that the most competent Judges appoved his conduct, and heard him with pleasure
and profit. A rich Amd of Divine knowledge, command of his thoui^ts, surpassing
quidkness of invention, and remarkable readiness of expression, together with a heart
commonly warm in the cause of God, and engaged by desires of dohig good to the
souls of men, rendered him truly a master«pieoe m performances of this kmd.
" He never ascended the desk, but those who knew him had raised expeetations^
which were rarely, if ever, disappointed, and often exceeded. His gesture in the pul-
pit was easy and natural, and there was an air of mild gravity and genuine benicpiity
m his aspect, that tended greatlv to engage the fkvourable re^ud of his hearers. He
was btossed with an easy door of utterance, and his deUverance was graceftil ai^ har-
monious. • • • His diction was expressive, and his style neat and flowing; his
language was well suited to the language of a Christian orator. When he thonght
proper, and occasion required, it was either plain or polished: fbr he could speak freely
with such simplicity as a child mlfjtA understand, or with elegance that would please
the politest ear.
"In the gift of prayer he much excelled; for a spfait of prayer and supplicatiQU
seemed always to rest upon him ; ai^ there appeared such marks of unfbigned nncerity ,
suitable affection and fbrven<7, added to a rich yariety and exact pertinen<7 of expres-
sion, on all occasions, in his performance of this duty, that fbw, if any, were more fit
to lead in public acts of devotion, or be the mouth or others to God. It may also be
observed here that, in all the exercises of religion, both in public and in the funfly, he
carefUly avoided a tiresome prolixity, and was rather short and animated.
** If we now turn and survey the figure which this worthy man made in another neat
empk>yment,— I mean as President of this School of the Prophets, we shall find no
less cause to admire his charecter, revere his memory, and lament Ids death.
*' When he entered upon this station, though he had then a large stock of leanbg
of the scholastic kind, having been before, for a unmber of yean, a consUnt instmc-
ter of youth in the learned langusses and liberal arts ; nevertheless he applied himself
more closely to those branches of literature, which he Jud»d a man ought to be accu-
rately acquainted with, in order to discharge the trust fkitl|fli]ly,or appear with repu-
72 FBBSBTTEBIAN.
tatlon and a reqoiiite dignity as a head teacher In meh a pahUo iohool. He alao
viewed it, not as a part of eaae, bat of weii^ty bnsineas,and aooordingly filled it with
appHoation and nnwearied indagtiy, mnch to the benefit of the etadenta, latiaflMytion
or the Tmstees, credit of the CollegBi and his own honour.
** The abondant store of nsefdl knowledge with wlilch he had been careAiUy enrich-
ing himself from his youth up, and to which he was continnaUy making large addi-
tions, was here improved to the most Tslnable purpose. His mind was well replenished
with ideas) and these he bad an inimitable flunilty of oommunlcatlflg with deamess
and ease. His aptness to teach was almost without parallel. He iMwured exceed-
ingly that the youth committed to his tuition and care might be sent abroad with such
A foundation of knowledge, as might be honorarr to the place of their education, and fit
them ftir fhture service In Church or State ; and it waa a real grief to him, when these
his painftil endeavours failed of their desired success, which it can hardly be supposed
bui^they too often did.
" As the piety of President Burr was as eonqpicuous as his erudition, lie took inde-
firtlgable pains to cultivate t^e hearts of his papila as well as their heads; and equally
concerned himself to dismiss them as good Christians and good scholars. They who
have had the happiness of being educated under his inspection, can bear witness with
what seal, solicitude, and parental alTection he has often pressed upon them the care
of their souls, and in the most moving manner, even with melting tenderness, urged
the importance of their becoming true disciples of a holy Jesus. A gracious God was
meroifblly pleased, as we trust, to grant success, hi some instances, to these pious
attempts; for he had good hope concerning a number that they were really initiated
into the school of Christ. The winter season of the last year of his life was his most Jov-
fhl harvest, when a very remarkable Divine influence appeared among the students in
this house; the good mpressicns that were then made, we have grounds to believe,
are yet abiding with many.
"In matters of government in the College, he discovered great wisdom and sagacity.
In Judgment and natural temper he was Inclined to soft and moderate measures; but.
where these failed of their desired eiBoa<»r{ he gave way to a reouisite severity. * *
As to his manner of presiding at the public Commencements, t imagine none who
were fit Judges, but will readily acknowledge that. In moderating the disputes and all
the other exercises, which, on those days, belonged to his oflSce, he acquitted himself
with high honour and deserved applause. • • • • •• •»•
'' In ecclesiastical Judicatures and councils, his assistance was often desired, and
his Judgment deservedly esteemed. He was cool and dispassionate in all debates, and
ing persuasions ss fbw were able to resist.
''He was a great friend to Uberty, both civH and religious, and generously espoused
this noble cause on every suitable occasion. As he abhorred ^rraI^ly In the State, so
he detested persecution in the Church, and all those anti-christian methods which have
been used by most previdling parties, somehow or other, to enslave the consciences of
their dissenting brethren. He wss very far from indulging a party ipirit, and hated
bigotry in all its odious shapes. His arms were open to a good man of any denomina-
tion, however he might in prlnclide diflbr or In practice dlsucree, as to what he himself,
in the lesser matters of religion. Judged to be preferable. He was no man for conten-
tion, and at a wide remove ftt>m a wrangling disputant; these bitter Ingredients came
not into the composition of his amiable character. HIi moderation was Well known to
all men that knew any thing of him. A sweetness of temper, obliging courtesy, and
mildness of behaviour, added to an engaging candour of senUment, spread a glonr over
his reputation, endeared hie person to all bis acquaintance, recomm^ed his ministry
aikl'iniole profbssion to mankind in general, and greatly contributed to his extensive
ueeftdnes.''
VEAXOIS ALISOH 73
FRANCIS ALISON, D. D *
1736—1779.
Francis Alibon was bom in the pariah of Lao, Oounty of Donegal, Ire-
land, in the year 1706. He reoeived an ezoellent olaariml ednoation at an
Aoademy in the North of that kingdom, nnder the partionlar inspeotion of the
Bishop of Baphoe, and was afterwards, for aome time, a student of the TTniyer^
sity of Glasgow. He oame to America in 1785, and was, for a while, engaged
as tntor in the &mily of the father of John Dickinson, Gh>Yemor of Deb-
wmre, who plaoed his son under his care, and allowed him to reoeive a few
other pnpils. The exact date of his licensure cannot be ascertained ; but
he is spoken of as a licentiate, in the Records of the Synod of June 18,
1786. Between this date and the 26th of Hay, 1787, he was ordained by
the Newcastle Presbytery, and installed pastor of the New London Congre-
gation, in Ohester Oonnty, Pa., where he continned fifteen years.
hk tiie year 1748, he opened an Academy at New London, with a Tiew
to the general improToment of the community in which he lived, which was,
at that time, exceedingly destitute of the means of intellectual culture ; but
it was rendered, by some concurring influences, a powerful auxiliary to the
cause of theologicid education. About this time, the Synod of Philadelphia
began to take measures for establishing a school on a permanent fbundation,
with special reference to training young men for the ministry. It appears
from their Becords that, as early as 1789, an overture for erecting a Seminary
of learning was unanimously approved, and a committee appointed to visit
Ghreat Britain with a view to '' prosecute this affair." The breaking out of
a war between England and Spain occasioned the postponement of the
matter for a time; but, in 1748, it was revived by the Presbyteries of
Philadelphia, Newcastle, and Donegal, acting conjointly by a committee
which met at the Great Yalley in Chester County, by whom it was again
referred to the Synod. The next year, (1744,) the sdiool was establidied
by the Synod, on the following plan: 1. That all persons who please, may
send their children and have them instructed graiUi in the languages, phi-
losophy, and divinity. 2. That the school be supported for the present by
yearly contributions from the congregations under their care. 8. That if
any funds remain, after paying the salaries of the Master and Tutor, they
shall be expended in the purchase of books and other necessaries for the
sohooL Mr. Alison was appointed Principal ; and thus the new school
was engrafted upon the grammar school, which he had established three
years before. It became a justly celebrated institution ; and served not only
to aid in furnishing the Church with well qualified ministers, but the State
with able civilians. Amongst those who were either wholly or partially
educated here, were Charles Thompson, Secretary of the First Congress ;
Bev. Dr. John Bwing, Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr.
Bamsey, the Historian ; Dr. Hugh Williamson, one of the framers of the
Constitution of the TTnitedStates, and Historian of North Carolina; Bev. Dr.
Dirt. ^
7oL m. 10
74 FBBSBTCBBIAK.
James Latta, emment aa a divine and a teaober; and Thomas MeEIean,
George Bead, and James Smith, signers of the Deolaration of Independenoe.
In 1749, Mr. Alison was inyited to beoome a teacher in the Philadelphia
Academy. He was disposed to accept the inyitation, and applied that year
to the Synod for leave to join the Presbytery of Philadelphia. His request,
however, was not granted ; but, in place of it, some improvement was made
in his situation as Principal of the Synod's school! We hear no more of
tUs until May, 1752, when it seems that he had actually left his congrega-
tion, and removed to Philadelphia, without a dismission from the Presbytery.
The matter being brought before the Synod by the Presbytery, the Synod,
whilst declaring his conduct in the case anti^presbyierian, and "contrary to
their known approved methods in such cases," yet regard it '* in a great
measure excusable," on account of the pressing circumstances in which he
was plao^, and its bebg almost impracticable for him to apply for Hhe
consent either of the Presbytery or the Synod in the usual way.
On his removal to Philadelphia, he took charge of the Academy ; and
when, in 1766, a OoUege was added, he was appointed Vice Provost and
Professor of Moral Philosophy. He was also assistant minister of the First
Presbyterian Church. He discharged his duties, both as a preacher and a
teacher, with acknowledged fidelity and success. The degree of Master of
Arts was conferred upon him by Yale College in 1755, and by the College
of New Jersey in 1756; and the degree of Doctor of Divinity, by the Uni-
versity of Glasgow in 1758. So highly was this latter honour then appre-
ciated, that the Synod to which Mr. Alison belonged, made a formal
acknowledgment of it to the University.
In the year 1755, Dr. Alison made a journey into New England, where
he received great attention, and made many valuable acquaintances. He
passed some time at Newport with the Bev. Dr. Stiles, in whom he found
a kindred spirit, in respect to literary and scientific pursuits. In reference
to these, Dr. Alison writes to him : — " I am highly pleased that you con-
tinue so unwearied in the pursuit of knowledge. I pray God that he may
long spare you a blessmg to his Church, and a useful instrument to promote
knowledge and leammg." He then proceeds to mention his own unsuo-
oessful attempts to discover the comet expected about that time, and the
injury which he hence derived to his health, which brought him to a resolu-
tion that effectually destroyed his star-gaiing; and adds, — "As I hope,
with more certainty and less trouble, to acquire this kind of knowledge in
the next stage of my existence, if it be necessary, I have determmed to give
myself no further trouble, till I be allowed to converse with Newton, Halley,
Whiston, and Flamstead, and some others of the same complexion, if these
names be allowed to shine in one great constellation in Heaven. Yet I am
far from blambg you for your careful and accurate researches ; they may
make you more useful here, and form your taste to examine the works (rf
Gh>d with a higher satisfiustion in the coming world."
Dr. Alison Uved during a period of great agitation in the Presbyterian
Church ; and, possessing a naturally active mind, and ardent temperament,
it was not to be expected that he would be a mere spectator of the passing
scenes. His influence was deeply felt in both the Presbytery and the
Synod ; and whatever he undertook, became with him, for the time, all-
engrossing. About the period of his settlement at New London, the con-
troversy between the '* Old Side" and the " New Side" was raging in all
VRAKGIS ALISOK. ^^
i«B Tioknoe. ESa views and sympitihies were all with the "Old Side/^
He oomplained to the Donegal Presbytery of the Bey. Alexander Creag-
head,* for intruding into his congregation, ** to rend and divide it against
his mind, the mind of the session, and the declared opinion of the congre-
gation in general." The Presbytery having suspended Mr. Oreaghead, and
he refnsing to submit, Dr. Alison carried the complaint up to the Synod, in
1741 ; and, when a hearing of the case was resisted there, on merely tech-
nical grounds, and thus '* the last effort at accommodation failed," the
fitmous '* Protextatwnt^ was produced, signed by twelve ministers, one of
whom was Dr. Alison, — and seven elders. This was immediately followed
by what was called the *« Great SoUsm" — ^fche Church was rent into two
parts, and remained thus divided for seventeen years.
In 1765, the people of New London, who had remained vacant from the
time that he left ^em, sent him a call to come and resume his labours
among them ; but, after due consideration, he declined it.
Dr. Alison died on the 28th of November, 1779, in the seventy-fourth
year of his age. A sermon was preached on the occasion of his death, by
the Rev. Dr. Ewing, with whom he had been associated in the ministry, an
extract from which was, many years after, published in the General Aasem-
bly's Magaiine.
Dr. Alison was married to a lady whose maiden name was Armitage.
They had six children, — ^four sons and two daughters. Two of his sons
died in boyhood; a third died m his twenty-eighth year; and the rest sur-
vived their father. One of the sons was a physician. Though he left his
family in indigent circumstances, he made provision in his will for giving
his slaves their liberty.
Dr. Alison's only publication is a Sermon delivered before the Synods of
New York and Philadelphia, May 24, 1758, entitled, << Peace and union
recommended." It contains a note, suggesting that ''as, in the perusal, it
may to many seem long, they may conveniently divide it by pausing on the
twenty-eightib page."
There are various testimonies remaining, to Dr. Alison's high character,
as a man, a Christian, a scholar, and a preacher. Bishop White, who was
• ALBziasaB Cbbashsab ii snppoied to htnf been bom In tbli oonntiy. He wm Uoeneed
to pieeeh by the Donegia Presbyteiy oo the 8th of Oetober, 1784, fad wm ordained and ioitalled
ndnlrter of Middle Oelorora, on the 18th of Norember, 1736. He entered irarmlj into the
Whitefteldian reTind, and being natnrally ardent and impetnoni, fell into lome irrecidaritlet
whieh, in 1740, beoame the inMeot of Preebjterlal inrestigation. In 1741, the oaee waa oanried
up to the Synod, where it wae debated with great eameitnces. It wa«, howerer. lost dght of
Ij the action ooneeqnent npon the fkmoQi protett brought in by the Bev. fiobert (hiMi, by
meaai of wMeh the oonflieUng partlei in the Synod were leparated . Mr. Oreaghead withdrew
of either]
Bynod of New Tork a« an absentee.
with the Oameronians. About 1749, he rsmoTod to Yirslnia, and took np hit residence fai the
Ooonty of Angnsta, on the Oow Pasture Rirer, within the boonds of the present Windy Goto
Ckngregatlon. On the defeat of Braddock in 1766, his congregation was in a great measure
dispersed s and, erassing the Bine Bidge, he found a more quiet resting place In what is now
Mecklenburg County, N. 0. In April, 1768, a eall was presented to Um firam Becky Birer,
which he acoepted, and his installation took place in September following. Here he pasNd the
rsst of his days in the arduous duties of a fttmtler minister of the Qospd, and died In Manh,
1766, then the only minister between the TadUn and the Oatawba. During his residence in
Penn^lTaaia, he was chaiged with being the author of an anonymous politicarpamphlel, whieh
was so offensiTe to the Government that, lb 1743, one of the Justices for the County of Laaeaster,
in the name of the OoTcmor, laid itbefore the9yi>od of Philaddphia. But the Synod dis-
owned both the namphlet and the supposed author, agreeing with the Justioe that it was of a
disloyal and rebellions tcndeuflgr.
i the New Brunswiek Presby teiy ; and we do not And his name in connection with the Synod
dther New Tork or Philadelphia until the year 1768, when he appears upon the roU of the
od of New Tork as an absentee. He was, for a time,— between 1746 and 1768, assoeiated
76 CBESBTTBBIAN.
% Btudent in th« OoU^ of Philaddpliia, while he wag a Profe806r in it,
BajB of him in hie Hemoixe, —
" Dr. AUion wm a man of onqneitioiiable ability In hit department, of real and
rational pietv, of a liberal mind;— his fUling was a pieneneas to anger; bat it was
fbrgotteni-— for he wss placable and aflkble.''
President Stilea aaya of him — '*He is the greatest dassieal soholar in
Amerioa, espeoially in Oreek — not great in Mathematios, Philosophy, and
Astronomy, but in Ethics, History, and general reading, is a great literary
oharaoter. I haye had a long and intimate acquaintance with him."
The following is an extract from the Funenl Sermon by Dr. Bwing : —
" All who knew him adinowledge that he was franki open and higennons in his nat-
nrid temper; warm and lealons in his Ariendships; catholic and enlarged in his senti-
ments; a friend to cIyU and religious liberty: abhorring the intolerant spirit of perse-
cation, bigotry, and superstition, together with all the arts of dishonesty and deceit.
His humanity and compassion led him to spare no pains nor trouble in reliering and
assisting the noor and distressed by his aayice and influence, or by bis own prirate
liberslity ; and he hss left behind him a lasting testimony of the eztensiye benevolenoe
of his heart in planning, erecting and nursing, with constant attention and tenderness,
the charitable scheme of the widows fund, by which many helpless orphans and des-
titate widows haye been seasonably relieved and supported; and wOl, we trust, con-
tinue to be relieved and supported, so long as the Synod of New York and Philadel-
phia shsU exist.
** Blessed with a dear understanding and an extensive liberal education j thirsting
for knowledge, and inde&tiaable in study, through the whole of his useful lift, he
acquired an unususl fund of Teaming and knowiedae, which rendered his conversation
remarkably instruotive, and abundantly qualffled htm for the sacred work of the min-
istry, and the painfhl instruction of youth in the College. He was trulv a scribe w^
instructed into the Kingdom of Heaven, a workman tljat needed not to be ashamed, —
for he rightly divided tlie word of truth, and was peculiarly skilM in giving to everv
one his portion in due season. In his public exhibitions he was warm, animateo,
plain, practical, arcumentative and pathetic; and he has left a testimony in the con-
sciences of thousands who attended upon his ministry, that he was willing to spend and
be spent to promote their salvation, and that he fkOed not to declare to them the
whole counsel of Gk>d, while he endeavoured to save hbnself and those that heard him.
And we have reason to hope that the bountifiil Bedeemer, whom he served in his
q>irit, has greatly honoured him by making him instrumental in the salvation of
many, who shall be the crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord.
"He is now discharged fh>m the labours of mortality, and is gone, we trust, to
receive the approbation of that compassionate Bedeemer whom he so fUtmUly served.
For he often expressed his hopes in 4he mercy of God unto eternal life, and told me,
but a fyw days ago, ' that he had no doubt but that, according to the tenor of the GkM-
pel covenant, he would obtain the pardon of his sins through the great Bedeemer of
mankind, and ei\)oy an eternity of rest and glory in the presence ofGod.' It was this
comfortaok) project that anhnated him to uncommon fidelity and industry in all the
datles of lift, and enabled him to bear the Ungering dissolution of his body with
patience and resignation, until he fbll asleep fai Jesus."
-)OHN XLDXB. tf
JOHN ELDER *
1786—1792.
John Eldib ww born in the County of Antrim, Ireland, in the yeur
1706. Hifl fitther, Bobort Blder, migrated to America about tbe year
1780, and settled a few miles Nortb of what is now Harrisburg, Pa. He
brought all his family with him, except his son JoAn, the eldest of his child-
ren, who was left with his uncle, the Bev. John Elder of Edinburgh, to
complete his studies for the ministry. He (the son) was licensed to preach
in the year 1782 ; and, some time after, (probably in 1786,) agreeably to
preyious arrangements, followed his father and family to America. In
August, 1787, the churches in Pennsboro* and Paxton, Pa. applied to the
Newcastle Presbytery for a candidate, and Mr. Elder was sent in answer to
the request. On the 12th of April, 1788, the people of Paxton. and Derry
inyited him to become their pastor ; and, about the same time, he was called
to one or two other places. He accepted the call from Paxton and Derry,
and was ordained and installed on the 22d of NoYcmber following.
About two years after his settlement, he was charged with teaching doo-
trines at yariance with the standards of the Ohuroh ; and, though the charge
was groundless, it occasioned great agitation, and, in consequence of it, Us
congregation was divided. Mr. Elder seems to hare continued with the
part of his congregation who adhered to the " Old Side ; *' and, on the death
of the Bey. John Boan, the congregation of Derry united with that of
Paxton in receiying him as their minister.
As Mr. Elder resided on the frontier of the Proyince, the members of his
congregation were generally trained as ** Bangers " in defence against the
Indians. Many a family mourned for its head, shot down by a concealed
foe, or carried away captiye. The men were accustomed to carry their riflea
with them, not only to their work in the field, but to their worship in the
sanctuary ; and their worthy minister kept his beside him in the pulpit. It
was no uncommon occurrence for death to oyertake them, as they returned
from the public sendees of the Sabbath to their scattered plantations. In
1766, the meeting house was surrounded with Indians, while Mr. Elder was
preaching ; but the spies haying noticed the large number of rifles that the
hearers had brought for their defence, the party silently withdrew from
their ambush, without making an attack. In 1767, an attack was actually
made, as the people were leaying the church, and two or three were killed.
During the summer, they had some security by means of the yisits of
friendly Indiana; but, at other seasons of tke year, murders frequently
ooouned, and they found it impossible to JUscoyer the criminals* Mr. Elder
himself superintended the military dismpUne of his people, and became
Oaptain of the mounted men, widely known as the *' Pextony boys." He
afterwards held a Colonel's commission in the proyincial seryice, and had
the <^mmand of the block- houses and stockades from the Susquehaniia to
Easton. His apology tot this extraordinary course lies in Uie extraor*
dinary state of thingp which led to it. It is not easy to oyer-estimate the
• MB. from jr. WaniM^ Xm.— W«1«tae» M8S.— ])iir>i ^BklL OeB. Flk-ColonU BmoiM
78 PBSSBTTEBIAir.
mupeiiBe and terror in which the inhabitants of that firontier region lived
from 1764 to 1768. Elder besought the Governor to remove the Gonest<^
Indians, because they harboured murderers; and he engaged, if this were
done, to secure the frontier without expense to the Province. This being
refused, a party of his Bangers determined to destroy the tribe; and they
called on Elder to take the lead in the enterprise. He was then in his fifty-
seventh year. Mounting his horse, he commanded them to desist, and
reminded them that the execution of their purpose would inevitably involve
the destruction of the innocent with the guilty ; but their prompt reply
wasr-*'' Oan they be innoceot who harbour murderers ? " — at the same time,
pointing indignantly to instances in which their wives and mothers had been
massacred, and the criminals traced to the homes of the Gonestogas. He
still earnestly opposed the measure, and at last placed himself in the road,
that they might see that they could advance only by cutting him down.
When he saw that they were preparing to kill his horse, and that all his
entreaties were entirely unavulmg, he withdrew and left them to take their
own course. The persons engaged in this desperate enterprise, were chiefly
Presbyterians, who resided in ^at neighbourhood, and not a few of them
were men far advanced in life. They performed their work thoroughly and
mercilessly, destroying in Lancaster and Gonestoga every Indian they could
find. On the 27th of January, 1764, Elder wrote to Governor Penn, as
follows: —
" The storm wUch had been so long gathering, hai, at length, exploded. Had
Government removed the Indiana, which had been mqneutly , but wlthoat effect, orged.
thlfl painfhl catastrophe might have been avoided. What could I do with men hei^
to madnesst All that I could do was done. I expostulated; bat life and reason were
set at defiance. Yet the men in private life are virtnous and respectaUe; not cruel,
but mild and merdftil. The time will arrive when each palliating droomstance will
be weighed. This deed, magnified Into the blackest of crimes, shall be considered as
one of those ebullitions of wrath, caused by momentary excitement, to which human
Infinnity is sutjeeted.''
The Indians were at length removed, by the Gh>vemor, firom every
exposed place, to Philadelphia; and many apprehended that the ''Peztony
boys," in the overflowing of their wrath, would pursue them thither. The
Gh>vem6r issued a proclamation, setting a reward on the head of one
Stewart, supposed to be the ringleader, and some of his associates. Elder
wrote to the Governor in their defence, stating the true characters of the
men, and the palliating, if not justifying, circumstances under which they
acted. Sevend pamphlets were published, commenting on the case with
great severity, and some of them representing the Irish Presbyterians as
Ignorant bigots or lawless marauders. But, amidst all the violent attacks
and retorts. Elder is never stigmatised as abetting or conniving at the-mas*
saore ; nor is- his' authority plwded by the actors in their defence;
The union of the Synods brought Mr. Elder and the other members of
Donegal Presbytery into the same body with the leading memben of the
*«New Side" Presbytwy of Newcastle. For a while, they maintained,
ostensibly, union of action ; but, at length, tho " Old Side " men withdrew
firom the Synod, on a^ooount of dissatisfaction in respect to certain cases of
discipline, and formed themselves into a sepanrte Presbytery.* They, how-
ever, finally returned, and were scattered, with their own -consent^, inDonei*
gal« Newcasde; and Second Philadelphia, Presbyteries.
Mr. Elder joined the Second Presbytwy of Philadelphia, Hay 19, 1768.
In the formation of the Geheral Assembly, he became a member of the
JOHH ILDBB. 79
Pmbjteiy of Oarliale. He died in the year 1792, ai theageof eighty-dz;
lumngbeen a ndniater of the Goepel aizty yean, and the mihiater of the
eoBgregationa in Pazton and Deny, fifty-aiz.
Mr. Elder was married, about the year 1740, to Mary, daughter of
Joahoft Baker, who was armonrer under King G^rge the Seoond; and, by
this marriage, he had four ohildren, — two eons and two danghtera. After
her death, he was married to Mary, daughter of Thomas Simpson, and sister
of Gknenil Midhael Simpson of Bevolutionary memory, who was a CSaptatn
under Qeneral Montgomery at Quebeo. By his seoond nkarriage he had
eleven ohildren. The last of the whole number (fifteen) died in April,
1868, at Hfmrisbuig, in his eighty-seyenth year.
FBOM THE BEY. W. R. DEWITT, D. D.
Hauibbubo, Pa., March 17, 1864.
Dear Sir: The Ber. John Elder, conoeming whom yon mqoire, died tweoty-
rix years before my settlement orer my present ehazge. On my first coming
to Harrisburg, there were sereral persons residing here, who recollected him
well, having sat under his ministry and been members of his church. They all
spoke of him with great respect, and to some his memory was dear.
From what I could leam of him, I should Judge that he was a man of that
dedded and resolute character which still distinguishes the Scotch Irish of
Pennsylvania and Ohio,— a man of robust constitution, of great courage and
indomitable strength of purpose — something of an Andrew Jackson man, as to
the prominent characteristics of his mind. The people with whom he was iden-
tified, beloqged to the same race of sturdy, sterling men, whose native energies
were nurtured by the dangers, toils and sufferings incident to the first settle-
ment of our country. The history of his connection with scenes of Indian war-
five would well illustrate the iron qualities Ibr which he was distinguished,
while, at the same time, it would show that he neither encouraged nor Justified
a vin^ctive spirit.
Mr. Elder's congregation embraced a large district of country of which the
old Paxton Ohurch was the centre. In good weather, and especially on Oommu-
nion occasions, the house was too small to oontain the people that assembled lor
worship. But extensive as was his pastoral charge, he was exceedingly Jealous
of any interference on the part of his ministerial brethren, and resisted to the
last e?ery attempt to establish other congregations within the field he regarded
as his own. On one occasion I have heard it said that a Rev. Mr. Hogg*, (now
Hoge,) who then lived on the outskirts of his congregation, preached for a time
•wi^San. the bounds of his parish. At the next meeting of Presbytery, Mr. Elder
indignantly complained that ** a hog had been rooting in his fields." It was
some time after Harrisburg was incorporated, before Mr. Elder would allow
any preaching here. The Presbytery sent several commissions to endeavour to
seMe the conflicts that arose out of the effort to establish a churdi in Harrisburg,
between Mr. Elder and his people. Mr. E. never yielded, until he thought Ids
authority was vindicated, and his pastoral rights admitted. In the controversy
that dirided the Presbyterian Ohurch at that time, he was a strong Old Side
man, distinguished more for orthodox theology, than for any strong, demonstra-
tion of religious feeling. He looked with litUe induIgcAce on the New Lights,
• Jonv Soa«wMaicmofWniiemHbs8» whonfetiiereinigfatedfiromSMilMid^eadi^^
" ' kNiMHe«uHtfllirm9,MidwMll08nndio.Bf«palibj
fti^inAmbqr.H.J. HewMgi^iiaNiMHe«uHtfllnl7!9, MidwMll08nndio.i
I nmoTwl to tlM ndli^boeriiood of
, In Vxodoitok OdoBtjft BolheeBb-
I inimonboii of the HealiiiglQB Pmi
Ho diod at a wy MTaaood ago.
80 PBESBTTERIAN/
and had little sympathy with any of their extraordinary moyementa for the
promotion of the Gospel.
A gentleman of this place, a remote relative of Mr. Elder's, to ivliom I haTO
applied for information concerning him, writes thus: — " As to Mr. £'s personal
appearance and habits, I would not venture any thing from my own knowledge;
for though I may have seen him frequently, I was too young (only six years old)
when he died, to retain any distinct recollection of him. But as my grandfather
and he were full brothers, I have heard many of the relatives and friends speak
of his personal appearance and manners, and they uniformly represented him as
a large, fine looking man, above six feet high, well formed and proportioned,
dignified in manner, a fine specimen of an educated gentleman, beloved and res-
pected by the people of his congregation, and having great infiuonce for good
among them.''
I am sorry that I cannot give you filler and more detailed information of Mr.
Elder, as he must have acted an important part, both as a citizen and a minister,
in the first settlement of this portion of Pennsylvania. Should, however, the
above answer your purpose, to any extent, I shall be gratified.
With much respect, yours sincerely,
WILLIAM B. DEWITT.
JAMES DAVENPORT *
1788—1757.
Jamxb Dayxnpobt was a great grandson of the Bev. John Davenport,
who was the first minister of New Haven, and was afterwards settleid in
Boston, where he died in 1670. He was a son of the Bev. John Daven-
port of Stamford, Conn., who was graduated at Harvard GoUege in 1687,
was ordained pastor of the church in Stamford in 1694; and died February
6, 1781, aged sixty-one. He (the father) was an eminently fiiithful and
useful minister, and was so funiliar with the original languages of tho
Scriptures, that he was accustomed to read them in the family in place of
the English translation.
James Davenport was bom in Stamford in the year 1710, and was grad-
uated at Yale College in 1782. From letters addressed to his brother-in-
law, the Bev. (afterwards Dr.) Stephen Williams of Longmeadow, — which
are still extant, it appears that he was very seriously inclined, and probably
a professor of religion, during his college life. He continued to reside at
New Haven for two or three years after his graduation, and, during this
time, it is supposed that he prosecuted his theological studies under the
direction of Beotor Williams. He was, at this period, the subject of some
very troublesome, if not dangerous, disease: and, after having made trial
of the skill of Dr. Hubbard of New Haven, without receiving any material
benefit, he went to Eillingworth, and spent some time in the family of Dr.
Jared Eliot, distinguished alike as a physician and a clergyman, — that he
might have the benefit of his medical attentions. Under Dr. Eliot's treat-
ment, he very soon began to amend, and after two or three months, we find
• Mfiltr*! Ufa of PrMldnit Sdwaicb.— Prlma'i Hist., L. I.— Webit«r'i M88.— Yarion
panpUals aoniMotadwith tha Bavlval of 1740.— Tim^*a Great Awakanlng.— Avtogmphlattan
fflfrrpavaBport to Bav. Btapban Williaai.
JAICKS DAYXHPORT. gX
bim agim jmnning )aB Btadiee aft New HaTen, and, for aof^t tliat appaan,
in Ilia nsoal health. He aeema to hare taken a Tory Beriona ¥iew of tiM
dispenaation, and to have been deeply solioitooa that it might tnrn to bia
apiritoal benefit.
His lettera at ibia period ahow that be waa the anbjeot of great apiritoal
eonflioto, and waa intent npon making high attainmenta in religion. Some
of them show alao, that be waa far from baying any aympathy with that
eztrayagant spirit, — of whiob be afterwarda gave ao huniliating an example.
In a letter dated Tale College, Jannary 27, 1784, be writes thns— *«I find
need of eontinnal supplies of grace and strength from abore, that I may
maintain a dose walk with Ood; Dirine wuMiom and pmdenoe to behave
aright to and before others, so aa to giro no offenoe, — so as to do no bnrt
to leli^on, or to my own soul. Oh, Sir, a great thing I find it to be wise
aa a aerpent, and harmless aa adore. I would repeatedly aak your prayers
for me on ibia aooount. I am yery aorry to hear what you write conoem-
ing Mr. R , fearing it may be no small damage to religion. I abould
be sorry if, upon examination, you should find that there waa real ground
to fear, aa you mentiou in your letter, with respect to Sir Pomeroy. Sir
Wbeeloek, I hope, and am very well satisfied, thinks right in these matters,
and baa no wUd notions, and I should be glad to bear that Sir Pomeroy
baa not"
It is not known where, or by what body, Mr. Davenport waa licensed to
preach ; but, aa be pursiMd his theological studies at Yale, and aa his &ther
waa a prominent dergyman in Oonuecdcut, there is little doubt that it waa
by an Association in his native State. In the spring of 1788, he waa
applied to, to preach at Maidenhead and Hopewell, (Lawrence and Penning-
ton,) H. J., and the Pbiladelpbia Presbytery wrote to bun in behalf of
thoee eongregptiona; but he reoeived a cJl from Southold, L. I., about the
same time, to which he gave the preference. Southold waa the oldest town
on the Island, and bad been left vacant, in 1786, by ibe removal of the
Bev. Benjanun Woolsey.* His ordination took place on the 26th of Octo-
ber, 1788. Among the ministers compoaing the council was his brother-
in-law, the Bev. Stephen Williams of Longmeadow.
Mr. Davenport's settlement was just at tiie time when the indicationa of
what has been called the *' Great Awakening,'* were beginnug to appear in
different parts of the Gburcb. It waa the custom of those who deplored
tbe prevailing religious indifference, to draw the line with great diatinct-
nesB between the oouTcrted and unconverted, and to express to individuala
personally the judgment they had formed of their spiritual condition.
DaTenport, who seems to have been of an excitable temperament, and to
have hailed the earliest signs of the new state of things with intense inter-
• Bbvjaxdi Wooubt wm a cnadioB of Ctooige Wooliqr, wbo MBigimted fttm Taimonlh,
Snftaiid, to AmcriM, bttwMn 1080 tnd 1640; and wm » fon of Captain Ooom Woolo^. who
WM bom In How Tork, Oelobor 10, 106S, and died ot I>ooorif, L. I., Jumoij 19, 17ilHll, In
hlf nlnotlotli yoar. Ho wm bom si Jonioloo, L. I., KoTombor 19, 1687i woi cmdntod at
Yolo OoQogo In 1709 1 and wm oidolnod oa tho tUid nootor of SonUiold, L. I., bj aa oooUol-
oillool ooonoQ, In Jiuy. 17)0. In 1786, bo noifliod bla obai^go, and lomorod to Dooorik in
QoooMCoimty, whoioMbadaloifotnoioflaiidfWbkhoomotohlmtliioii^ Hon
ho iponi tho romaindor of hii life, pnaobing, oo opportonl^ offnod. In tho imoiindliw ooan*
ti7. HodlodontholHhofAiigiifl,m9,lnthoooTonty.iooood7oarof hkogo. ^hadlif»
fOBf,— JfolMcf Jkoa Tailor, who wm a Coloaol In Aboiorombio*a ospodllioB, and diod dol^a
tho ozpodltlon, hil768| and BM^fam^ whowM giadaatod at YaloOoUogo hil74«»lod a
cralotoonatnrlllb, aaddlodhil771. Tho 1aU«r wm tho gnndibthor of tho Rot. Dr. Wool-
«^,PnildoBtofTaloOoao|o.
TOL. m. 11
32 PBESBTTEBIAjr.
e0t« pno&ed ike Beveresi Bonitiny is r^gaid to the MBgioiu obanotar of
the memben of Xv** ohiiroh. He went so far as to pronoimoe upon them,
fthnost with the oonfidence of OmniaoieDoe, -^-oalling those, of whom he
formed a &yoarable judgment, brethren^ and the rest, ntighbcursi—9k% the
same time, by a strange inoonsistenoj, having as little interooorse with the
latter class as possible. He snbseqnentlj went so ikr as to forbid the
•< neighbours " to oome to the Lord's table, — a measure whioh of course was .
followed by excitement, distress, and exasperation.
There was no one who sympathised more folly in the state of mind into
which Mr. Davenport was now brought, than the Rev. Jonathan Barber,*
who was at that time officiating in the neighbouring parish of Oyster Ponds,
(now Orient) Air. Barber visited Sou^old in March, 1740, on which
occasion a meeting was held there for twenty-four hours, aooompanied by
demonstrations of — ^to say the least — a very doubtfol oharaeter, and fore*
shadowbg the yet more extravagant movements that were to follow.
Davenport and Barber went together to East Hampton, and the effect of
their labours there was a prodigious excitement^— of whioh Dr. Davis, late
President of Hamilton College, and a native of that town, says — '*Many
untoward and ever to be lamented circumstances occurred; yet lasting
good was done amid a great shaking and commotion." Shortly after this,
Davenport went to Philadelphia, where he was present at a meeting of
Synod, and about the same time became acquainted with Whitefield, who
speaks of him as '* one of the ministers whom God has lately sent out, — a
sweet, pious soul." Here he seems to have been not a little strengthened
and encouraged in the course on which he had entered, by the bold and
earnest preaching of Oilbert Tennent and Samuel Blair. The summer fol*
lowing he spent with his own people at Southold, during which time he sup-
posed about twenty of them were converted ; and in the autumn he preached
for a while, amidst a powerful excitement, at Basking Bidge, N. J., and made
another brief visit, in company with Whitefield, to Philadelphia. After
spending the next winter, as is supposed, in his own parish, he went in July,
1741, into Oonnecticut, preaching in various places, as he had opportunity,
and everywhere exciting great attention, and often the most violent oppo-
sition ; while some excellent and eminent men seemed, on the whole, to
countenance him, — being willing to tolerate the evil for what they consid-
ered the greater good. At Stonington, one hundred are said to have been
awakened under his first sermon. From Stonington he seems to have gone
to the neighbouring town of Westerly, B. I., and was accompanied by the
people, in solenm procession, singmg as they went. At Bruiford, he was
invited to preach by the Bev. Philemon Bobbins, and on their way to meet-
* JovATHAV Babbis, A iod of TbooiM BiilMr. wu bom at W«it SpriagftaUU Mim.. Jaav-
•lySl, ins, and WMsiadimtadftlYsla College to 1780. H« wm limnMd to pnMli bgr tlM
Anodation of Ui sfttiTe eoontv In 178S, and oanunaMed Ua mlDigtarlal laboma In tha nai^-
AMMlatloBor UanatiTa eooDtyl&lTSS. and oanmaMad Ua mlDigtarlal laboma In thanairii-
boariBg pariah of Aaawam. Alter laa?tog than, hataamito have azcMiaad hk laliilifeiylbr
aoma yaan on Long Island, thoag^ ha wu not r^gnlariy aattled. In 1740, ha aeedmpaniad Ui
Intimata ftftntd,- Mn VThitafiisid, to tha Solith, whaia ha lamained for aaran vaan, Bttparfntand-
CBlof tha Oiphaa Hooaa In Georgia. About 174S, ha latonad to Long laland, and baaaua
paator of tha ahtreh to whieh ha had prorioaily ndniatatad. Hare he eontinned needy tan
jean. In tha aatAmn 611768, ha wu liMtalled peator of the Coagregaiiosua Ohnnh In &ro^
ton, Conn. Hniing diadiatged the dntica of a paator with fldelitj and aeOeptuMie for eight
jeMB. he UXL into » d^ and aettled meianeholy, whioh pramatorelj doaed Ua labonsk' Aiior
aMbritt vdder thli' dlatrefeifng JHOandW for neaily elthteanyean, h« died aoddenly, on the Sth
of .OelQMr, ITSS, ln;tbe aayjn^ aoeehd year of luaig** M had an aztenilTe aoiteapondenaa,
both In tUa eoontrf and Id Bniopa^ and waa heU In %h eitliaatim M aa ek#taplai(y P^^
jHid a IhlthM ninlater.
JAMES DAYSHFOBT. g3
ing on Salb&tL, he propose thAt they shotild nog ; and he did oingi deHpili
of Mr. Robbins' objdotions and expostulations. At Neir HaTen, h^ eaibo-
in oonfliot with the pastor, the Rev. Mr. Noyes, who refused to sabtdii to
his examination ; bnt he preached notwithstanding, and prodnoed a power-
fbl effect npon the mind of Da?id Brainerd and many others; thov^ an
effeot which was at best of a mixed character. At Saybrook, the Bey.
William Hart, who had been his classmate in Gollege, declined admitting
him into his pnlpit, chiefly on account of his seyere and almost indiscrimi*
nate censures of the standing ministry.
In May, 1742^ the Legislature of Oonnocticut passed a most extraordi*
naiy law, designed to regulate the conduct of ministers. If any minister
preached without express inyitation, in a parish not under his care, he was
denied his salary for a year ; and the ministers who licensed a candidate, or
counselled a congregation, not under their particular AssociatibUt were also
depriyed of their support. No minister could draw his salary, till he had a
certificate of the clerk of the parish, that he had not been complained of
for either of these offences. Any minister of the Colony, preachbg in any
place beside his own parish, without the consent of the pastor and the
majority of the people, was bound oyer in the penal sum of one hundred
pounds not to offend again : those not inhabitants of the Golony, were to be
carried out of it as yagrants. The law allowing " sober dissenters from; dm
standing order " to form congregations, was repealed.
It can easily be imagined that such a man as Dayenport was, at this
period, could not be yery safe within the range of the operation of this law.
Accordingly, we find that in June, 1742, when Dayenport and his friend,
the Bey. Benjamin Pomeroy of Hebron, had met at Bipton, by request of the
Bey. Mr. Mills, minister of the place, to consult in regiurd to carrying ibrward
the reyiyal, complaint was made to the General Assembly, of tiie disorders
to be apprehended in .consequence of their infiammatory proceedings, and
they were immediately taken up and carried to Hartford, to answer for
haying committed yarious irregular acts in yiolation of the law. During
thMr examination the greatest excitement preyailed, insomuch that the
Sheriff found it difficult to conduct his prisoners from the meeting house,
where the Assembly seems to haye held its session, to the house where they
were to be lodged ; and it was found necessary to order out a militia foroe,
of forty armed men, to protect the Assembly ftom. the hostile demonstrap
tions that were going forward. On the third day from the commencement
of the examination, the Assembly decided " that the behayiour, condu^
and doctrines, adyaaeed by the said James Dayenport, do^ and haye a natu*
ral tendency to disturb and destroy the peace and order of this goyerninenii
Tet it further appears to this Assembly that the said Dayenport is under
the influiBnce of enthusiastical impressions and impulscis, and therisby dis-
turbed in the rational fiMmlties of his mind, and therefore to be pitied and 0dm-
passionated, and not to be treated as otherwise he might be." They» there-
fore, ordered him to be sent home to Souihold. On hearing their dedunon, h*
said, *^ Though I must go, I hope Christ will not, but will Uixrf aUd ctdny
on Ids work in this goyenuHent, in spite of all the powers and nittlice of
eartii and heU." About four o'clock, P. U.; tiie Sheriff, irith %wd files tf
men anned yrith muskets, eonductted him to the bank Kit ths 'Ooimeetiouti
and pat him on board * fessel^ the <jwn6r «f whidh-?i^ti*eM Iw'tltt^ 4q'
84. PEESBTTEBIAir.
bis home. Pomeroy, who aeemed *' almoBt orderly and regnltr," in oom-
parison, was discharged.
• Shordy after this, Dayenport went to Boaton, but waa Tory generally dia-
oountenanoed by the ministers in that region. He attended public worship
at Oharlestown, on Sabbath morning afier his arriyal, and partook of the
Lord's Sapper, but in the afternoon remained at his lodgings, from an
apprehension that the minister was nnoonverted. He appeared before the
Boston Association, and gave them an aoconnt of his experience, which, on
the whole, led them to belieye that he was '^tmly pions," while yet they
< constrained to issue a public testimony disapproying his course. But
he availed, himself of the first opportunity publicly to denounce them,
representing some of ihem as unconverted, and the rest aa Jehosaphats in
Ahab's army, and exhorted the people to separate from them without delay.
In consequence of his erratic proceedings, he was seiied by the Sheriff,
and, on refusing to give bail, was committed for trial. The Sheriff offered
Wja his liberty till the day of trial came, on condition that he would pro-
mise good behaviour ; but he refused, and was accordingly kept in dose
quarters. When the trial came on, the ministers made intercession in his
behalf with the Court, and the verdict was, that while he actually uttered
nearly aU the defamatory expressions that were charged upon him, he was
a.t the time non compos mtntu^ and therefore tiot guilty.
During all this time, it is not to be supposed that his people had nothing
tp say in view of his long absences from them, or that they were satisfied
with what he was doing abroad. So fax from it, that, on the 7th of October
following, a Council was convened at Southold, by request of his congre-
gation, to take into consideration the peculiar state of things in respect to
them and their pastor, and advise as to the proper course to be pursued.
Though I have not met with any particular account of the domgs of that
Oounoil in print, I have in my possession the following document in manu-
script— ^the Result of the Council — ^in the handwriting of Jonathan Dickinson.
Vrom the fact that the manuscript is largely interlined and altered, it is pre-
sumed that this is the original draft, and that Dickinson of course was a
member, and probably the Scribe, of the Council.
*' At a Goundl of ministers convened at Southold, October, 1742, upon
the desire and invitation of the congregation there, there being a variety of
oomplaints exhibited by the committee of the First Parish in Southold aguast
i)tie Bev Mr. James Davenport, the pastor of the church there, — the Council,
after distinctly hearing both the allegations of the said committee, and Mr*
I)ay^ppprt'8 answers to their sevend complaints, and after repeated and
solemn addresses to Otni for his directing and assisting bfluences, came to
the following conclusions :
*' In the &st place, we think it our duty to declare our firm and undoubted
persi^sipn that the Glorious God has, as well in these as in several other
parts of the country, made an uncommon display of the power of his infi-
nitej(ree grace in the conviction of sinners, and in the saving conversion of
many. to himself; and that he has improved our said Bev. brother, Mr.
Davenport, aa a snocesaful instrument in oanying on this blessed and glorious
work;- and it is grievous to us to observe that some irregularities in Mr.
Dave^pprt'a conduct have, as we apprehend, in a. great measure hindered
1^ gye(iilnesPt:.<^A ,been,tiie unhappy ooeaaion of. prejudicing many against
tiie work of Goithai haa been cairied on in the land.
JAMES DAYSNFOBT. 35
^MJpoQ the Beveral artioles of complaint that are laid before tu, we pro-
pose ovr following opinions and advice. We canUbnt suppose that Us
banring sondry members of his chnroh, of good repntation for religion, from
Communion at the Lord's table, and his suspending one of his deacons,
without any other reason against them than his own private apprehension
of their internal state, was a proceeding too arbitrary and uncharitable ;
and that his refusing baptism to the children of some who have been com-
municants at the Lord's table, and to others of a blameless and regular
conversation, only from a suspicion that they were unconverted, is a just
cause of objection against him.
** We also think that his congregation have just cause to complain of his
leaving them at several times, for so long a space as he has done, without
their consent — ^whereby he has not only left them destitute of Cbspel ordi-
nances, but has been too unmindful of the obligations he lies under by his
pastoral relation to them.
*' If, by his declaring, both in praying and preaching, that he knows not
beforehand what subject he shall preach upon until he comes into the pulpit,
be intended that he makes no previous preparation for his public preaching,
this is what we cannot justify. And we must likewise testify against ihe
confusions and disorders sometimes brought into public worship, when there
is praying, and singing, and exhorting, carried on at the same time in the
same congregation, as being directly contrary to the Apostle's directions in
I. Oor. ziv^, and must therefore be displeasing to that God, who is a Ood
of order, and not of confusion, in all the churches of the Saints.
** We likewise think that his method of censuring and condemning those
ministers of the Gospel, whose conduct and conversation are nnexception-
able, is that censorious judging, so frequently and in such plain and strong
terms condemned in the word of God. And his encouraging separate meet-
ings, in consequence of such censoriousness, is such a rending of the mystical
body of Ohrist, and such a promoting of schism and uncharitableness,
contention and confusion, as b utterly unwarrantable.
** We cannot approve of his sbging along the streets, on the Sabbath,
and other days, — there being too much appearance of ostentation herein,
and we having no precept or example in the word of God to warrant such a
practice.
** We, in like manner, highly disapprove of Mr. Davenport's making imme-
diate impulses upon his mind the rale of his conduct in many cases, and
declaring publicly that he is herein acted by the immediate influence of the
Spirit of God ; this being a pretence to such degrees and kind of inspiration
as he brings no credentials to justify ; and this having also a tendency to
lead him and others off from a due attendance to the word of God, as the
only safe and sure rule of our &ith and practice.
" We also think that his refusing to let orderly ministers preach in the
meeting house, in his absence, when desired by the congregation, is con^
trary to that charity and brotherly love, which he ought to live in the exer^
cise of; and his improving and encouraging unqualified teachers to publicly
preach and exhort, without any orderly introduction to the exercise of the
sacred character, is a practice of a most mischievous and dangerous tendency,
and directly contrary to the directions of the word of G^.
" Upon the whole, as we cannot but be pleased to find such good affeo-
tion in the whole congregation to Mr. Davenport, and such a desire
|g ; FBESBTTEVIAir.
|hat.bedm)ild qoQtinue iheic iium8tev»if..h9 woiddleaT««ff'iAofl«[|h^
laa$ti9ii,.8Q we adyise tfiem to exennse some.&rbearanpe, prayings andhopiBg
tlAt^bd may yet 'be oonYinoed of theoe mistakes. But if, after tlieir. waiting
npon^bim, he yet perseveres in those irregolarities, we think < they eaii-
piot oontinne under further special obligations to bim as their minister;
bat we advise them to take the most peaceable methods they can in pro-
curing another minister. In the mean time, we earnestly entreat them to
oondnot towards their minister, and any others that differ in their sentiments
from them, with all possible kindness and respect, and to be very much in
prayer to the Great Head of the Chnrch, that he will heal their breaches,
bring order out of their confosion, and carry on a work of grace with power
MWAng them*"
How this Besolt was received by Mr. Davenport does not appear; thongh
it isqnite certain that it did not have the effect which either the council or
his people desired. It is supposed that he spent the winter of 1842^48 at
^oathold ; but he was not yet by any means cored of his delusions. In
the beginning of March, 1748, he went to New London, by request of a
company of his partisans, to organise them aa a church. Immediately on
his arrival, in obedience to messages which he sud had been communicated
to him from Ood, in various ways, he began to purify the company from
evils which prevailed among them. To cure them of their idolatrous love
of worldly things, he ordered wigs, cloaks and breeches, hoods, gowns^
rings, jewels and necklaces, to be brought together into his room, and laid
in a heap, that they might, by his solemn decree, be committed to the flames.
To this heap he added the pair of plush breeches which he wore into the
place, and which. he seems to have put off, on being confined to his bed by
t)ie increased violence of a complicated disease. He next gave out a cata-
logue of religions books, which must be brought together and burned, as
unsafe in the hands of the people. On the afternoon of the 6th of March,^>
the requisite preparations having all been made, his followers carried a
quantity of books to the wharf and burned them, singing around the pilci
** Hallelujah " and **01ory to Ood," and declaring that, as the smoke of
thoae books ascended up in their presence, so the smoke of the torment
^ such of their authors aa died in the same belief, was now ascending in
Hell. Among the authors were Beveridge, Flavel, Doctors Increase
Mitther, Gplman and Sewall, and even Jonathan Parsons of Lyme. The
ne^t day, more books were burned, but one of the party persuaded the
others to save the clothes.
For some time after this, he was laid aside from his labours by a distress-
ing iUness ; and this, in connection with two ezpoetulatory letters whioh he
Mceived from Mr. Williams of Lebanon and Mr. Wheelock, seems to have
been the means of bringing him to reflection and penitence. In 1744, he
published in the Boston Gasette an ample retraction of his errors, which
seirved, in a great measure, to restore to him the confidence of his brethren
and of the Ohurch at large. I take it from a manuscript copy which he
sent to his brother-in-laW, the Bev. Dr« Williams of Longmeadow, proba-
Uy previous to its being published. It is as follows :—
."Mo^snh Knedand ft Green : Please to give the following paper of my
Betractation a place in the Gasette, and you will oblige
*' Tour humble servant,
** jAMie Dayxn^obt.'
JAHSB DAYKKFOBT. g7
: ««<Altlioiigh I den't qaeation at all but tliere is great reason to blew Gh>d
for.a.glorioiia and wonderful work of his power and grace in the edifleation
of: bii children, and the oonyioiion and conTcraion of nnmben in New
England, in the noighbonring government, and several other parts^ within a
few yearn past, and believe that the Lord hath favoured me, though- most
unworthy, witb several others of' his servants, in granting special assist-
ance and success, the glory of all which be given to Jdbovah, to whom
alone it belongs ; yet, after frequent meditation and desire that I might be
enabled to apprehend things justly, and I hope I may say mature consider-
atbn, I am now fully convinced and persuaded that several appendages V>
this glorious work are no essential parts thereof, but of a different and
contrary nature and tendency ; which appendages I have been, in the time
of the work, very industrious in, and instrumental of promoting, by a mis-
guided seal ; being further much influenced in the affair by the fidse spirit
which, unobserved by me, did (as I have been brought to see since) prompt
me to unjust apprehensions and misconduct in several articles, which have
been great blemishes to the work of God, very grievous to some of God's
children, no less ensnaring and corrupting to others of ihem, a sad means
sof many persons questioning the work of Gk>d, concluding and appearing
against it ; and of the hardening of multitudes in their sins, and an awful
occasion of the enemies blaspheming the right ways of the Lord, and
withal very offensive to that God, before whom I would lie in the dust,
prostrate in deep humility and repentance on Ubis account, imploring par-
don for the Mediator's sake, and thankfully accepting the tokens thereof.
'* The articles which I especially refer to, and would, in the most public
manner, retract, and warn others against, are these which follow, via : —
•« The method I used, for a considerable time, with respect to some, yea
many, ministers in several parts, in openly exposing such as I feared or
thought unconverted, in public prayer or d^erwise, herein making my pri-
vate judgment (in which also I much suspect I was mistaken in several
instances) — ^I say, making my private judgment the ground of public action
or conduct, offending, as I apprehend, (although in the time of it igno-
rantiy,) against the ninth commandment, and such other passages of Scrip-
ture as are similar, yea, I may say, offending against the laws both of justice
and charity, which laws were furtiier broken.
** 2d. By my advising and urging to such separations from those ministers,
whom I treated as above, as I believe may justiy be called rash, unwar-
rantable, and of sad and awful tendency and consequence. And here I
would ask the fbrgivenees of those ministers, whom I have injured in both
these articles.
"8d. I confess I have been much led astray by following impulses or
impressions, as a rule of conduct, whether they came with or without a. text
of Scripture, and my neglecting also duly to observe the- analogy of Scrip-
ture. I am persuaded this was a great means of corrupting my experiences*
and carrying me off firom the word of God, and a great handle which the
fiJse spirit has made use of with respect to a number, and me especially.
'* 4tii. I believe, further, that I have done much hurt to rejigien, by
^pQura^ng private persons to a nunisterial and authoritative kind or
method of exhorting, which is partioulaxly observable in many suchj: being
much puffed up, and filling into the snare of the devil, while^ buoj others
are thus directly prqudioed against the work.
gg PRESBTTEBIAK.
*' 6ih. I have reason to be deeply humbled that I have not been dnly oate-
fol to endeaYoor to remoTe or preyent prejndioe, (where I now believe I might
then have done it eonsistently with duty,) which appeared remarkable in the
method I practised of singing with others in the streetr, in societies
frequently.
" I would also penitently confess and bewail my great stifihess in retain-
ing these aforesaid errors a great while, and unwillingness to examine into
them with any jealousy of their being errors, notwithstanding the friendly
oounsels and cautions of real friends, especially in the ministry.
** Here may properly be adcled a paragraph or two taken out of a letter
from me to Mr. Barber at (Georgia, a true copy of which I gave consent
should be published lately at Philadelphia. I would add to what Brother
T. hath written on the awful affair of books and clothes at New London,
which afford ground of deep and lasting humiliation, I was, to my shame
be it spoken — the ringleader in that horrid action. I was, my dear Brother,
under the powerful influence of the false spirit, almost one whole day
together, and part of several days ; the Lord showed me afterwards that
the spirit I was then acted by, was in its operations void of true inward
peace, laying the greatest stress on externals, neglecting the heart, full of
impatience, pride, and arrogance ; although I thought, in the time of it,
that 'twas the Spirit of God in an high degree. Awful indeed ! My body,
especially my leg, much disordered at the same time,* which Satan and my
evil heart might make some handle of. And now may the Holy, Wise and
Oood Ood be pleased to guard and secure me against such errors for the
future, and stop the progress of those, whether ministers or people, who
have been corrupted by my word or example, in any of the above mentioned
particulars ; and if it be his holy will, bless this public recantation to this
purpose. And oh! may He grant withal that such as, by reason of the afore-
said errors and misconduct, have entertained unhappy prejudices against
Ghristianity in general, or the late glorious work of God in particular, may,
by this account, learn to distinguish the appendage from ^e substance or
essence, — ^that which is vile and odious from that which is precious, glorious
and Divine, and thus be entirely and happily freed from all those prejudices
referred to ; and this in infinite mercy through Jesus Christ. And to these
requests, may all God's children, whether ministers or others, say Amen.
"July 18, 1744. J. Davmnport."
It was not only through the press, but m a more private manner, that
Davenport strove to repair the injuries he had done to his brethren and the
chnrohes. The church at Stonington had been rent by his disorderly pro-
ceedings ; and, after his recantation, he took occasion to revisit it, with a
view to undo, as far as he could, the mischief which he had done by his
former visit. "He came," says the Bev. Mr. Fbb, the mioister of that
parish, " with such a mild, meek, pleasant and humble spirit, broken and
contrite, as I scarce ever saw excelled or equalled. He owned his fault in
private, and in a most Ohristian manner asked forgiveness of some ministers
he had treated amiss, and in a large assembly publicly retracted his errors
and mistakes."
It would seem that he resigned his pastoral charge at Southold, shortiy
alter he published his " Betractation ;" for between that time (June,
1744) and April, 1746, he had (as appears from his letters to Dr. Williams)
* I h»d the loDf farvr obim, and the mnkrj hnmoar ngiif ti onM.
JAMES DAYSHFOBT. gg
preaohed for somo time 9i Plainfield, Oonn., — ^probably with reflnrenoe'to »
settlement, and was, at the latter date^ supplying his former bharge at Sontb-
old, with the ezpeotation of soon removing with bis wife to the *'Jersies."
On the 22d of September, 1746, he became a member of the New Brons-
wiok Presbytery, having, probably, for some time, been preaohing within
their bonnds. In 1748, he transferred his relation to the New York Pres-
bytery, with a view to settle at Oonneoticnt Farms, near Elisabethtown ;
but I find no evidence that this purpose was ever fulfilled.
In 1760, he was residing at Hopewell, N. J. He made a preaching tour
to Virginia in the course of that year, of which I find the following account
in a letter which he addressed to Dr. Williams, on the 16th of October: —
*' At the meeting of the Synod of New York, the appointment that I
should go and preach sometime in Virginia was renewed, whereupon, on the
week following, and on the 21st day of May, I set out. I delayed no longer,
because I mighty gomg then, enjoy the Bev. Mr. Davies' company into Vir-
ginia. On the 80th of May, we came to his house in Hanover, three hun-
dred and seven miles distant from hence. I went above a hundred and
twenty miles farther, even to Boanoke Biver, and came within thirty miles
of North Carolina. It was four months complete before I returned home.
After I began to preach in Virginia, I did not omit one Sabbath in the
whole journey, and generaUy preached once every week, and sometimes
twice or thrice : by this you may see that my bodily state was considerably
rectified through Divine goodness. I rode, in the whole journey, fifteen
hundred and ninety miles. The first two months of the journey, I was
bravely in health ; but the latter part of the time, more poorly, and often
fbverish, by reason of my being catched several times in the rain, as I was
travelling. As to religion, I observed encouraging appearances in most
places where I preached, and found reason to hope there were some abiding
efiects of the ministrations of the word. In and about Hanover County,
where dear Mr. Davies preaches, the Lord's people seemed generally
engaged in searching— quickened and stirred up, and some particularly com-
forted. I understood, further, that there were some souls there under convic-
tion, but more in Cumberland and Amelia Counties in my way to Boanoke.
The Lord be pleased to carry on his own work more and more, and take all
the glory to Himself, to whom only it belongs."
In the autumn of 1762, he was preaching at a place in New Jersey,
called Philippi. In a letter dated September 19th, he says,—*' My contin-
uance in these parts is at present doubtful, or rather likely to be but short,
by reason of this place, (where I now am) Fhilippi's, not continuing to bear
one third part of my support above one year ; and this, so fisir as I can
learn, not out of any disrespect to me, (for their respect seems rather to
increase,) but an earnest desire to have a minister wholly to themselves.
If I go from hence, I expect to go Southward; but where I shall fix is at
present very uncertain. Oh that this and all Divine dispensations may be
sanctified in order to lasting and spiritual benefit !"
On the 22d of October, 1754, he was installed pastor of the New Side
Church of Hopewell and Maidenhead, — the Bev. William Tennent preaching
the Sermon, from Acts xxv. 18. Beferring to this occasion, he says, —
*' Through pure mercy, I found it a day of solemnity, sense of great
unwortl^ess and insvdficiency, sweet serenity and rest of soul in God
through Christ, and dedication of myself to God, particularly in the affair
Vol. in. 12
90 ^ PBSSBXTEBIAir.
9f llie day/'. A% ^ time, i^ippeurfl.Uuit one:;Of lib oowiM, wbo Imd
«« thonghtfl of thq miniptry/' ira9 rmding with him, and thftl he was^peot-
ing eeyeral more pupila ii^ •: ahort time*. . Ka healtii had now heoome quite
oonfinned-^more yigoroiuii ia his own jnd^pnent, than it had been for aboni
twenty yean.
He was Moderator of the Synod of New York in 1764, an^.praaehed the
opening Sermon ibe Bext antmnn, from II Gor. iy. 1, It was jHrinted at
Philadelphia, at " the newest printing offioe on the Sonth side of the Jersey
market," with the title, "The fitithfol minister enoovraged."
In a letter to Dr. Williams, dated Noyember 14, 1754, he writes thns: —
*' It is indeed matter of deep lamentation that it is at present a season of
such awful seonrity a^d negleot of Gk>d, of Christ, and of men's sonls, in
omr land and nation in goieral, notwithstanding the lend oalls and warnings
the Lord giyes ns. Tet, blessed be God that there is some degree of a
reyital of religion in some.plaoes in yonr parts of late ; that there are some
also in oar parts, both in respect of qniekenings among Gk>d's people, and
awakenings among others. Something of this nature I haye haid the com*
fort of obserying lately in my place, and of hearing of in seyeral other
places. Dear Mr. Whitefield has had some encouragement our way ; sun-
dry by his means awakened, and some I heard of as hopefuUy oonyerted, —
especially one that was graduated this fiUl. We had the pleasure of Mr.
"Vniitefidd's company at tike New Jersey Oommencement, this fall, at New-
ark, and at the meeting of the New Tork Synod, the day following, in the
same place. The Trustees of New Jersey Gollege expressed something,
though but a small part, of their loye a^d esteem of Mr. Whitefield, by
inyiting and admitting him to the degree of Master of Arts. He preached
to ns, as he was much desired, on the Oommencement day, and the follow-
ing day; and the Lord was with him of a truth. I'm persuaded many of
Gtod's people, and especially of his ministers, found their hearts not a little
warmed and enliyened by Ac preaching as well as conyersation of hia ser-
yant. I don't think there was one of the ministers of our Synod conyened,
but what rejoiced much in the opportunity of seeing and hearing Mr.
Whitefield. (When the ministers of our Synod are aU together, they are
aboye sixty^ Oh that the pleasure of the Lord may prosper abundantly
in his seryant's hand, and that the name of our God may be praised for its
prospering in such a measqre already ; as also for the success of the Messrs.
Tennents and Dayies, who haye obtained, as we hear, £1600 sterUng in
Sngland, beside bookB and mathematioal instruments, and an order for a
oollection in the congregations throughout Scotland for the benefit of New
Jersey OoUege. Something yaluable was obtained in Dublin, besides a
collection throughout the bounds of the Synod df Ukter in Irdand. The
JaOtA grant that this and other OoUeges may* be fountains of piety «i well
as learning'; ^t there may yearly issue from them suoh streains as may
make glad Uie city of our God."
I make an extract from one more of Mr. Dayenport's letters, illustratiye
of his patriotism* It was addressed to his brother-in-law. Dr. Williams,
who was, at that time, setying in the army as Chaplain, at Grown Point.
It is dated July 11, 1755.
** I cannot help rcgdcing that you are called out to bear fruit in old age,
in the seryice of your Gk|d, your King, and your country. . The Lord be,
according to your desire, with yonr dear family and flock, which you haye
JAXES DAYXKPOBT. jj^
oommitted to hiB otre. And oh may Ho giyo yon, Doar and BoTorend Sir,
muoh of Ilia presenoe and blessing ! May He strengtlien yon in body and
BOol to go throogb all the Berrioes, fatignea and triata, yon may be oalled to
in this important enterprise ; and make all easy and sweet to you oompara-
tively, by firing yonr soul, from time to time, with love to Gkid and Ghrist,
to King and oonntry.
'* May the Lord Ood of Israel go before yon, and the army yon are with,
and be yonr rereward. May He saye you from all sin, eover your heads in
the day of battle, oause your enemies to fall before yon, giTe desired and
happy Buocess, and get all the glory to Himself! And oh may He lead us
to repentanoe, gratitude,and fmitfnlness by his goodness ; cause our Popish
and perfidious enemies, that are or shall be taken captive by us, to turn to
Himself, and cause Anti-Ohrist's reign soon to come to its final period !
*' Ungrateful indeed shall we be who tarry at home, if we don't pray hard
for them who are gone to fight for us ; — gone to fight, we trust courageously,
for us and our fiunilies ; for our lives, our properties, our libiarties and privi-
leges, our King and our Beligion— in a word, our every thing that ought to
be held dear and valuable by us — gone to play the man m fightbg for us,
and for the cities of our Gh>d.
'* My soul is eren now drawn out in longings in this momentous afiair.
«< Oh may the Lord God of gods, the Lord Gt>d of his Protestant and
English Israel, — ^the Gk>d who has very lately and remarkably succeeded our
forces to the Eastward, on the land and water ; — the God who, just ten
years before, delivered up Oape Breton into our hands ;-'the God who sup-
pressed a rising formidable rebellion ; — the God who defended and destroyed
the French fleet, when big with hopes of our destruction; — ^the God who
delivered and preserved our forefathers, when surrounded with a multitude
of enemies ; — ^the God who hears prayers, and will not suffer the Cktes of
Hell to prevail against his Church ; — oh may ihb God be with you and
succeed you, and all the British forces, by sea and land, abundantly, not-
withstanding our many and aggravated offences, for his name and mercies'
sake ; defeat the designs of the French, and all that job with them agaust
the Lord and against his Anointed ; destroy the man of sin ; cause Maho-
metan imposture to cease ; bring in the Jews with the fulness of the Gen-
tiles ; and bring on the latter day glory, through Jesus Ghrist, to the
eternal praise of the Infinitely glorious and blessed Three — One; Amen
and Amen.
'* So prays, Bev. and dear Brother,
" Yours in the dear Lord Jesus,
**Jamxb Dayxnpobt."
His ministry at Hopewell, especially after he became a settled pi^tor,
seems not to have been a very happy one. There was evidenUy, from some
cause or other, disquietude among his people ; for we find that a portion 6^
them asked leave of the Presbytery to join adjacent congregations, and, a
few months before his death, a petition was presented for his removal. He
died on the 10th of November, 1767, aged forty-seven years.
The following is the inscription upon his tomb stone :-:-
<f In memory of the Bev. James Davenport, who departed this lift, Kovember 10,
1757, aged fbrty-seven years.
" Oh Davenport, a seraph once in clay,
" A hrfgbter leraph now in Heavenly day.
f How glowed thy heart with sacred love and aeal^ '
92 PRESBTTEBIAir.
" How llko to tbat thy kindrad angeb feel.
" Gloth'd in hamillty thy Tlrtaes shone,
" In every eye HlnsmouB hat thine own.
" How like thy Kafter on whoee fHendly breMt,
" Thon oft hait leaned and ahalt fbrever rest.''
Hifl wife, Hn. P&rnell Dayenport, died on the 2l8t of August, 1789,
aged sixty jean. They both lie buried in a small burying ground, about a
mile West from Pennington, N. J.
They had two children. . The eldest, — a daughter, by the name of Elizor
bethf was married to a Mr. Eelley, who resided at Princeton, N. J. The
son, John^ was bom at Philippi, N. J., August 11, 1762 ; was graduated
at the OoUege of New Jersey in 1769 ; studied Theology, partly under Dr.
Bellamy, and partly under Dr. Buell of Bast Hampton, L. I.; was
ordained June 4, 1776, and served the congregation of Southold as a stated
supply for two years; preached for some time at Bedford, N. T. ; was
installed at Deerfield, August 12, 17d6, and was dismissed on account of
ill health in 1806. In 1809, he returned to the Stote of New Tork, and
died at Lysander, July 18, 1821. He was, in early life, an intimate friend
of Aaron Burr. While Dayenport was studying Theology under Dr. Buell,
and Burr was residing with Dr. Bellamy, the former wrote to the latter a
letter which is in my possession, — of which the following is an extract : —
'* I hope you are by tiiis time fully resolved to engage in the sacred work
of the mimstry, and that you see yout way clear to do it. Tou are placed
under a -rery judicious as well as pious divine, whose instruction and con-
Tersation have, I hope, proved to your spiritual benefit. I rejoice to find
you are pleased with your situation, and wish it may continue."
WILLIAM ROBINSON.*
1740-1746.
William Bobinbon was the son of a Quaker, — a man of wealth, and
an eminent physician, and was bom near Carlisle, England, a littie after
the beginning of the eighteenth century. He expected to inherit consider-
able property, not only from his &ther, but from an aunt in London ; but,
on going to London to visit that aunt, he greatiy overstaid the time which
had been allowed him, and plunged into the dissipations of the city, thereby
oontracting debts which his aunt refused to pay, and which he knew would
ezoite the indignation of hb &ther. , Being unable to remain in London,
and fearing to'retum home, he resolved to seek his fortune in America.
To this proposal his aunt gave a reluctant consent, and furnished him with
a small sum of money to assist in carrying out his purpose. On his arrival
in this country, he found it necessary to engage in some actiye business for
his support; and he betook himself to teaoMng a school in Hopewell, N. J.,
witlun the bounds of the Presbytery of New Brunswick. It seems probable
that he taught a classical school in the State of Delaware also ; for Samuel
Davies, whose parents resided in Delaware, was, at one time, one of his
pupils. We hear nothing of his erratic tendencies after he left England ;
• Hltt. Lof OoO.— Footed BMOm of Vs., I.— Webftor*! MBS.
WlLhlAM ROBDTSOK. , 93
and bis babits, from the time that be oame bitber, seem to baye been tbose
of a oorrecfc and sober man.
He bad been engaged in bis sobool for some time, before bis mind was
praotioallj directed to the subject of religion ; and tbe manner in wbicb tbis
was finally brought about, was somewhat remarkable. As be was ridmg at
a late hour one evening, when tbe moon and stars were shining with uncom*
mon brightness, he was saying to himself, — ** How transcendently glorious
must be the author of all this beauty and grandeur !" And the thought
struck him with irresistible force, — ** But what do I know of this God ?
Have I ever sought his favour, or made Him my friend ?" This impression
never left him, until he found peace and joy in believing. He soon resolved
to devote himself to the work of tbe ministry ; and with reference to this,
prosecuted his academical and theological studies at the Log College, while
be went on with bis school. He was received under the care of the New
Brunswick Presbytery on the 1st of April, 1740 ; and, on the 27th of May
following, was licensed to preach the Gtospel. On tbe 4th of August, 1741,
be was ordained at New Brunswick iifie titulo.
In August, 1742, he received a call to settle at Nesbaminy, as successor
to tbe Bev. William Tennent, but declmed it. The next winter, he was
flent as an evangelist, by the Presbytery of Newcastle, in consequence of an
earnest request from tbe people, to visit the Presbyterian settlements in
the Valley of the Shenandoah, and on the South side of James River, in
Yiiginia; and the numerous settlements of North Carolina, on the Haw.
Soon after entering Virginia, he was seised, near Winchester, by the Sheriff
of Orange County, and required to go to Williamsburg to answer to the
Governor for preadiing without a license. Before be had proceeded far,
however, the Sheriff, finding that he was evidently a sensible and well dis-
posed man, released him, and suffered him to pursue his mission unmolested.
He passed the winter in Carolina, and, in consequence of imprudent expo-
sures, contracted a disease from which he never recovered. On his return,
he preached with great effect to the Presbyterian settlements in Charlotte,
Prince Edward, Campbell, and Albermarle, Counties. Here he was waited
upon by a deputation, that persuaded him, instead of pursuing his contem-
plated route to the head of the Shenandoah, to return to Hanover. The
people in whose behalf his services ivere solicited, were far from being
agreed in their religious views ; some of them having reached the point of
denying not only the efficacy but the expediency of good works, and of
doubting whether it was right to pray, as prayer could not alter the Divine
purposes. The delegates who waited upon him, having heard him preach,
(as they were instructed to do, before extending to him an mvitation to
return with them,) were somewhat divided in opinion concenung his doc-
trines ; but ibey finally gave him a cordial invitation in the name of the
congregations. He at first declined ; but their importunity at length pre-
vailed, and he made his arrangements to visit Hanover.
On bis arrival at Hanover, several prominent individuals bad an interview
with him, and examined his tostimonUds, and satisfied themselves in regard
to bis views of Christian doctrine and practice, and the measures which he.
proposed to adopt. He submitted to their examination with the utmost
meekness and readiness, and led them to form high hopes in ri^gard to the
snooess of bis labours. He preached to them, for the first time, on Sab-
bath, July 6, 1748 ; and it was the first sermon from a Presbyterian min*
94 PBBBBtTBBIAK.
inter e^er heftrd in HttiOTdr Oooiity. He oontiimMl preaehing for four
BucoesBiye days ; daring whioli the congregation regnlarlj inereasedi uid
tbe impresaioB became oDnataatly deeper. An indiYidoal, who was present,
^ving an aooonnt of tUs series of exeroises, seven years alter, says-^'* Thete
is reason to believe there was as mnoh good done by these four sermons,
as by all the sermons preached in these parts before or since.'' And
he adds — " Before Mr. Bobinson left ns, he saocessfiilly endeavonred to cor-
rect some of car mistakes, and to bring ns to carry on the worship of God
more regularly at our meetings. After this, we met to read good sermons,
and began and concluded with prayer and singing of Psalms, which, till
then, we had omitted."
Mr. Bobinson, having passed four days, labouring publicly and privately
among these people, was constrained to taJce his departure, in order to meet
other engagements ; and besides, it began to be rumoured that measures
were about to be taken to arrest him as an itinerant. The people, partly
to compensate him for his arduous labours, and partly to testify their grati-
tude towards him, made him a handsome present in money; but he refused
to receive it; and when they urged it upon him, he still persevered in his
refosal, believing that the peculiar circumstances of the case would not jus-
tify him in any other course. The committee to whom the matter was
entrusted, being still resolved to carry their point, put it into the hands of
a gentleman with whom he was to lodge the night before leaving the oountyi
with instructions that he should deposit it privately in his saddle-bags, not
doubting that when he found it there after his departure, he would appro-
priate it to his own use. This was accordingly done; but, in the morn-
ing, when Mr. Bobinson came to lift his saddle-bags, he found them much
heavier than usual, and, on opening them, immediately discovered the cause.
He smiled at the benevolent artifice, and said, — ''I see you sore resolved I
shall have your money; I will take it; but, as I have told you before, I
do not need it; I have enough, nor will I appropriate it to my own use;
but there is a young man of my acquaintance, of promising talents and
piety, who is now studying with a view to the ministry ; but his circum-
stances are embarrassing; he has not ftmds to support and carry him on
without much difficulty; this money will relieve huai from his pecuniary
diffieoltiea: I will take charge of it, and appropriate it to his use; and, as
soon as he is Ucensed, we will send him to visit you ; it may be that you
may now, by your liberality, be educating a minister for younelves." The
youQg man here referred to wa^ Samuel Davies, afterwards the illustrious
I^esMent Davies. .Mr» Bobinson q>plied the money as he had promised;
and, in due time, Mr. Davies went to Hanover,^cU6fly it is said, m coil-
sideration of his peculiar obligations to the people, add remained tbevd ten
yearft» maldng so broad and deq^ a mark in the churacterof the community,
that time has done littie to effim ii
Mr. Bobinson's labours, daring this tour, were aidudas and unremitted,
and withal eminently sucoessftd. EBs health, aft^ this,' visibly d^lined;
but still he kept at his work, being employed part of the time in the State
of New York, and piart of the time in Maryland ;-*-and -a ribh bliessitag
seems everywhere to have attended his hboors* Mr. (aftsrwardi^ Fiheet^
dent) Davies renders the* IbUowiog testimony coneertiiiig' him :^'
'' in KaryUud alio there has beeo a conddBrable revival, iTihiU t catl'lttj or f^
^laAtaUon of rdlgloa. ^ • >• • In Kent C<nintjaiid hi QueeB Abiie^i,'^L'iiiudKr'
WILLIAM ROBINSON 95
of owdeM liiiiieni ham been awakened and hopefUIj bronkbi to Olurlai. The work
WM begnni and moatlj oarried on, by the instromentalitj or that fkTOored man, ]fr.
Bobfauion, whoae snooeia, wheneyer I reflect upon it, astonlf hei me. Oh, he did much
in a little time: and who wonld not chooae inch an ezpeditioito pilgrimage through
thif world f There are in these places a considerable congregation, aad they haTO
made repeated eflbrts to obtain a settled minister. Bnt the most glorious diaplav of
PiTine grace in Maryland has been in and about Somerset County. It began, I think.
in 1746, by the ministry of Mr. Robinson, and was afterwards carried on by sererai
ministers who preached transiently there.''
On the 10th of March, 1746, Mr. Bobinson was dismissed from the
Presbytery of New Bmnswiok to the Presbytery of New Castle, with a
view to his becoming the p^tor of the congregation in St. George's, De.; —
% congregation which had been gathered nnder his labonn, in connection
with those of Mr. Whitefield. Bnt in April following, before he had yet
been installed oyer his charge, his earthly conrse was finished. His Fnneral
Sermon was preached on the 8d of the sncceeding Angnist, by the Bey.
Samnel Blair. Ho bequeathed his library to his friend and beneficiary, the
Bey. Samnel Dayies. There remains little docnmentary testimony con*
oeming him ; bnt there is a uniform tradition that he waa an dminently
deyont and beneyolent man, and one of the most yigorons and effectiye
preachers of his day.
The following anecdote is related on the authority of the late Bey. Br.
HUl of Virginia: —
'' On the night befbre Mr. Robinson was to preach in Hanorer fbr the first time, he
rode late to reach a taYcm within some eight or ten miles flrom the place of preaching.
The tayem keeper was a shrewd, boisterous, profkne man. When uttering some hor-
rid oaths, Mr. Robinson ventured to reproye him for his profknity; and although it
was done in a mild way, the innkeeper gaye him a sarcastic look, and said, ' Fray,
Sir, who are tou to take such authority upon yourself f ' I am a miaister of the
Gkwpel.' says Mr. Robinson. ' Then you belie your looks yery much,' was the reply.
[It is said that Mr. Robinson had the small pox very severely, which had giyen him a
yery rouc^ rissge, and depriyed him of the sight of one of his eyes. It was with
reference to his forbidding appearance that the innkeeper seemed to question his min-
isterisl character.] ' But,' says Mr. Robinson, ' if you wish certainly to know whether
I am a minister or not, if you will accompany me, you may be conrinced by hearing
me preach.' ' I will,' says the innkeeper, ' if you will preach A*om a text I will give
rm.' ' Let me hear it,' says Mr. Robmson, ' and if there is nothing unsuitable in it,
will.' The waggish innkeeper gaye him the passage from the Psalms—' I am foar-
fblly and wonderfully made.' Mr. Robinson agreed that it should be one of his texts.
The man was at Mr. RoUnson's meeting, and that text was the theme of one of his
sermons. Before it wss finished, the wicked man was made to ftel that he was the
monster, and that he was foarftilly and wonderfUly made. It is said that he became
a yery pious sad nseflil member of the church."
Br. Alexander says,—*
" Probably Mr. Robinson, during the short period of his life, was the instrument In
the conyersion of ss msay souls, as any minister who oyer liyed fai this country. ' The
only circumstance relating to his person which has come down, is, that he was Mind
of one ^1 so thai by some he was called 'the one^yed Robinson."'
nUBSETTEBIAK.
SAMUEL PINLET, D. D *
IWO— 1766.
Samuxl Finlsy was born in the year 1715, in the Oonnty of Armagh,
Ireland, and was one of seven sons, all of whom were eeiteemed pious. His
parents were of Scottish descent, and were distingnished for an elcTated
Ohristian character. Finding that their son was fond of learning, and withal
was gifted with an uncommon facility for acquiring it, they gave him the
best advantages which their circumstances would allow ; and, after havbg
obtained the rudiments of an English education, they sent him to a school
at some distance from hom^, in which he distinguished himself by his suc-
cessful application.
When he was in his nineteenth year, he left his native country with a
view to find a home on this side the Atlantic. He arrived in Philadelphia
on the 28th of September, 1784. He seems to have been the subject of
serious impressions from early childhood ; and he used to say that, when be
was only six years old, he heard a sermon which wrought powerfully upon
his mind, and awakened in him an earnest desire to become a preacher of
the Gk>spel ; and this desire gradually became a purpose, and was never lost
sight of in any of his subsequent arrangements. On his arrival in this
country, he resumed his studies with reference to the ministry ; and though
there seems to be no certain evidence of the fact, yet it is supposed that he
studied at Mr. Tennent's Log College ; — partly because there was at that
time no other institution in the Presbyterian Ohurch in which young men
were trained for the ministry, and partly because he put himself under the
care of the New Brunswick Presbytery, most of the members of which
had here received* their education. After having gone through the pre-
scribed trials, he was licensed to preach on the 5th of August, 1740. As this
was a period in which the public mind was greatly awakened to relif^ous things,
he travelled extensively for some time after his licensure, and co-operated
vigorously with the friends of the revival. He laboured, for a considerable
time, and with great success, in West Jersey ; in Deerfield, Greenwich, and
Gape May. He preached likewise, with much acceptancai for six months,
as a stated supply, to the congregation in Philadelphia, over which GKlbert
Tennent was afterwards settled. He was ordained, probably as an evangel-
ist, by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, on the 18th of October, 1742.
In August, 1748, several calls were presented to him, — one of which was
from MiUbrd, Oonn.; and the Presbytery sent him to Milford '*with allow-
ance that he also preach for other places thereabouts, when Providence may
open a door for him." Having preached at Milford, he went, by request
of Mr. James Pierpont, to preach to the Second Society in New Haven ;
but, as that Society was not recognised by the civil authority, or the New
Haven Association, it was an indictable offence to preach to it. Accord*
ingly, on the 5th of September, as he was on his way to meeting, he was
seked by a constable and confined. A few days after, he was presented by
•Aammh. Uim. Mag. I.— Paiii». I.— Obilrt. Mag. I.— Mas. Wm. Vatt. IT.— App. to
GiMD'g Diaeovwi.— m^. Log. OoA.-43initli»8 QM Bdl-8toM^ or HiKorioiilBkotiliof of Woft-
om Pnsb7t«lailni.-WolMl«r*8 M88.
SAMUEL FIKLBT. 97
the grand jury, and judgment was given that he should be carried out of
the Oolony as a vagrant. The sentence waa executed ; and, though he peU^
tioned the Assemblj, in October following, to review the case, his prayer
was denied.
In June, 1744, Mr. Finley accepted a call from the congregation in Not-
tingham, Md., on the borders of Pennsylvania, where he continued in the
faithful discharge of the duties of his office nearly seventeen years. Here
he instituted an Academy, with a view chiefly of preparing young men for
the ministry, which acquired great reputation, and was resorted to by many
from distant parts of the country. Among those whom it numbered as its
pupils, at one time, were Governor Martin of North Carolina; Dr. Benja-
min Bush of Philadelphia, and his brother, Jacob Rush, — an eminent
judge ; Ebenezer Hazard of Philadelphia ; Bev. James Waddel, D. D. of
Virginia ; Bev. Dr. McWhorter of Newark, N. J.; Oolonel John Bayard,
Speaker of the House of Bepresentatives ; Governor Henry of Maryland,
and the Bev. William M. Tennent of Abington, Pa. He was an accom-
plished teacher, and amoug his pupils were some of the very best scholare
of the day. He boarded most of them in his own house. At table, ha
often indidged a vein of pleasantry with them, and used to say that nothbg
was more promotive of digestion than a hearty laugh.
Before Mr. Davies was chosen to the Presidency of the OoUege of* New
Jeney, Mr. Finley was seriously thought of for the place; and when Mr.
Davies at fint declined, he recommended him as a penon every way quali-
fied for that important station. Upon the death of President Davies, in
1761, Mr. Vinley was chosen his successor. So strong was the attachment
between him and his congregation at Nottingham, that it was not without a
severe struggle that he made up his mind to accept the appointment ; and
it was only the prospect of increased usefulness, that finally determmed
him. Having signified his acceptance of the Presidency, he removed t»
Princeton in July, 1761. This event was regarded as highly auapkious t»
the interests of the OoUege ; and his administration, which continued for
five years, fully met the highest expectations that had been indulged in
regard to it. His reputation, which before was very considerable, now
became much increased and extended : he corresponded laigely with eminent
men, not only in this country, but in Europe. Among his foreign corres*
pendents was the Bev. Dr. Samuel Ohandler, a celebrated Dissentbg
minister, in England, who estimated so highly his theological and general
attainments, that in 1768, he procured for him the degree of Doctor of
Divinity from the TJniveraity of Glasgow ; — ^the fint instance, it is believed,
in whieh this honour was ever conferred on any Presbyterian clergyman on
this side the Atlantic.
Dr. Finley's unremitted application to the duties of his office began, after
a while, to perceptibly impair his health, and an obstruction of the liver
was induced, which proved beyond the reach of medical skill. When he
found himself seriously ill, he went to Philadelphia to avail himself of the
prescriptions of the best physicians there ; but he seems to have had little
i^prehension that his disease was to have a fatal issue ; — for he remarked
to his friends, — " If my work is done, I am ready — I do not desira to live
a day longer than I ean work for God. But I cannot think this is the case
yet God has much fbr me to. do before I depart henpe."
Vol. m. 18
fg PSESBTTBBIAir.
About a month before ho died, hb physician expressed to him the opinion
that his reoovery was hopeless ; npon which, he seemed entirely resigned to
tiie Diyine will ,* and, from that time till his death, he was employed in the
immediate preparation for his departure. On being told by one oi his phy-
sicians that^ according to present appearances, he conld Uye but a few days
longer, he lifted np his eyes and exclaimed, " Then welcome. Lord Jesns ! "
On the Sabbath preceding his death, he was informed by his brother-in*
law. Dr. Olarkson, one of his physicians, that there was a decisiye change
in him, from which he apprehended that his end was near. '* Then," said
he, "may the Lord bring me near Himself. I have been waiting with
a Canaan hunger for the promised land. I have often wondered that (3od
suffered me to live. I have more wondered that ever He called me to be a
xhinister of his word. He has often afforded me much strength, which, though
I have often abused. He returned in mercy. 0, faithful are die promises of
God ! 0 that I could see Him as I have seen Him heretofore in his sanc-
tuary ! Although I have earnestly desired death, as the hireling pants for
the evening shade, yet will I wait all the days of my appointed time. I
have often struggled with principalities and powers, and have been brought
almost to despur — Lord, let it suffice ! " Here he sat up, and closing his
eyes, prayed fervently that God would show him his glory before he should
depart hence, — that He would enable him to endure patiently to the end, and
particularly that he might be kept from dishonouring the mmistry. He
then resumed his discourse, and spoke as follows: — *'I can truly say I
have loved the service of God. I know not in what language to speak of my
own unworthiness. I have been undutif ul ; I have honestly endeavoured to
Act for Gk)d, but with much weakness and corruption." He then lay down, but
continued to speak in broken sentences. " A Ohristian's death," said he,
*' is the best part of his experience. The Lord has made provision for the
whole way ; provision for the soul and for the body. 0 that I could recol-
lect Sabbath blessings .* The Lord hath given me many souls as crowns of
my rejoicing. Blessed be God, eternal rest is at hand ; Eternity is but long
enough to enjoy my God. This has animated me in my secret studies ; I
was ashamed to take rest here. 0 that I could be filled with the fulness
of God, — that fulness that fills Heaven." Being asked whether he would
choose to live or die, he replied, " to die, thong|h I cannot btit say I feel
the same strait that Paul did, that he knew not which to choose; — * for me
to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' But should God, by a miracle, pro-
long my life, I would still continue to serve Him. His service has ever
been sweet to me. I have loved it much. I have tried my Master's yidce,
and will never shrink my neck from it, * Hb yoke is easy and his burden
light' " One said to him — '* Yon are more oheerftd and vigorous, Sir.''
*' Yes, I rise or-fell, as eternal life seems nearer or ferther off."' It bemg
remarked that he always used the expression * Dear Lord,' in \ai ^thjen^
he answered, *' O, He is very dear, very precious indeed."-^" How pretty
is it for a minister to die on the Sabbath. I expect to ipend the remainder
of this Sabbath in Heaven." One of the company said,—'* You will sodn
be joined to the blessed society of Heaven ; you will forever hold 'mter-
eourse with Abraham, Isaac j and Jacob, and with the sj^irfte of the just
Inade perfect— with old' friends' and maHy old-feshioned >)>eopl6r.'^ ''Yes,
Sir," he replied with ft sifiild« ''but they are a inoA polite 'p^plenw/'
Be-expressed great gratitude to friends around him, and said, *' May the
SAMUEL FQTLBT. ^^
lipid repay joa ; nay He bleae yon abandAntly, not only witb lemponi
bnt with spiritual blessings ! " Turning to his wife, he said, ** I ezpeot, my*
dear, to see yon shortly in glory." • • • • Seeing a member of the
Seoond Presbyterian Chnroh present, he said, — " I hare often preached and
prayed among yon, my dear Sir, and the doctrines I preached to yon are
now my support, and blessed be Gk>d, they are without a flaw. May the
Lord bless and prosper your church. He designs good for it yet, I trust.*'
To a person from Princeton he said, — ''Give my love to the people of
Princeton, and tell them that I am going to die, and that I am not afraid
to die." He would sometimes cry out, " The Lord Jesus will take care of
his cause in the world! " Upon awaking the next morning, he exclaimed,
** 0 what a disappointment I have met with — I expected tlus morning to
have been in Heaven ! " On account of extreme weakness, he was unable
to speak much duiing the day, but what he did say was the language of
triumph. The next morning, with a pleasant snule on his countenance, he
cried out, — ** 0, 1 shall triumph over every foe. The Lord hath given me
the victory, I exult — I triumph. 0 that I could see untainted purity.
Now I know that it is impossible that &ith should not triumph over earth
and hell. I think I have nothing to do but to die. Yet perhaps I have— »
Lord, show me my task." He then said, — ** Lord Jesus, into thy hands I
commend my spirit — ^I do it with confidence — ^I do it with full assurance;
I know that thou wilt keep that which I have committed to thee. I have
been dreaming too Ust of the time of my departure, for I find it does not
come ; but the Lord is £iiitbful, and will not tarry beyond the appointed
time."
In the afternoon of this day, the Bev. Blihu Spencer called to see him,
and said, — " I have come, dear Sir, to see you confirm by facts the Gospel,
you have been preaching: pray. Sir, how do yon feel?" To which he
replied, — ** full of triumph. I triumph through Ohrist. Nothing clips my
wings, but the thoughts of my dissolution being prolonged. 0 that it were
to-night ! my very soul thirsts for eternal rest." Mr. Speuoer asked him
what he saw in eternity to ex<nte such vehement desires. '^ I see," said
he, "the eternal love and goodness of Gk>d; I see the fulness of the
Mediator. I see the love of Jesus. 0 to be dissolved, and to be with
Him. I long to be clothed with the complete righteousness of Ohrist."
He then desired Mr. Spencer to pray with him before they parted, and
said, — '* I have gained the victory over the devil. Pray to Ood to pre-
serve me from evil — to keep me from dishonouring his great name in this
critical hour, and to support me with his presence in my passage through
the valley of the shadow of death."
He spent the rest of the evening in taking leave of his friends, and in
addressing affectionate counsels and taxhortations to those of his children
who were present. He would frequently cry out, — •^ Why move the tardy
hours so slow I" The next day brought him the release for which he had
panted so long. He was no longer able to speak ; but a firiend having
desired him to indicate by a sign whether he still continued to triumph, he
lifted his hand, and articulated, — " Yes." At nine o'clock in the morning,
he fell into a profound sleep, in which he continued, without ((hanging his
position^ till about one, when his spirit gentiy passed away, to its eternal
home. Dnri^ his whole illness, ha maniftsted the most entire snbmisdon
<10O PBSSBtTBBIAH.
io the DiTiBO will, and a fall assnrtnoe of entering into rest. BUb death
oooorred on the 17th of Jnly, 1766, in the fifty-fint year of his age.
It was the intention of Dr. Finley's friends to eanj his remains to Prinoe*
ion for bnrial ; but the extreme heat of the weather forbade their doing it,
and he was boned by the side of his friend, Gilbert Tennent, in the Seoond
Presbyterian Chnroh in Philadelphia. His Fnneral Sermon was preached
by the Bev. Bibhard Treat,* of Abington. When the chnroh, at a snbse-
qnent period, was taken down, the remains of both these Tcnerable men
were transferred to the bnryiog gronnd belonging to the Seoond Presby-
terian Congregation, in which they still repose. Many of the students of
ihe Oolite went to Philadelphia to attend his fdneral, and ^ht members
of the Senior class, agreeably to a request which he made upon his death
bed, carried him to the graye. The Trustees of the College testified their
respect for his memory, by causing a cenotaph to be erected in the cemetery
at Princeton, in a line with the tombs of the other Presidents whose remidns
repose there.
Dr. Finley was twice married; — first, to Sarah Hall, a lady of rare excel-
lence, who died in the year 1760, previous to his learing Nottingham ; and
afterwards, in 1761, to Anne, daughter of Matthew Olarkson, an eminent
merchant of New York, who was a lineal descendant of the Bey. Darid
Olarkson B. D., one of the two thousuid ministers ejected for non-con-
fbrmity in England, in 1662. He had eight children, — all by the first
marriage. His second wife surviyed him forty-one years, and died in January,
1808. For seyeral of her last years, she was totally blbd ; but she bore
the affliction with the utmost cheerfolness. His son, Ebentzer, was gradu-
ated at Princeton OoUege in 1772, and was afterwatds a highly respectable
physician in Oharleston, S. 0. One of his daughters was married to Samuel
Breese, Esq., of Shrewsbury, N. J., who was the mother of the wife of the
Bey. Dr. Morse, the American Oeographer.
The following is a list of Dr. Finley's publications : — A Sermon on Matthew
ziL 28, entitled ''Ohrist triumphing and Satan raging," preached at Not-
tingham, 1741. A Befutation of Mr. Thomson's Sermon on the doctrine
of Oonrictions, 1748. Satan stripped of his angelic robe: the substance
of seyeral Sermons preached at Philadelphia, showing the strength, nature,
and symptoms of delusion ; with an application to the Morayians, 1748. A
Charitable Plea for the speechless in answer to Abel Morgan's ** Antipssdo-
baptism, 1747. A Yindication of the preceding, 1748. A Sermon at the
ordination of John Bodgers at St. Oeorge's, 1749, A Sermon entitled
fVThe Ourse of Meroi, or the danger of neutrality in the cause of Ood and
our country," 1767. A Sermon on the death of President Dayies, 1761.
The Bey. Dr. Woodhull, late of Monmouth, N, J., who was one of Dr.
Finley's pupils, writes thus concerning him : —
'* Dr. Finley was a man of imall itatnre, and of a round and mddj conntenanea.
In the pulpit, be was always solemn and sensible, and sometimes glowing with ftnroor.
His learning was very extensiye: e?ery branch of study tanght in the Gouege appeared
to be fiunOiar to him. Among other thinss he tanght Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, in
the Senior year. He was higUj respected and greatly belofed by the students, and
had yery little dii&cnlty in goreming the GoUege. He died in my Senior year, of a
BiCBAHD TasAT, a desaeadaat or aeer relatlTe of Goronor Boberi Tkoaty was bom al
bid,OoBB.|8optflmborSS, irOSi was gradnsAod aft Talo OoUmo In 171S| was ORteiaod and
aUod partor of the ohnnh in Abingta, Pa., ^ the PUiad^^
Lt waShoDOOod with the dogiie^ J>oolor of IMfiaity f^
I in ITTS. aged soTonly jean.
SAICUBL FINLBT. ^^
oomplalni of tbe liver; and requested to be carried to ihe grvre \fy some of tlie Senior
dees. This mm aooordinc^ done, and I was one of tbose who were the bearers of his
Bbeneier Haiard, Esq., of Philadelplua, formerly Poetmaster General of
the United States, — another of Dr. Vinlej's papils, says of him, —
" He was remarkable fbr sweetness of temper, and politeness of beharioar. He was
given to hospitality: charitable withont ostentation: exemplary in the disdiaige of sH
rdative duties; and in all things showing himself a pattern of good works. Asa
diyine, he was a Galrinist in sentiment. His sermons were not hasty productions, bvlt
filled with good sense and well digested sentiment, expressed in language pleasing i»
men of scfenoe, yet perfectly intelligible by the imterate. They were calculated. to
inform the ignorant, to alarm the careless and secure, and to edUV and comfort the
falthftil."
Dr. Finley had a brother, James^ who became a useful minister of the
GhMpel. . He was bom in the Oonnty of Armagh, Ireland, in February,
1725, and was nine years of ag6 when he oame with his parents to this
country. His eduoaUon was obtained ohiefly under the direotiou of the
Bev. Samuel Blair. After reoeiving license to preach, from the Newcastle
Presbytery, (as is supposed), he was ordained and installed pastor of the
church in East Nottbgham, (now called the Bock,) by the same Presby-
tery, in 1762. About eight years after his settlement, his pastoral charge
was enlarged, by the union of Blk with East Nottingham. In 1777, and
again 1782, he asked his Presbytery to dismiss him, but, in consequence
of the united and earnest opposition of his people to the measure, the Presr
bytery in each oase refused his request. After the second refusal, h^
a|>pealed to the Synod, and they dismissed him by their own act ; but his
dismission to the Presbytery of Bedstone, of which he afterwards became a
member, was not effected till the 26th of April, 1786. He removed with
his &mily to Western Pennsylvania in 1788, and the next year accepted a
call from Behoboth and Boundhill, — two Societies in the Porks of Youg-
hiogheny. It does not appear that he was ever formally installed over
these churches, and yet he was recognised as virtually sustaining the pas-
toral relation. He continued to labour here diligently and successfully till
his death, which occurred on the 6th of January, 1705. After he removed
to the West, the Supreme Executive Oounoil of Pennsylvania oommissioned
him as a Justice of the Peace, and a Judge of the Common Pleas. He
had the reputation of being an eminently devout and godly man, but much
inferior to his brother Samuel in point of talents and acquirements. He
published a pamphlet entitled — <'An attempt to set the Levitical Prohibition
in relation to marriage in a true light." Three of his sons were elders iii
the church at Behoboth, and one,— JbAn Evans^ was graduated at Prinoetoik
in 1776; was licensed to preach by the Newcastle Presbytery; and weiit
to Kentucky about the year 1796, and became pastor of the church ilk
Bracken, Mason Oounty, where he exercised his ministry during the grettt
revival.
PBBStiTrBBIAK.
SAMUEL BUELL, D. D *
1741—1798.
Saitoil Bvxll wm born at Ooreniry, Oonn., September 1, 1716.
Hb &ther, who was a respectable and wealthy £Eurmer, designed him for
agnonltnral pursuits ; bat, at the age of seventeen, a change occurred in
die views and feelings of the son in connection with the subject of religion,
^hich gave a new complexion to his pursuits and prospects for life.
It does not appear tiiat his childhood and youth had been marked by any
particular moral delinquencies, or unusual tendencies to evil ; but, at the
time above referred to, (about the year 1783,) he became deeply impressed
with a sense of his sinfulness, and of his absolute dependance for sidvation
on the sovereign mercy of God through Christ. His views of his own
character were so deeply abasing, and his sense of ill desert so pungent,
that, for a season, he was upon the borders of despur. But these exer-
cises, having continued several months, at length gave place to a calm and
humble trust in the merits of the Redeemer. From this time, the ruling
passion of his soul was to serve Gbd in the best manner he could ; and if
he could gain reasonable evidence that such was the Divine will, to serve
Him in the ministry of reconciliation.
He felt, however, that the office of a minister of the Gospel was too
important to be approached lightly ; and he did not determine to enter upon
it without taking much time for deliberation and prayer. For more than
two years, he held the question of duty oonstandy before him, availbg
himself- of the advice of judicious firiends, and whatever other helps were
,within his reach, to enable him to form a conclusion that he could justify
io his conscience. The result was a determination to spend his 'days in
preaching the Gk)spel; and, with a view to this, he at length set about his
preparation for entering OoUege.
After devoting a little more than a year to his preparatory course, he
Stored Tale OoUege in 1787. Notwithstanding the midtiplied temptations
incident to college life, he seems to have lived continually in the fear of
Qod, and, for the most part, in the comforts of the Holy Ohost. From
{K)me written memoranda of his experience at that time, which have been
preserved, it would appear that, sometimes, for months together, he had
an. uninterrupted and most delightful sense of the presence and grace of
(JocL Here he formed an intimate aoquaintance with that devoted Chris-
tian, and afUrwards eminent missionary, David Brainerd;-r-an acqumntance
irhich was mutually and gratefully cherished, till Brunerd was taken to his
reward. Mr. BueU's application to his studies, while in College, was most
exemplary, — as was evinced by his highly respectable improvement in the
various branches of study. He was graduated in September, 1741.
It had been his intention, from the commencement of his literary course,
to pass several years, before entering the ministry, under the theolo^cal
instruction of Jonathan Edwards, at Northampton; but, in consequence of
the peculiar state of things which existed at the time of his leaving Ool-
* Hli A]iiilT«nu7.]iafllu»Iiti«d* and Hilf Otm^ary S«nnoii.— Dagsettt Ton. San.— Conn.
Sraag. Hag., II.— Kan»aT« of th« nmatkMt B«TiTal of religion.— Privo^ HifU L. I.-
SAVUEL 9UELL. |Q3
1^, involving a preasing demand for ministerial laboiur, he determined to
apply immediately for Uoense to preaoli. This peonliar state of things was
nothing less than the extensive revival vrhioh prevailed at that time in
various parts of the country, in which Whitefleld had so prominent ad
agency. No doubt Mr. Bnell had devoted himself much to theological
reading, and especially to the study of the Scriptures, while he was in Col-
lege ; but, after aU, he must have entered on his work with very imperfect
qualifications, as he was licensed to preach, by the New Haven Association,
within about a month from the time he was graduated.
Mr. Buell's ardent temperament, acting under the influence of an earnest
piety, rendered him at once much at home in the scenes in which he was
called to mbgle. His first efforts in the pulpit showed that his whole heart
was in his work; and they promised nothing which was not realised in his
whole subsequent life. Whatever may have been the defects of his sermons,
growing out of the want of mature preparation for the minbtry, there was
a deeply evangelical tone pervading them, and a fervour and impressiveness
m the manner in which they were delivered, that rendered him at once one
of the popular preachers of the day. Shortly after he was licensed, he
journeyed to Northampton, preaching frequently and very effectively on the
way. Here he spent several weeks, — with what acceptance, and with what
effect, may be learned from the following extract of a letter from Mr.
Edwajrds, to the Bev. Thomas Prince of Boston, dated Northampton,
December, 1742: —
" About the beginning of February, 1741-42, Mr. Bnell came to this town, I being
then absent from home, and continued so till about a fortnight after. Mr. BneU
preached from day to day, almost ever^r day, in the meeting boose, (I having left to
him the free liberty of my pulpit, hearing of his designed Yisit before I went from
home,) and spent almost the whole time in religions exercises with the people, either
in pnblic or prlyate,— 4he people continually thronging him. There were very extra-
orainary effects of Mr. Buell's labours; the people were exceedingly moyed, crying
out in great numbers in the meeting house, and great part of the congregation com-
monly staying in the house of Grod for hours after the pnblic service. Many also
were exceedingly moYcd in private meetings where Mr. Bnell was; and almost the
whole town seemed to be in a great and continual commotion, day and night; and
there was indeed a very great revival of religion. When I came home^ I fbund the
town In very extraordinary clrenmstanoes,-Hinch, in some respects, as I never saw it
in before. Mr. Bnell continued here a fortnight or three weeks, after I returned,
there being still great appearances attending hb labours."
One may form some idea of the usual effect of his preaching from the
following entry in his diary, made some time after this, in reference to one
of his sermons: —
" The first time I ever preached to an assembly, where tears of afibction under the
woid were not to be seen; and almost the first, when the Lord was not manifestly
present with the people.''
After having spent about a year in visiting different parts of New Bug-
land, he was ordained in 1748, by an ecclesiastical counoO, as an evangelist^
and in this capacity oontmued to prosecute his labours in various places,
until he was obliged temporarily to suspend them on account of enfeebled
health. It is due to his memory to say that, unlike some other evangelists,
both of early and later times, he was always cheerfully subject to the will
of the pastors in whose congregations he laboured ; and while he was ear-
nestly engaged in the promotion of what he fully believed to be a gennihe
revival of religion, he utterly disapproved of the rash and fiuiatioal measures
by which some of its friends attempted to sustain it.
104 FBESBTTERIAK.
The illnesB by whioh hin labonn were now intemipted, pvoted k i
what Berions one ; and, for a oonnderable time, both he and hia frienda
beliered that hia ooorae waa nearly finished. Doring thia period of trial,
hia apiritnal exeroiaea were of the moat aatisfihotory kind ; and he waa aoona-
tomed afterwarda to reoor to thia atage of hia Chriatian ezperienoe, as the
ground of a aabaeqnently inereaaed confidenoe in the gennineneaa of hia reli-
giona eharaoter. It pleaaed Gkd graciously to interpoae for hia deliTerance
from expected death, and, after being taken off fi^m hia labours for the
greater part of a year, he waa permitted to return to them with renovated
health, and to oontinne them with little interruption for more than half a
century.
It waa a somewhat notioeable providenoe that directed Mr. Buell to the
field of labour whioh he was destined ultimately to occupy. The church at
Beat Hampton, L. I., owbg to the infirmitiea of their pastor, the Rev. Mr.
Huntting,* had, for aome time, been wiahing to call to their service some
young man, but had become divided by their ineffectual attempts to accom-
plish their purpose. A majority, however, at length agreed upon a candi-
date ; and they went so &r aa to convoke an ecoleaiaatical council for the
purpose of ordaining him. But, when the council convened, they found so
formidable an opposition, that they did not feel juatified in proceeding to
the ordination. Many of the people complained of their decision, for this
among other reaaons, — that they could not afford to incur the additional
expense of looking after another miniater ; — ^but to thia objection it waa
answered by Mr. (afterwards President) Burr, and some other members of
the ooundl from New Jersey, — ^that they should be at no additional expenae
in the matter, as they would themselves undertake to furnish them a minis-
ter who should be acceptable. A short time after this, Mr. Buell, having
act out on a preaching tour to the South, stopped at Newark, where he met
Mr. Burr, who persuaded him to direct hia course to East Hampton, and
g^ve him an introduction to that vacant church. He had preached to them
birt a few Sabbaths, before they gave him a unanimous call, and on the 10th
of September, 1746, they had the happineas of seeing him regularly installed
aa their pastor. The Sermon on the occasion was preached by Jonathan
Edwards from Isaiah Ixii. 4, 6, and was published.
Notwithstanding the great success whioh had attended Mr. Buell's early
labours, he was himself quite aware that his intellectual preparation for his
work had been too superficial ; and was glad to avail himself of the oppor^
tunity furnished by a more settled mode of life, to engage more vigorously
and systematically in the appropriate studies of a minister. Accordingly,
he became at once a diligent student ; and his profiting quickly appeared
•NAmAvzaL Hmrrmro mm a ton of John and BUnbeth (Pavm) Hvnttiv* tad a gnad'
■OB of John Hnnttinc who ouno flpom BngUnd in Soptembor, 1688, and MtClod ti DMham»
Ma«., where he died April IS, 1083. He (ETetiuuiiel) was bom «t Bedhem, Norember 16,
1676; ma mdnated ak uanraid OoUeie la 1608: began to preaeh at Baafc Hampton In Bep-
tember, 1696; was inataUed paetor of Uiai ohuroh, Septembw 18, 1699; wai diamived at bia
own reqaeat, on the aettlemeni of bia aoooeaaor, September 19, 1746; and died September SI,
1768, in hia aeTenty-eifdith year. He waa fUendlj to the gieat rerival, bat beeaoae he oppo-
aad the irreffnlaritiea that attended it, he waa u^natl/ ohaiged with boatilitj to the revlTal
itaalf. Dr. Seeeber in hia Hiatory of Beat Hampton, MTa,— ^'Mr. Hnnttinc waa a man of
ationf and diatingoiahing mind— ftrm and independent withoat raahneai and obaunaey x an haid
atadent, an aeeorate aoholar, and of extendTo theologioal reading." He waa manied to Mmrj[
^ , andbad ten ehfldren,— eiz oona who reaehed matniitf— fr ' ' '»-...
Chreen. andbad ten ehfldren,— eiz oona who leaehed matnrf^ir— two of whom, NaikanUl and
jMoikam entered the miniatiy, bnt wore obliged to dealat from pnaehing on aeeonnt of iU
liealth. The lionner waa giadnated at Harvard Conege in 17tt, and died in ]770| the totter
wtf gmdoatedatTale Co&ege in 1TS6, and died in UA.
aAMTBL BUELL. iQg
unto all. As a proof of the mufonnity of his application, it is noted in his
diary, at the close of a number of the first years of his ministry,-—'* This
year hftve written all my sermons, and have preached them without notes.'^
Bat, though he was careful to stir up the gift that was in him by a due
degree of intellectual culture, his &yourite maxim was ** usefulness is life :*'
and his acquisitions were always tamed to the best practical account. He
could never content himself in his study, when he saw that there was a;
special demand for active labour in lus congregation. Besides the stated
services of the Sabbath, he preached once or twice in different parts of his
parish during the week, and in seasons of special attention to religion, much
more frequently. His sermons are represented as having often been of
extraordinary length, insomuch that, not unfrequently, he found it difficolt
to detain his whole audience to the close of the service.
There are some amusing traditions in respect to the manner in which he
sometimes contrived to prevent his hearers from leaving the church before
the sermon was over. The two following I received from Dr. Miller. On
one occasion, after preaching nearly two hours, — as long as he could feel
secure of the presence of all his hearers, — ^he remarked that he had done
preaching to sinners, and they were at liberty to go — the rest of his discourse
would be addressed to good people. A gentleman, who once went to hear
him, stated that, when the hour glass was nearly ready to be turned a
second time from the commencement of his sermon, he said, — (much to the
relief of the person who related it,) '* Once mare " — ^after gobg on some
eight or ten minutes longer, he said — ** To conclude " — and Bttar another
about equal interval, he said — ** Lastly:" the gentleman added that he
expected every moment to hear him say — " Everlastingly^"
The most striking characteristics of his preaching through life were
solemnity and fervour ; and one great secret of his power lay in the fact
thAt he made his hearers feel tiiat every word he uttered came from his
inmost soul. His sermons were rich in scriptural bstruotion ; but they
were especially distinguished for tiie vigorous grasp with which they laid
hold of the conscience. As a tiieologian he belonged to the same school
with Edwards and Bellamy, and the former particularly he regarded as hav-
ing spoken and written witii almost superhuman wisdom.
As might be expected of a man so distinguished for lus piety, he attached
the highest importance to the efficacy of prayer; and, while his own pray-
ers always showed that he was under the influence of a baptism of the Holy
Ohost, he laboured earnestly to infuse the same spirit into the hearts of his
people. It was part of the economy of hb religiops life to acknowledge
Qod's hand in every thing. In a sermon preached upon the death of his
first wife, (but not published,) after alluding to the sad changes which had
occurred in his family, he says, — *'I hope your candour will not deem it
ostentation for me to add that my comforts were received with prayer,
praise, and the joy of trembling, and have been parted with, (however
nature might oppose,) with prayer, submission, and, at last, praise."
His success as a minister was fully answerable to his seal and fidelity.
He was privileged, at three different periods, to witness a remarkable atten-
tion to religion in his congregation. The first revival which occurred in
1764, was &r the most extensive and powerful : ninety-nine were added to
the church at one time, and many others subsequently, as the froits of the
same work. A similar state of tiibgs existed in 1786, and in 1701; and,
?0L. m. u
106 FRE9BTTXBIi3(.
at yarioiis other periods, liia ooogregation was p«rvaded« in » gitetet:or.ba8
degree, by an awakening and qnickenbg bfiaenoe. The remoter effeot of
these seyeral reyivals was to promote the oredit of religion, and to inorease
the stability and extend the influence of the church.
At no period of his ministry was Mr. Buell's situation at once so trying
and so responsible as during the ReTolntionary war. The taldng possession
of the Island by the British occasioned the utmost consternation among the
inhabitants, and not a Small portion of them fled for safety. Bat this
excellent man remained firm and constant at his post, resolved that nothing
but death should remove him from his field of labour. By his uniform
urbanity, discretion, and conscientiousness, he acquired no inconsiderable
bfiuenoe with some of the British offioers, which he was enabled to turn to
good account for the interests of the town and the neighbourhood. In some
oases, his life was in imminent danger ; but every one saw that he counted
not his life dear to him, if, in the discharge of his duty as a minister of
Ohrist, he were called to surrender it.
&is usefulness was far from being confined within the limits of his own
congregation. Of the Presbytery to which he belonged he was an active
and highly influential member; and, even in his old age, he was uniformly
punctual in his attendance upon its meetings. His sound judgment and
incorruptible integrity gave great value to his opinions and counsels. He
was extensively known, not only by his general influence but by his
writings, and particularly by a Narrative of the great revival of religion
which occurred among his people in 1764. He received the degree of
Doctor of Divinity from Dartmouth OoUege in 1791.
Dr. Buell was intent on promoting not only the spiritual but the intelleo-
tual interests of his people. A few yean before his death, he was instru-
mental of establishing, at Bast Hampton, Olinton Academy,— *an institution
over which he exercised a parental supervision as long as he lived, and which
has been, and still continues, a great public blessing. In this Academy he
was accustomed to deliver a lecture, as long as his strength was adequate
to the effort, once a week. It is still regarded in that neighbourhood with
no small reverence, as a monument of his public spirit and philanthropy.
As he possessed great natural cheerfulness and vivacity, he was a most
agreeable companion, and the young as well as the old were always glad to
be in his society. He had an inexhaustible frind of anecdote, which, how-
ever, he dealt out with great discretion, and never at the expense of dimin-
ishing bis own dignity, or forfeiting the respect of others. In his domestic
relations, he was an example of whatever is tender, amiable and attractive.
He was distinguished for his hospitality, and his visitors were sure to meet
with a cordial and joyous welcome.
Dr. Buell was married three times. His first wife was Jerusha, daughter
of the Rev. Joseph Meacham of Coventry, Oonn., with whom he lived about
twelve years. His second was Blary, daughter of Blisha Mulford of East
Hampton, with whom he lived twenty-two years. And his third was Mary,
daughter of Jeremiah Miller of East JBLampton, whom he married but a
short time before his death, and who survived him about forty years. He
had ten children — only two of whom survived him.
Dr. Buell was distinguished for his patience and fortitude in suffering ;
and it was no common degree of suffering, especially in the way of domestio
bereavement, that was allotted to him. During die time that he was the
SMMXnSL BUSLL. ?Xj(^
liead'Of ft funily, no^leM than fbavteen deathB oeoofred i» liiii li0di») eiglit
of whioh were it his children. Bat, in times of the deepest soitow, he
stayed himself upon €k>d the Oomforter ; and no personal affliction was ever
sniFered to interfere with the discharge of his pnbLlo duties. He was aocns-
tomed to avail himself, in the pulpit, of these sad eyents, as fumishmg
matter of instruction and admonition to his people ; and two of hb sermons,
preached on these occasions,—- one after the death of a son, the other after
the death of a daughter, — were published, and still remain to testify to the
strength of his parental sensibility and of his religious affections.
His fiaoulties, both physical and intellectual, retained their yigour, in an
uncommon degree, to the last of his days ; — a blessing for which he was no
doubt much indebted to his rigid observance of the rules of temperance.
On the day that completed his eightieth year, he rode fourteen miles,
preached, and returned home in the evening. His last illness was short,
and but a single Sabbath passed, affcer he left his pulpit, before he was in
Heaven. But he had no painful misgivings, — ^not a chiU of apprehension,
in the prospect of encountering the king of terrors. He know in whom he
had believed, and felt asilured that his Bedeemer would keep what he had
committed to Him against the day of his appearing. He died on the 19th
of July, 1798. The following extract from the Sermon preached at his
Funeral by the Bev. Herman Daggett, and afterwards published, will show
more particularly what were his exercises in the immediate prospect of his
departure : —
" He said that hla mind was in perfect peace, and seemed never to have enjoyed a
more triumphant faith. He appeared to haye impressions upon his mind concemina
the glory or the Chnrch, ai hastening on. which he wished to communicate, hnt could
not for want of strength. He desired Also to speak much to those about him upon
the roldect of having an interest in Christ, the importance of which, as it then
appeared to him, he said, was unutterable. He had no desire to recover, but to depart
and be with Ghnst. He viewed himself, he said, as now passina Jordan's flood, and
within a step, as it were, of the promised land, and the thought of returning again into
the wilderness was painftd to him. When asked, at one time, oonoeming the state of
his mind, he requested his friends, in order to obtain it, to read the seventeenth chapter
of John, repeating several times the twenty-fonrth verse—' Father I will that they also
whom tnou hast given me be with me where I am ; that they may behold the giiory
which thou hast giyen me.' Towards the last, he observed that he felt all earthly con-
nections to be dissolved; and his sonl appeared to be drawn with snch strengUi and
pleasure to the glorious world of light, that he oonld not bear to be interrupted by the
assiduities of his fHends, who were seeking to administer to his perishing dust, fre-
quently putting them aside with one hand, whilst the other was raised to Heaven,
where his eyes and his soul were flsed. And in this happy frame he continued, till
the progress of his disorder wholly deprived him of the power of speech."
The following is a list of Dr. Buell's publications : — A Sermon preached
at Brookhaven, at the ordination of Mr. Benjamin Tallmadge, 1754. A
Senhon occasioned by the decease of Mrs. Esther Darbe, 1767. A Sermon
preached at East Hampton at the ordination of Mr. Sampson Occum, a
missionary among the Indians, 1769. A Sermon occasioned by the
lamented death of the Bev. Mr. Charles Jeffrey Smith, 1770. A spiritual
knowledge of Gh>d comprehensive of all good and blessedness : A Sermon
preached at Enfield, 1771. A Sermon occasioned by the death of his
daughter, Mrs. Jemsha Conkling, 1782. A Sermon occasioned by the
death of his only son, 1787. A Sermon delivered at the ordination of the
Bev. Aaron Woolworth, to the pastoral charge of the church in Bridge-
hampton, 1787. An Anniversary, Eucharistical, and Half-century Sermon^
delivered at East Hampton, 179^. A Sermon delivered immediately afl^r
108 PBESBTTEBIAir.
the fimeral of Suniiel BaeH Woolworth, 1794^ A Semonpreaohed at ihe
ordination of Joseph Hiaaid* at Southold, 1797.
FBOK THE REY. HENRY DAYISi D. J).
PEJMXDXn OV XIDDLIBUXT AVD UAXOOOM OOLLEOn.
GiDraoir, K. Y., Jnly 12, 1848.
Key. and dear Sir: I clieerftilly oomplj with your request to fbmish yoa, u fiur
as my very infirm health will admit, my reminieceDces of the late Dr. Samuel
Baell. He was pastor of the church in East Hampton, my native place, at the time
of my birth. By him I was baptised; and though absent subsequently for a
number of years, yet, when still a youth, I returned, and became one of his parish-
ioners. My recollections of him, and of many scenes that I witnessed during
his ministry, have scarcely begun to &de, even after the lapse of more than half
a century.
Some of the most interesting erents of Dr. Buell's ministry were anterior to
my recollection, and in connection with the ReTolutionary war. The struggle
for independence had but recently commenced, when Long Island fell into the
possession of the British, and so it remained till its termination. Many families
fled for refUge to the Oontinent; and among them several from East Hampton,
who were the Doctor's most cordial and able supporters. Such, at this time,
was his reputation, that there was scarcely a vacant church in New England, of
his denomination, but would gladly have opened its doors to him. He could not
but foresee the dangers and sufferings which awaited him and his people who
remained behind, but still he deemed it his bounden duty to stay at his post.
During the entire period of the war, he continued to exercise his ministry among
them, — ^not only preachiog to them regularly on the Sabbath, but doing his
utmost to alleviate their sufferings, and guard them against the multiplied temp-
tations to which their circumstances necessarily exposed them. The situation
of East Hampton was somewhat peculiar: it was not only the constant residence
of a portion of the British land forces, but a large squadron of the navy was,
duriug a considerable part of the time, stationed in Gardiner's Bay, which is but
a short distance from the North shore of that town. This rendered the inter-
course of the British with the inhabitants constant and unavoidable, and sub-
jected the latter to very serious evils. But though the Doctor took no pains to
conceal from the enemy his entire sympathy with the Colonies in their struggle,
he was greatly respected by the officers for his gentlemanly deportment and
general intelligence; and, while they actually sought his society, he was always
ready to meet them with every suitable expression of good will. Some anecdotes
are told that strikingly illustrate the high estimation in which he was held by
them, as well as the fearlessness of his spirit and the quickness of his wit. The
Oommander-in-chief of the land forces remarked to him that he had commanded
some of his formers to appear on a certain day, (I believe on the Sabbath,)
with their teams, at Southampton, twelve miles distant. *' So I have under-
stood,'' said the Doctor; "but I have countermanded your orders;" and, in
consequence of this countermand, the project was relinquished. A young British
officer, recently arrived, rode to his door and said, " I wish to see Mr. Bnell."
The Doctor soon appeared. " Are you Mr. Buell ?"— was the question. " My
name is Buell, Sir," " Then," said the officer, bowing with great respect,—" I
have seen the god of East Hampton." On one occasion he was invited by the
officers to accompany them on a deer-hunt. The iuvitation was accepted. But
the Doctor, perceiving that one of the company was dissatisfied on account of
some delay, at the commencement of the excursion, pleasantly asked him — "And
what portion of his majesty's troops. Sir, have you the honour to command ?"
• Josm HitAsv ifM ordiliMd and initalM the leroiai miniiiOT of SenQioIdy Jute 1, 1Y9T |
was dimliMd In April, ISOS s and died al BrooUys, L. I., In 1817.
SAMUEL BUBLL. (^09
" A legion of deyik dii^ from hell>'? was the answer. The Doetor, assuming
an attitude of profpond respect, replied, " Then I presume. Sir, I have the
honour of addressing Beelsehub, the prince of the devils.'' The officer, as if about
to revenge what he considered an insult, drew his sword. But, at the smile and
nod of his superior, he instantly sheathed it again. Before the excursion was
ended, however, he became greatly interested in the Doctor, and it was evident
that whatever unpleasant impression the occurrence had occasioned, was entbdy
removed. There can be no doubt that Br. Buell possessed, in an extraordinary
degree, the qualities, both natural and acquired, that were fitted to give him
influence in the peculiar circumstances in which he was placed, during this stormy
period; and it may reasonably be doubted whether his usefulness as a minister
was, on the whole, ever greater, during a period of equal length.
In the year 1785, and not long after my return to Bast Hampton, it was my
privilege to witness a powerfiil revival of religion under Dr. Bueirs ministry.
Within mx or eight months, more than one hundred, who were hopefiil subjects
of the work, made a public profession of religion. Many more were thought by
some to give evidence of having experienced a radical change, and were not
entirely without hope for themselves. But, in the judgment of the pastor, the
prosperity and efficiency of a church are not in exact proportion to its numbers;
and he deemed it of vital importance that there should be much opportunity for
reflection and self-communion, before so important a step should be taken as
coming into the visible Church. On this subject, as indeed on every other in
connection with his ministry, he uniformly observed the most exemplary caution.
His whol^ course, not only during that revival, but throughout his subsequent
ministry, impressed me deeply with the conviction that he was leminently a man
of God, and devoted unreservedly to hie service. His church had large expe-
rience of his wisdom and faithfulness. They walked together in the love and
fellowship of the Gospel, and were seldom called to the painful duty of disci-
plining oflTenders.
In his stature the Doctor was of the medium height. His fVame was somewhat
slender, but possessed great strength and elasticity. He was unusually quick in
all his movements. In his natural temper he was ardent, yet amiable, firank,
and uncommonly cheerfhl. Few men were more discreet and circumspect: he
perceived intuitively what was fitting on every occasion, and in his intercourse
with men of all classes and conditions. I cannot call to mind that, in relation
to pecuniary or other secular concerns, there was ever the least difficulty or mis-
understanding between him and any one of his parishioners, or that he was ever
complained of by any for neglecting them, or for bestowing too much attention
upon others, or for being too much or too little occupied in his worldly concerns.
He possessed great power of voice as well as physical vigour, and was favoured
with uniformly excellent health. His sermons were never less than an
hour, and not unfrequently ttom an hour and a half to two hours, in length.
They were, for the most part, unwritten, and were delivered without notes, and
with great force and animation. Tet he never complained of being fktigued by
speaking, or, in any other way, as far as I know, gave the least indication of it.
He was much in the haUt of taking out his watch, and would often remark,
" Brethren, time fails me,'' and excuse himself for not saying all on the subject
that he had intended. He remarked to me, not long before his death, that, for
a period of fifty years, he had not been prevented by ill health ttom preaching
on a single Sabbath; and added that he had preached ten thousand times—*
greater number he presumed than any other man in America.
In his intelleotual habits he was remarkable for industry; and he was espe-
cially diligent in the discharge of all his professional duties. He studied the
suljects of his discourses wiUi great care, and I doubt not bestowed more time
upon them than many clergymen do who write out every word. He had, fbr
110 PBESBTtraXAir.
those timeSy an extensive and yalnable library; and ftw men need ^tlieir books
more thoroughly or to better porpose. He was oonyersant, in no small degree,
with the writings of the early ftthers, and especially was a dose stadent Of
Ohnreh History. From the former he was in the habit of qaoting much in his
pnblio disoonrses. He once told me that he had deyoted about twelye of the iMst
years of his ministry to the stody of the prophecies, and had prepared an
eltended treatise on the sobject for the press; bat he added, ^* as I was about
patting my manuscript into the hands of the printer, Bishop Newton's work on
the same subject appeared, and finding his pUn and general views to coincide
with my own, I was induced to abandon the idea of publishing what I had pre-
pared.»»
Though social and hospitable in his feelings, and courteous and affable in his
manners, he seldom visited his people, and had but little personal intercourse
with them, except in seasons of revival. In his study, however, he always wel-
comed those who wished for religious instruction ; and, in cases of sickness, he
was ever at hand to administer needed counsel and consolation.
In spending the most of his time in his study, preparing for the services of the
sanctuary, he thought he could do most to accomplish the great ends of his min-
istry. He was regarded as eminently a man of prayer. The intimate fellow-
labourer with Edwards, Whitefield, and Brainerd, he imbibed a large measure of
their spirit. He had little action in the pulpit, and yet he preached with great
power and directness, and kept back nothing which he believed to be the counsel
of Qod. His usual services in the church were two sermons on the Sabbath.
He preached much, however, during the week, in the three neighbouring villages
within the town, and spent no little time in regular catechetical instruction.
But he seldom preached himself, or attended any religious meeting in the eve-
ning, except when there was an unusual attention to religion. His people, how-
ever, were in the habit of holding, regularly, meetings for prayer and rdigious
conference, and they were favoured with much preaching in the church besides
the sermons on the Sabbath. Few ministers of his day, I imagine, were visited
by so many of his brethren from abroad, either f^om curiosity or other motives,
as Dr. Buell. His visitors were principally fVom New England. To his clerical
brethren he always gave a most cordial welcome; but one or more sermons to his
people was the tax which each one had to pay for his hospitable reception. From
this tax no minister, of regular standing, and of sufficient strength to preach, was
exempt. But there was Uiis amusing diflference— Baptists and Methodists must
address his people from the deacons' seat, while those of his own denomination
only were admitted to the pulpit — ^the " sanctum sanctorum,'' as he was wont
to odl it. The ringing of the bell, at one or two o'clock in the afternoon, or a
little befbre sunset, was the signal that a minister was in town, and that publio
worship would commence in about one hour; and in due season a respectable
audience was always collected. He was once visited by two licentiates of the
names of Oimmm and More. Oramm preached in the afternoon. At the close
of the exerdses, the Doctor infbrmed the congregation that there would be
preaching in the evening. He then turned to the young men in the pulpit, and
said, with his characteristic pleasantry, though certainly with questionahle pro-
priety,— ** My people have been Crammed but they want Man.*'
He was distinguished for self-control; seldom, if ever, thrown off his balance,
on occasions which furnished strong ground for provocation, and seemed to invite
to hig^ excitement. Even in seasons of deep affliction, he was enabled to sua*
tain himsdf with wonderfhl composure, not merely fh>m natural self-command^
but fh>m the perfect oonfidenoe which he felt in the rectitude of the Divine
administration. A strikliag illustration of this occurred in< connection with the
death of his only son,-Hk youth of unoommon promise, and greatly beloved,
who died of the small-pox at. the age of sixteen or seventeen. Though he^ was
SAMUEL BUELL. JXl
but a tbort distuioe from the town, the Doctor was not aUe to he witb hhn
during his sickness, or at his death. The Key. Mr. Woolworth of Bridgeham|H
ton, (snheequentlj Dr. Woolworth, and son-in-law of Dr. Baell,) was present
to preach at the fhneraL After the remains were interred by the few who could
attend to the painM duty without exposure, the people collected for worship. —
The Doctor arose, and, with uplifted hands, — a gesture yery common with
him, — and eyes directed to Heayen, broke the profound silence ^f the great
congregation in the language of Job— *' I know that my Redeemer liyeth, and
that He shall stand in the^lattor day on the earth.'* With deep emotion, but
perfect self-command, he addressed the audience for fifteen or twenty minutes.
The eflbct cannot be described: his own were the only tearless eyes in the
assembly.
Dr. Buell once remarked to me that there was not, to his knowledge, a single
indiyidual in the town, professing to be of any other denomination than the
Presbyterian. It would haye been strange indeed, considering the great age to
which he liyed, had he experienced no abatement of his influence before his
death. At my last ioteryiew with him, — I belieye when he was eighty-two or
three, — he remarked, alluding to the change in the times, — " There was a time
when, if a question arose touching the boundary between this town and South-
ampton, I could go and tell them where I thought it ought to be, and the mat-
ter was settled; but," he added, not without some degree of feeling, "it is not
so now.*'
Without endorsing the opinion entertained of him by President Stiles, who
remarked to a young gentleman, after reading a letter which he had handed him
from Dr. Buell, ** This man has done more good than any other man that has
eyer stood on this Continent," — ^I think it cannot be doubted that his character
and labours present many striking pointo of interest, and that he was, on the
whole, among the most remarkable and useful men of his generation. If he
may not be regarded as, in aU respecte, a proper and safe model for ministers of
the present day, yet they may find much in his history that furnishes admoni-
tion and encouragement to unwearied diligence and fidelity in the performance
of their duties. I remain, my dear Sir,
With unfiugned affection and respect,
Tour friend and brother,
HEMBY DATIS.
FROK THE HON. ALFRED COMKLING,
9VOQU Of TBI nXBTaiOT OOUBT OV TBI UiriTXD STATXS, AMU AXBAMBADOM TO lOXXOO.
KxLBOSs, near Auburn, September 6, 1848.
Rey. and dear Sir: In acceding to your request, some months ago, that I
would commuiucate to you my recollections of the Rey. Dr. Samuel Buell, who,
for more than half a century, was the sole minister of the Gospel in my natiye
town, I was not altogether unaware that I was acting with more compAaisanoe
than prudence. Tou will, I am sure, do me the Justice to remember, howeyer,
that I took special care to warn you against indulging any other than yery
moderate expecUtions touching the fulfilment of my promise. But, along with
my misgiyings, I did, I confess, entertam the hope that when I came, as I haye
this morning for the first time done, to Ux my memory on the subject, I should
be somewhat more successful than my letter will show me to haye been, in
localling something concerning this remarkable man, which it might interest you
to know. The result, neyertheless, with regard to my own personal liftminiscen-
ces, has been exactly what I ought to haye foreseen it would be; for, at the time
of his death, I was less than nine years old, and the residence of my parente
112 PBESBTTBBIAlf.
was three miles firom his^ and from the church where he offidated. I do not
remember, therefore, ever to have heard him preach more than two or. three
times. But I heard much of him, both befpre and after his deoeasci eBpedallj
from my mother, who Regarded him, while he was liring, with the liveliest senti-
ments of esteem and veneration, and cherished his memory with affectionate
and reverential regard. I have heard her speak also still more frequently and
affectionate||r of his deceased daughter, JirOBha^ whose rare intellectnal and
moral endowments and glowing piety justly entitle her name to be associated
with that of her distinguished fkther. She was, at the time of her death, the
wife of one of my paternal uncles, and I have in my possession an affbctionate
but apparently a very impartial tribute to her memory, entitled " Memoirs of
the life and death of Mrs. Jerusba Oonkling," written by her father. Judging
ftom all I have heard and read of her, she seems indeed to have been one of the
very noblest specimens of female character.
I remember Dr. Buell only as a venerable looking old man, wearing a large,
remarkably neat white wig, rather small of stature and of slight frame, but of
dignified mien and serene aspect. The portraits I have seen' of him are express-
ive of great firmness and decision; and he was unquestionably a man of uncom->
mon energy and boldness as well as of uncommon sagacity. I have often heard
it related of him that while, during the Revolutionary war, Long Island was in
possession of the British forces, he was unwearied and eminently successful in
efforts to protect the inhabitants against those oppressive exactions and injuries
of every sort, to which their situation exposed them. He was, at that time,
upwards of sixty years old; and his ability to render these important services
to the inhabitants of that part of the Island, (where a considerable body of
troops were long stationed,) arose chiefly from the great respect and esteem in
which, though an unflinching Whig, be was held by the better cUiss of the British
oQcers. His sprightliness, wit, and gentlemanly manners, are said to have made
him a fiivourite with them, notwithstanding the independence of his spirit, and
his Arm adherence to his political as well as religious principles. I have heard
my father speak with lively interest of a conversation of a religious cast at which
he was present in a village church-yard, at a fUneral, between Dr. Buell and an
English officer, who, I am nearly certam, was the celebrated Major Andre,
whose romantic character and unhappy fiite awakened so painful a sympathy on
both sides of the Atlantic. Dr. Buell seems indeed to have been hardly less
attentive to the temporal than to the spiritual welfare of his people. He may,
with unusual propriety, be said to have been a father to them; and the patri^
arohal character of his intercourse shows that he r^;arded himself in that
light*
Soon after the conversation I had the pleasure of having with you respecting
Dr. Buell, meeting my friend Sylvanus Miller, Esq., also a native of East Hamp-
ton, I made some inquiries of him concerning the Doctor. Among other things,
he mentioned an incident which occurred at the time of the removal of his father
from that town. Mr. Miller was then, as I think he told me, eleven years old.
After all the arrangements fi>r the removal had been completed, and the fltmily
were about to depart. Dr. Buell came to take a flnal leave of them; and, after
bidding adieu to the senior members, he caused my informant and his little
brother to kneel down before him, and laying his hands upon their heads, he
** blessed '' them. That blessing must have sunk deep into the young heart of
my old flriend, unless I misinterpreted the visible emotion with which, after the
lapse of seventy years, he narrated the incident; and it may not have been with
out its firuits, in enhancbg the moral beauty of his blameless and highly usefiil
lilb. He related also several other anecdotes pf Dr. Budl, illustrative of the
extraordinary versatility of his talents, of his enterprising spirit, and of th^
healthftd and buoyant tone of his mind.
SAXUSL BUELL. X13
li wag these qualities, added to his ardent pietj, that inspired his peotJe with
the almost nnboonded oonfidenoe thej appear to have reposed in him» and made
him what he undoubtedly was in hb day and generation,— a distinguished pub-
lic benefiMstor. Beliere me, dear Sir,
With high respect and regard,
Faithfully yours,
A. COKKLINO.
DAVID BRAINERD *
1742—1747.
David Brainxbd was bom at Haddam, Conn., April 20, 1718. His
lather was Heaekiah Brainerd, a man of considerable note in the Colony.
His mother was a daughter of the Rer. Jeremiah Hobart, who, in the
latter part of his life, was a settled minister in Brainerd's native place.
While he was quite a child, he was the subject of strong religious impres-
sions, and was accustomed to meet with several others of about his own age,
for purposes of devotion and Christian improvement. But, though he
evidently imaged himself, at the time, the subject of a radical spiritual
change, he was subsequently convinced that this was but a delusive experi-
ence. And this conviction was accompanied with the most humbling sense
of his own sinfulness, and of the justice and holiness of Qod. After a
protracted season of mental agony, which he describes as arising from
inward resistance to the terms of the Oospel, he found peace and joy in
believing. As he was walking in a retired place, on a summer evening, in
1789, for purposes of serious meditation, fully convinced of his absolute
ruin and entire dependance on God's grace, a great and wonderful change
came over his mind, which he considered as marking, at least, the first per-
ceptible operation of the renovated nature. His views of the character of
God, of tiiie character and mediation of Christ, and of the office of the
Holy Spirit, became -dear, elevating and rapturous; he breathed a new
atmosphere ; he lived for new objects ; in every action that he performed
he desired to hide himself^ that Chod might be all in all.
In September, 1789, shortly after this stage of his experience, he was
admitted a member of Tale College. The extravagance which prevailed in
connection with the great revival of that period, had the effect, as was to be
expected, of drivbg a portion of the religious community to the opposite
extreme ; and Yale College, with President Clap at its head, seems to have
been thrown into somewhat of an opposbg attitude. Hence the religious
atmosphere about the College was cold ; and the government even went so
&r as to enact severe penalties against those students who should be heard
of at a " New-Light " meeting. Brainerd, from the natural fervour of his
spirit, as well as from his deep sense of tibe importance of eternal thingi,
was inclined to sympathise with the more lealous party, and looked upon
this prooednre of the government as an unreasonable and tyrannical infringe-
• Bninefd*! Jovnal.— BdfrMdi' Fsn. Seim.— Lift hj Bdwudi.— Do., bj S. 1. Ihrislbt.— »
Do., by W. B. 0. Podbody.— Aflonb. Hto. Mag- II.— Mooot Hbtorioid DlMOonif.
Vol. nr. 15
114 PRESBTTEBIAK.
ment of hie liberty; and he attended the ^< Separate " meeting, without any
^regard to the offensiye enactment. About the same time, he was overheard
to say, in converBation with several of his fellow-stndents, in respeot to one
of the Tutors, that he did not believe he had any more religion than the
chair on which he sat. The individuals with whom he was conversing
having been required by the Rector to state the conversation, Brainerd
was ordered to make a public confession of his £ault in the chapel. But,
regarding the requirement as unreasonable and vindictive, he refused to
submit to it ; and, in consequence of this, was expelled from College. There
is no doubt that the course which the government adopted in relation to
him, was, in some measure, the result of sensitiveness to the prevailing
religious excitement, and was designed as a strong expression of their oppo-
sition to Whitefteld and his coadjutors ; but, however much they may have
been in fault, it must be acknowledged that Brainerd's course was justly
liable to reprehension. Indeed, he was himself afterwards fully sensible of it ;
and, though he always considered himself as having been treated with undue
severity, he never hesitated to acknowledge his fault, and it is evident that
he profited not a little by his reflections upon it.
This untoward circumstance occurred while he was in his Junior year;
and, as he never returned to College afterwards, he of course failed to
receive a degree. In the spring of the same year in which he left College,
he commenced the study of Divinity under the direction of the Rev. Jede-
diah Mills of Ripton, Conn., and, on the 20th of July following, (1742,)
was licensed to preach by the Association of ministers holding its session
at Danbury. From the commencement of his theological course, he had
felt a deep interest in the deplorable condition of the heathen, especially the
Aborigines of our own country — ^his heart burned to follow in the footsteps
of the apostle Eliot, in bringing the Gk>spel in contact with their darkened
understandings ; and, accordingly, in the autumn after he was licensed, he
Went to New Tork, by invitation from the Correspondents of the Society
for promoting Christian Knowledge, and, after being duly examined,
received a regular appointment from them as a missionary among the
Indians.
The first scene of his missionary labours was at an Indian village ealled
Eaunaumeek, about half way between Stockbridge* and Albany. Here
he lived in the woods nearly a year, lodging, during a part of the time, in
a wigwam with the Indians, aiid subsisting altogether upon Indian fiire.
tPhOugh he was subject to the greatest deprivations, and often suffered not
a little from bodily debility and disease, he persevered, without interruption,
in his benevolent labours, until the Indians, among whom he resided, agreed
to remove to Stockbridge, and place themselves under the care of the Rev.
Hr. Sergeant. In consequence of this arrangement, he was obliged to look
but for another field of labour, and forthwith directed his attention towards
ihe Delaware tribe.
' Having been ordained by the Presbytery of New Tork, at Newark, N.
7., in June, 1744,-^on which oooasion the Rev. Hr. Pemberton of New
Itork preached, — he immediately stationed ^himself near the Forks of the
Delaware, in Penm^lvatila, where he laboured, with comparatively little
apparent effect, for about a year. At the end of this period, he visited the
In4iaii8 at a village cabled Crosweeksnng, in the neighbourhood of Freehold,!^
the residence of the oelebrated William Tennent. Here was the scene of hil'
DAyiB BRAIKEBD. H^
greatest siiocess. A wonderful Divine influenee accompanied his labours,
and, in less than a year, he baptized seyentj-seven persons, thirty-eight of
whom were adults, whose subsequent life furnished satisfactory evidence <yf
a true conversion. There seems no reason to doubt that this was not only
a very powerful, but very genuine, revival of religion. In a letter addressed
to the Bev. Dr. Wheelock, he says — <*The good work which you will find
largely treateH of in my journal, still continues among the Indians ; though
the astonishing Divine influence that has been among them is, in a consider-
ble measure, abated. Y^t there are several instances of persons newly
awakened. When I consider the doings of the Lord among these Indians,
and then take a view of my journal, I must say 'tis a faint representation
I have given of them. Among those who witnessed to the remarkable
oharacter of this work were the Rev. William Tennent and the Bev. Charles
McKnight,* both of whom lived in the immediate neighbourhood, and could
testify from actual observation.
During his residence at the Forks of the Delaware, he twice visited the
Indians on the Susquehanna; and he paid them a third visit in the sum-
mer of 1746. But, on his return to the village where he had been recently
labouring, his physical energies were so far exhausted, that he found it
exceedingly difficult to preach, and, in pursuance of medical advice, he
determined to travel, and visit his friends in New England. He went as
hr as Boston-, and in July returned to Northampton, and became domestic
cated in the &mily of Jonathan Edwards, to whose daughter he was engaged
to be married. Here he continued, undergoing a gradual decline, accom-
panied, towards the close, with the most intense suffering, till October 9,
1747, when he closed his earthly course at the early age of twenty-nine.
His last illness is represented as a most calm and yet triumphant
exhibition of Christian faith. His views of Divine truth were never so vivid
and glorious, as when he had nearly reached the threshold of that world,
where the objects of his faith were to become the objects of his vision. He
saw nothing but worthlessness and emptiness in himself, nothing but worthi-
ness and fulness in his Bedeemer ; and while he was yet lingeriDg at the
gate of death, he seemed to be entranced with the glories of Heaven. Hei
forgot not, even amidst hb dying agonies, and the anticipation of the
crown that awaited him, the prosperity of Christ's Church on earth; and
the poor Indians especially, among whom he had laboured, came in for a
• Cbablbs MoKnoHT was the eon of » Pieilqrteriaii elngjman in IraUod, ud is lappofed
to hmrt oomo to this oonntiy ftboni the yeix 1740. He waa taken under the eare of the Kev
Bmnswiek Presbytery, Jnne 28, 1741, and was probably lioensed before the dose of that year*
Having reoeiyed oalls fitom both Staten Island and Basking Ridge, he was ordained, Oetober 1%
1742. In May, 1744, he was oalled to the united eongregations of Cranbeny and AUentowi^
and was instiuled, at the latter place, as pastor of these two ohurehes, on the 19th of July fol-
lowing. In 174S, his pastoral relation to AUentown was dissolred, and he beoame the pastor ef
Oranberry alone. Here he remained till Oetober, 1766, when he requested to be liberated ft^
the pastml ohaiwe of Cranbernr, which the Presbytenr aooordingly granted, as the state of his
health was deemM insulBoient for the fViIl dlseharge of his duties, where he laboured duiiM
the eight or ten fbllowing yean, does not appear— possibly his health was too inSrm to adnli
of nis accepting a pastoraicnarge. About l7o7, he became the pastor of the united neighbour-
ing eongregations of Shrewsbury, Ifiddletown, and Shark Riyer, and remained In this ehamA
about nine /ears. On account oi his warm sympathy with the oanse of American Indapsna-
enee, and the aotlye part which his sons took In the oontest, he wu imprisoned by the Bmin,
and subjeeted to the most barbarous treatment. He died, soon alter his release, Januaiy I,
177S. He left two sons— HicArirtf, who held a oommission as Oaptain In the Ameiicah anm
and became one of the *' prison sUp martyrs,*' at tb6 mo of twenty-flye; and CharUi, who
was a Bmgeon In the Reyolution, snd was afterwards dfitbgulshed as a snnidal and medktol
pnetitloner in the dty of Kew Tgrk^ Mr. McKnight was a member of the Board of I^nistaif
of the College of New J«n^ from 1757 tm his deatL
IIQ PRESBTTERIAK.
share of his tender remembranoee, as he iras on his waj through the dark
yallej. With his last breath he exolaimed — *'My work is done— Oh to be
in Heaven, to pralae and glorify Qod with his holy angela !"
The funeral of Mr. Brainerd, at which Mr. Edwards preached, was an occa-
sion of the deepest interest to the inhabitants, not only of Northampton, bat
of the whole sorrounding conntry. His mortid remuns repose in the burying
pVuse at Northampton, and the spot is hallowed to the hearts of thousands
by the most gratdul associations. The stranger who only passes through
the town, is often heard inquiring the way to "Brainerd's grave;" and
many a Christian, and many a minister, whose home is on the other side of
the ocean, has stood over the spot with tender and sublime emotions, and
with a moistened eye. It is within the last few years that, on some public
occasion at Northampton, which called together a large number of ministers,
• clerical procession walked early in the morning into the grave-yard, to
visit this hallowed spot, and, as they stood over it, they offered up thanks-
giving to his Ood and their Ood, for having made him what he was, and
supplications that the remembrance of his example might cheer them onward
in their labours, and assist them to win the immortal crown.
The following is an extract from the Sermon preached at Brainerd's
funeral: —
" Hit ooDvietionB of stn, precedhtg his first consolsiions in Christ, (as appears bv a
written acooimt he has left of his inward ezerdBes and experiences,) were exceeding
deep and thorough: his trouble and exercise of mind, through a sense of gnilt and
misery, very great and long continned, hut yet sound and solid; consisting in no
unsteady, violent and unaeconnta^le hurries and frights, and strsnge perturbations of
mind: but ariring fl*om the most serious consideration and proper Illumination of the
conBcienoe tp discern and consider the true state of things. And the light lot into his
mind at conversion, and the influences and exercises that hia mind was subject to at
tliat thne, q;>pear yeiy agreeable to resson and the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the diange
verv great and remarkable without any appearance of strong impressions on the imsgi-
natlon, sudden fUaiits and pangs of the aflRiCtions, and vehement emotions in animal
nature; but attended with proper intellectual views of the supreme glory of the Divine
Being, oonsistfaig in the infinite dignity and beauty of the peribctlons of his nature,
and of the transcendent excellency of the way of aalvation by Christ. This was about
eight years ago, when he was about twenty-one years of age.
^' Thus 66d lanctified and made meet fbr his use that vessel that he intended to
mske eminently a vessel of honour in his house, and which he had made of large capa-
city, having endowed him with very uncommon abilities and gifts 'of nature. He was
a singular instance of a ready invention, natural eloquence, easy fiowing expression,
sprightly apprehension, quick discerning, and a veir strong memory; and yet of a
very penetrating genius, dose and dear thought, and pierdng Judgment. He had an
exact taste. His understanding was (if I may so express it; of a quick, strong and
distinguishing scent.
'' His learnmg was very considerable. He had a great taste fbr leandng. and apt>lied
Umself to his studies in so dose a manner, when he was at College, that he much
injured his heslth, and was obliged, on that account, for a while, to leave the College,
throw by his studies, snd return home. He wssesteemed one that exceUedhi learning
in that Sodety.
"Me had an extraordinary knowledge of men, as well as things; had a great faislffht
Into humsn nature, and excelled most that ever I knew in a communicative fkcuuy.
He had a peculiar talent at accommodathig himself to the c^Mudties, tempers, and
circumstances of those that he would bstruct or counsel.
" He had extracmiinary gifts for the pulpit. I never had opportuni^ to hear him
preadi, but have often hes^ him pray. And I think his manner of addressing him-
self to God, and expresring himself befbre Him, hi that duty, almost inbnitable : such
(So fbr as I may Judge) as I have verv rarely known equalled. He expressed hmisdf
with that exact propriety and pertinency, in such signiflcsnt, w^gfaty^ mmgent
expressions, with that decent appearance of sfaicerity, reverence, and solemnity, snd
peat distaacs fVom all aflbctatlon, as fbrastting the presence of men, and as being in
Jjffi immediate presence of a great and hol^ God, tiiat I have scsrcdy ever known
parallded. And his manner of preadihig, by what I have often heard of it fWxn good
judges, was no less excellent; befaig desr and instructive, natural, nervous, fytSM
DAVID BRADnSRD. ;i27
and morbg, tnd Tery warchiDg and oooyinclng. He oanseated an aflteted qoisineM
and Tiolent boisteroasneM in the pnlpit; and yet mnch diireliahed a flat, Cold
delifeiy, when the subject of disoonne and matter delivered zeqairod alTeotioir and
'' Not only had he excellent talents for the study and the pulpit, but also for con-
Tersation. He was of a sociable disposition . and was remarkably free , entertaining and
profitable in his ordinary discourse, and had much of a faculty of disputing, defendbg
truth, and oonfutins error.
" As he excelled m his indsment, and knowled^ of things in general, so especially
in Divinity. He was truly, for one in bis standing, an extraordinary divhie. But,
aboTe all, in matters relating to experimental religion. In this, I know I have the
concurring opinion of some that have had a name for persons of the best Judgment.
And, according to what ability I baye to Judge of things of this nature, and according
to my opportunities which, uf late, have been very great, I never knew his equal., of his
age and standing, for clear, accurate notions of the nature and essence of true religion>
and its distinctions Arom its various ftlse appearances; which I suppose to bo owing to
these three things mooting together in him ,— -the strength of his natural genius, and
the great opportunities he had of observations of others, in various parts, ooth white
people and Indians, and bis own great experience.
" His experiences of the holy influences of God's Spirit were not only great, at his
first conversion, but they were so, in a contbiued course, from that time forward; as
appears hj a record or private Journal he kept of his daily inward exercises, fh>m the
time of his conversion until he was disabled bv the failing of his strength, a few days
before his death. The change which he looked upon as his conversion, was not only a
great change of the present views, afibctions, and fhime of his mind, but was evidently
the beginning of that work of Grod on his heart, which God carried on hi a very won-
derfbl manner, Arom that time to his dying day. He greatly abhorred the way of su^
as live on their first work, as thou^^ they had now got through their work, and are
thenceforward, by degrees, settled in a cold, lifbless, negligent, worldly frame. He had
an ill opinion of such persons' religion."
JOHN BLAIR *
1742—1771.
John Blair was born in Ireland in ihe year 1720. He was a younger
brother of the Rev. Samuel Blair, and like him was an alumnoa of the Log
OoUege, and a papU of the elder William Tennent. He waa licensed to
preach by the New Side Presbytery of Newcastle, and was ordained,
December 27, 1742, pastor of Middle Spring, Bocky Spring, and Big
Spring, in Cumberland Ooonty, Pa. Baring his ministi'y here, he made two
Tisits to Yirginia, — the last in 1746, — preaching with great power in Tarions
places, organising several new congregations, and leaving aq enduring
impression of his piety and eloquence. As he had his residence in a
frontier settlement, exposed to the hostile incursions of the Indians, he
found it necessary, after a wlule, to retreat into the more populous and civ-
ilised part of the Colony. Accordingly, he resigned his pastoral charge oi|
the 28th of December, 1748 ; and he seems to have remuned without a
settlement till 1767, when he accepted a call from the church at Fagg'«
Manor, which had been rendered vacant by the death of hb brother. Here
he continued nearly ten years; and succeeded his brother not only as pas^
tor of the church, but as head of the school which his brother had estab*
lished. In this latter capadty, he assisted in the preparation of many
young men for the ministry.
• Hift. Log CoU.— W«bi««r*s 1188,
1X8 PBESBTTERIAK.
As New Jersey OoUege wa« origiiudly founded for tbe speoifio purpose of
trumng young men for tfie saored office, the cliuuical and theologi(»l schools,
boih at Neshaminy and Nottingham, were given up, after the OoUegO had
gone into operation; though the latter school was continued until Dr. Fin-
ley was chosen President of the College. In 1767, shortly after Dr. Fin-
ley's 4eath, — a sum of money having been left for the support of the Pro-
fe^or of Divinity in Nassau Hall, Mr. Blair was elected to that Professorship.
He accepted the appointment and removed to Princeton. He was abo
appointed Yioe President of the College, and was its acting President, until
Dr. Witherspoon, who had been previously appoiuted to the Presidency,
arrived to enter on the duties of his office.
As the funds of the College proved inadequate to the support of a Theo-
logical Professor, and as Dr. Witherspoon was both able and willing to
discharge the duties of that office, in connection with those of the Preu-
deucy, it was deemed expedient that a distinct Professorship of Divinity
should not be continued. Accordingly, Mr. Blair resigned his office as
Professor, in 1769, and accepted a call from the Presbyterian congregation
of Walkill, Orange County, N. Y., on the 19th of May of that year.
Here he continued his labours as a pastor, until his death, which occurred
on the 8th of December, 1771. when he was about fifty-one years of age.
During the excitement growing out of the question concerning the exam-
ination of candidates on their experience of saving grace, one of the Old
Side published *' Thoughts on the examination and trials of candidates."
On this pamphlet Mr. Blair published " Animadversions," dated " Fagg's
Manor, August 27, 1766. He published also a Sermon entitled ** The new
Creature delineated," 1767 ; a Beply to Harker's* Appeal to the Christian
world, entitled " The Synod of New York and Philadelphia vindicated ;" a
Treatise on Begeneration, which is thoroughly Calvinistic, and marked by
no inconsiderable ability ; and a Treatise on the Scriptural Terms of admis-
sion to the Lord's Supper, — ^in which he maintains that ministers and church
officers have no more authority to debar those who desire to attend, from
the Lord's table, than from any other duty of Gbd's worship. This latter
Treatise was republished in a small selection of Treatises on the Lord's Sup-
per, by the late Bev. Dr. J. P. Wilson of Philadelphia.
. The following testimony in respect to the character of Mr. Blair is from
a ihiter in the Assembly's Magazine : —
•BAvmiL Harkbs (or Biaremir ta th« nuM b lometimes ipelt In th« New Bramwlok
Seoordfy) b lappoMd to hftye been of Hngaenot oxtnotion. He wis taken under the eare of
the New Bmnewiok Preebytery. Deeember 6, 1749: was lieenaed to preaoh Norember 6, 1761 ;
and WM ordained at Eozbnry, Morria Goonty, N. J., Ootober 81, 1762. In Ootober, 1767, tbe
Pk«ebjtei7 heard that he had imbibed and wm propMating eertain erroneoni doetrinei^ and
wore about to prooeedagainit him^ when th^ leamea that he had left his oharge, and gone asa
Captain in the anny. In May fbUowing, they brought the matter before the Synod, who
appointed a eommittee " to deal with him as shall appear to them most suitable for um oouYie-
tton.*> The result was that the eommittee were satisfied that his sentiments were not essen-
tiaUj wrong* thouch thej were ineautionslj expressed, yeiging somewhat towards Arminian-
iim ; but thej oouid not oouTinee him that eren his mode of expwssion was not entirely eoneet.
The Synod appointed another eommittee to oonfer with him, but no satisfhotion was obtained brr
the oonferenoe. Haying eommitted his yiews to writing, he asked the Synod, in 1761, to read
the paper he had prepared, whioh they reAised to do, at the same time ezpresring their disap-
probation of some of his opinions. He published, shortly after this, what he hacTwritten. and,
Caldwell of Lamington, who, dying early, left her with an inlhnt, who beeame the Bey. Dr.
Joseph Galdwen, President of the Uniyersity of North Carolina. Another dani^ter married
Judge Symmes of Marietta, Ohio.
. JOHK BLAIB. 119
" He was a Jadteloaa and peraaasfTe preacher, and through hfs exertions sinners
were conyerted and the children of God edified. Fully convinced of the truth of the
doctrines of grace, he addressed Immortal souls with that warmth and power which
left a witness in every bosom. Though he sometimes wrote his sermons in ftiU. yet
his common mode of preaching was by short notes, comprising the general outlines.
His labours were too abundant to admit of more; and no more was necessary to a
mind so richly stored with the great truths of religion. For his large family he
amassed no fortune; but ho left tliem what was infinitely better,— a religious educa-
tion, a holy example, and prayers which have been remarkably answered. His dispo-
sftion was uncommonly patient, placid, benevolent, disinterested and cheerftd. ae
was too mild to indulge oitterness or severity ; and he thought that the truth required
little else but to be fairly stated and properly understood. Those who could not relish
the savour of his piety, loved him as an amiable, and revered him as a great, man.
Though no bigot, ne firmly believed that the Presbyterian form of government is most
scriptural, and the moQt nvoursble to relinon and happiness.
"In his last sickness, ho iuiparied his advice to the congreeation, and represented
to his Aimily the necessity of au interest iu Christ. A fow nights before he died, ho
said,—' Directly I am going to glory— my Master calls me, I must be gone.' "
Dr. Alexander expresses the opinion that Mr. Blair, *' as a theologian,
was not inferior to any man in the Presbyterian Church in his day."
Mr. Blur was married to a daughter of John Porborrow of Philadel-
phia. He had one sou, John Durbiirrow, who is elsewhere noticed in this
work, and another, William Lawrence, who was graduated at Princeton,
became a lawyer, and settled in Kentucky. His daughter, Eehecca^ became
the wife of the Rer. Dr. William Linn, of the Reformed Dutch Ghoroh in
the city of New York.
CHARLES BEATTY *
1742—1772.
Chablss Bsattt was bom in the County of Antrim, Ireland, about the
year 1715. His father, John Beatty, was also a natiye of Ireland, of the
Scotoh-Irish stock, and was an officer in the British army. His mother,
whose maiden name was Christiana Clinton, was of English descent, — the
&mily having removed from England to the County of Longford, during
the great rebellion, in consequence of being attached to the Royalists. She
was a sister of Charles Clinton, the father of George Clinton, who was
sucoessively General in the army of the Revolution, Governor of the State
of New York, and Yioe President of the United States. Having lost his
father at an early age, his mother, with her brother Charles and several
other relatives and friends, resolved to find a home in America. They were
Presbyterians, and it is said that they were influenced in their emigration
by religious considerations. They embarked for Philadelphia in the latter
end of May, 1720, but, owing to some adverse circumstances, did not
arrive until the month of October, when they were landed at Cape Cod.
For several days before ihey landed, they were reduced to half a biscuit,
and half a pint of water, for twenty-four hours. Several of the passengers,
and among them a sister of the subjeot of this sketch, perished from famine.
It was supposed that the Captain had been bribed thus to subject them to
privation and hardship, with a view to discourage emigration. Cape Cbd
was the first land they discovered on the American coast, and there thej
• lOllw's Life of llodgmw.— Pnib. Mag., n.-€mitb's Old Recbtone.— Webft«r'i MB8.^
lis. fiom Rey. ChMrles BuMf, B. D.
120 PBESBTTBRIAN.
ptevailed on tho Oaptain, by offering him a pretty large peooiiiarj eonnder-
atioD, to land ihenu
Young Beaity, before leaving bis native eonntry, bad enjoyed tbe adyan-
tagea of a good olaasical scbool, and bad aoqaired a rery oompetent know-
ledge of the languages. He had also bad tbe benefit of an excellent
religious trabing, under whiob be bad become established in the ways of
yirtue and piety. And be was withal yery respectably connected. But be
was far from being rich in this world's goods. He was a merchant on a
very humble scale, and used sometimes to carry bis goods for sale about the
oOuntry« On one of these excursions, be stopped at the Log College, then
under the care of the elder William Tennent. In tbe course of the conrer^
sation, Mr. Tennent dbcovered, much to his surprise, that tbe young man
was well acquainted with Latin, besides having otherwise a good education;
and when, in addition to this, be found that he manifested a spirit of fer-
vent piety, and a good degree of religious knowledge, be proposed to him
to quit Uie employment in which be was engaged, and enter on a course
of study preparatory to tbe ministry. Tbe advice, thus given, was duly
heeded; and young Beatty, having disposed of bis articles of merchandise,
returned to tbe Log College, and prosecuted bis studies under the venera-
ble man who bad thus interested himself in bis behalf, and whom be after-
,wards succeeded in tbe pastoral office.
At tbe time be commenced bis studies, tbe Presbyterian Church was agi-
tated by tbe differences respecting tbe examination of candidates on experi-
mental religion, and some other matters, which resulted in tbe division of
the body. Tbe influence of tbe Log College was aU on tbe strict side.
Mr. Tennent's great object was to promote tbe purity of tbe Church, and
to form a spuritual and earnest ministry; and Mr. Beatty synpatbised fully
with the spirit and aims of bis revered instruoter.
He was licensed to preach tbe Gospel on tbe ISA of October, 1742, by
4be Presbytery of New Brunswick, which took the lead on the New Side,
and which bad withdrawn from the Synod two years before. He was sent
first to preach at Nottingham ; but as Mr. Tennent's increasing infirmities
led him, about this time, to seek a release from his pastoral charge, Mr.
Beatty was called to succeed him, at tbe Forks of Nesbaminy, on the 26tb
of May, 1748 ; and was ordained and installed there on die 14tb of Decem-
ber following, — on which occasion Qilbert Tennent preached, and his fiither
sat in Presbytery for tbe last time.
Mr. Beatty's labours at Nesbaminy commenced under somewhat inauspi-
cious circumstances. To a portion of the church Mr. Tennent's ministry,
as well as the not infrequent services of bis sealous friends, bad become
distasteful ; while Mr. McHenry* of Philadelphia, who had been for several
years employed as an occasionid assistant to Mr. Tennent, and whose views
on some of tbe great questions of the day seem to have differed materially
from his, had become a favourite with them. From this portion of tbe
church, as well as from the church at Deep Run, Mr. M. received a call,
and was installed as pastor of tbe two churches, March 16, 1748. Though
• Vbasou MoHaMBT emimtad from IrdAiid to this ooimtiy. He appoMod beftnre the PUI-
«Mpliiik Pieibytery, NoTeinber 10, 1787, with reeomiiMiidalloiii flom the MoDagfaait Ptee-
hjUaj la IrelMid, and was examined and Uoemcd on the aame daj. In ICaj, ITiS, he waa
eaUed to the ehvroh at Nottincham, hot, thoogh he lapplled them for a leaiOB, he dedbed
<ihidir MU. In the ipring of IToO, he ipent el|^t weeka aa a mlwlonaiy In Viiginin. Hedied
html*
CHARLES BEATTT. 121
tiiiB state of things oonld not bave been otherwise than embarrassing and
painful to Mr. Beatty, he seems to have met it with great pmdenoe and
dignity, and his labonrs, then as well as afterwards, were attended with a
manifest blessing.
Mr. Beatty possessed a large measure of the missionary spirit, and sym^
pathised most freely with David Brainerd in his efforts to eyangelize the
Indians. When Brainerd yisited Philadelphia in 1745, to confer with the
Governor on business connected with hb mission, President Edwards says —
**In his journey to and from thence, he lodged with Mr. Beatty, a yoimg
Presbyterian minister. He speaks of seasons of sweet spiritual refresh-
ment, which he enjoyed at his lodgings." In June, 1745, there occurred
a memorable Communion season at Mr. Beatty's church, in which Brainerd
participated, and of which he has left in his journal a minute and highly
interesting record. When Brainerd's health failed in 1746, and ho was
about to leave New Jersey, Mr. Beatty was one of the friends who came to
bid him farewell.
Mr. Beatty was a punctual attendant on the judicatories of the church.
He attended the first meeting of the Synod of New York, at Elisabeth-
town, in 1745, when Jonathan Dickinson was chosen Moderator, and the
first meeting of the united Synods of Philadelphia and New York, at Phil-
delphia, in 1758, of which Gilbert Tennent was Moderator. His name is
omitted on the Synodical Becords, only in the years 1760-61 and 1768-69,
when he was in England, or elsewhere engaged in public services.
On the 24th of June, 1746, he was married to Anne, daughter of John
Beading, President of the Oouncil of New Jersey, and afterwards Governor
of the Province.
In 1754, he was appointed, with Mr. Bostwick and others, to make a
missionary tour of three months in Yirginia and North Carolina. He ful-
filled this appointment, and reported accordingly to the Synod at their next
meeting.
In 1755, — ^having been invited to become Chaplain, for a season, to the
Pennsylvania troops that were about to be sent under the command of Dr.
Franklin, to defend the North-western frontiers of the State, after the
burning of the Moravian missionaries at Guandenhuetten, near Lehighton, —
he asked the Synod's advice on the subject, and they decided in fi^vour of
his acceptance of the invitation, and at the same time appointed a supply
for his pulpit during his absence. In respect to that campaign, Franklin
makes the following rather amusing record : —
" Wo had fbr onr ChaplalQ a sealoas PresbTterian xninlBter, Mr. Beatty, who oom-
plafned to me that the men did not generally attend bis prayers and exhortations.
When ihev enlisted, they were promised, besides pay and proyisions, a gill of mm a
day, which was pnnctuiulv served ont to them, half in the morning and half in the
evening; and I observed they were punctual in attending to receive it: upon which I
said to Mr. Beatty—* It is perhaps below the dignity of vour profession to act as
steward of the mm; but if you were to distribute it out only Just sfter prayers, yon
would have them aU about you.' He liked the thought, undertook the task, and with
the help of a few hands to measure out the liquor, executed it to satisfaction, and
never were prayers more generally and more punctually attended. So that I think
this method preferable to the punishment Inflicted by some military laws for non-
attendance on Divine service.
After the union of the two Synods, in 1768, measures were taken to
establish " the fund for the relief of poor Presbyterian ministers, and mm-
isters' widows and their children." Mr. Beatty was placed on the oommitr
tee to digest apian for its regulation and management, — ^the other members
Vol. IU. 16
122 FBSSBTTEBIAK.
being Dr. Aliaon, Qilbert Tenneni, Suniiel Finley, and Jolin Blair. In
1760, he was appointed by the Synod to go to England to solioit eontribn-
tions in aid of this fund. He was very snccessM in ezeoutbg the oom-
misaion. He witnessed the coronation of George III., was presented at
Oonrt, and received a handsome donation from his Majesty for the fand.
He visited Holland before his return.
In 1763, he was commissioned, with the Rev. John Brainerd, by the
Synod, to take a missionary tour into the destitute frontier settlements.
But the Indian war breaking out in Western Pennsylvania about that time
prevented him from fulfilling the appointment.
In 1764, he was chosen Moderator of the Synod, and opened its next
meeting with a Sermon from Titus iii. 8.
In 1766, the Synod again took up the subject of sending a mission to
explore the frontier settlements, and to ascertain the condition of the Indian
tribes. Messrs. Beatty and Duffield were appointed on the expedi^on.
Mr. Beatty left Philadelphia on the 12th of August, 1766, and on the 4th
day reiached Carlisle, where Mr. Duffield was settled. It was then arranged
that Mr. Beatty should go and preach to the destitute settlements on the
Juniata, whilst Mr. Duffield should explore Path Valley, Fanet, and the
Oove. They met on the 29th at Fort Littleton, and then proceeded to
Pittsburg, where they arrived on the 6th of September. After remaining
here a few days, and preaching with considerable effect, they passed on to
the Indian town called Eighalampegha on the Muskingum, where the Chief
of the Delaware tribe lived. They set out on their return on the 24th of
September, and Mr. Beatty reached Neshaminy on the 16th of the next
month. At the next meeting of the Synod, they report that
*' They performed their mission to the frontiers and among the Indians,— that they
fonnd on the frontiers numbers of people earnestly desirons of fbnning themselves into
congregations, and dcdaring their willingness to exert their utmost in order to have the
G^ospel among them, but m drcamstances exceedingly distressing and necessitous,
trcm the late calamities of the war in these parts: that they yisited the Indians at the
chief town of the Delaware nation, on the Muskingum, about one hundred and thirty
miles bevond Fort Pitt, and were received much more cheerAitly than they could have
expected,— that a considerable number of them waited on the preaching of the Grospel
with peculiar attention, many of them appearing solemnly concerned ai>out the great
matters of religion , —-that they expressed an earnest desire of having Airther opportu-
nities of hearing those things,— -that they informed them that several other tribes of
Indians around them were ready to Join with them in receiving the Gospel, and
earnestly desiring an opportunity— upon the whole, that there does appear a very
agreeable prospect of a door opening for the Gospel being spread among those poor
benighted savage tribes."
In the autumn of 1767, Mr. Beatty crossed the ocean, a second time,
with a view to obtain the best medioal aid in the case of his wife, who
was afflicted with a cancer. She, however, died at Qreenock, to which port
the vessel was bound, — shortly after their arrival.
Mr. Beatty's last public service was in behalf of the College of New
Jersey. He had been appointed one of its Trustees in 1768, and had ever
evinced a deep interest in its welfare. The College being greatly in need
of funds, he consented to visit the West Indies in its behalf; but soon after
reaching the Island of Baarbadoes, he took the yellow fever, which almost
immediately terminated his life. He died at Bridgeton, on the 18th of
August, 1772.
Mr. Beatty published a Sermon entitled ** Double honour due to the
laborious Qospel minister," preached at the ordination of the Rev. William
GHABLES BEATTT. 123
Bainsej,* 1756; the Journal of a two monthB tour among the frontier
inhabitants of Pennsylvania, 1768 ; a Letter to the Bey. John Erakine,
D. D., in which the theory that the Indians are the descendants of the Ten
Tribes is maintuned by a variety of arguments ; and Further Beibarks
respecting Indian affairs, containing an historical account of what has been
done for the Indians in America.
Mr. Beatty was the father of eleven children, eight of whom reached
mature life. His four elder sons served their country in the army of the
Bevolutiun. John was graduated at Princeton in 1772, and studied medi-
cine, but, early in the war, raised a company, was taken prisoner at Fort
Lee, and, after his exchange, succeeded Dr. Boudinot as Commissary Gene-
ral of Prisoners. Ho resided principally at Trenton, N. J., where he was
a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was a member of Congress
from 1783 to 1785, and from 1798 to 1795. He died in May 1826.
Charles ClijUon^ the second son, was graduated at Princeton in 1775, and,
instead of entering the ministry, as he had intended, entered the army, and
was accidentally shot by a brother officer in October, 1776. Readings the
third son, was studying medicine with his eldest brother, when the war
commenced, and received an Ensign's commission in his brother's company.
He was taken prisoner at Fort Lee, and, during two years' captivity, con-
tinued his studies, and afterwards was Surgeon till tiie close of the war;
He was, for many years, an elder in the church at Newtown, Pa., and died
in October, 1881. Erkuriti^ the fourth son, was preparing for College
when the war broke out, and he immediately entered the army, in which
he continued till 1793. He was in many engagements, and was severely
wounded at Gkrmantown. He afterwards resided at Princeton, N. J., where
he died February 8, 1823. The Bev. Charles C. Beatty, D. D. of Steu-
benville, 0., is his son, and only living descendant. Mr. Beatty's fifth
son, George^ entered the navy, and was lost at sea.
FBOM THE BEY. GHABLES G. BEATTY, D. D.
SnuBBHviLLi, Ohio, February 21, 1867.
Dear Brother: As my grandfather has been dead nearly a hundred years, the
knowledge that I have concerning him is chiefly traditional. Accounts agree
in representing him as a minister of great activity, enterprise, and Industry, both
in his own congregation, and as a missionary through the churches; often visit
ing and preaching in distant vacant places, and bringing their cases before the
judicatories of the Church. Ue seems to have been a very constant attendant
on these judicatories, and to have been appointed on many and important com-
mittees. Almost always was he on the committee on the College of New Jersey;
• William Ravibt wm the fon of James Ramaey,— mi ezoeUent man, who emigrated fttmi
IreUud: and a brother of Dr. DaTid Bamiey of Soath Carolina, the dlstingnisbed historian.
He was bom in Laneaeter County, Pa. j was gradnated at the CoUege of New Joraey in 1764 1
and, while preparing for the mlnistnr, was selected as a suitable person to unite the oongrega-
thm in Fairfield, N. J., then in a df?lded state. From oonsiderations of expedient, boiuuig
on the peooliar state of the oongregation, he went to Conneetiont, and was lioensed by the
AMOoiation of the Bastem distriot of Fairfield County. Ho was reoeired by the AUngton Ftes-
^yteiy. May 11, 1766, and was ordained and insUUed at Fairfield, on the 1st of Deoember fbl
^ im Mf cHNMu fjvmij vt \/vunuji/. uo uiea i.^oTomner o, iYfi,agea uiny-
Dine ; and a glowing Bnlogr was pronounoed upon him by his brother-in-law. Dr. Jonathan
Elmer, which was pnblishM. The insoription upon his monument is — ** BeneaUi this stone lie
interred the remains of the Rer. William Ramsey, M. A., for sixteen years a iUthnil pastor of
the Presbyterian Chursh in this place, whose superior genius and natlTC eloquenoe shone so
eonspionously in the pulpit, as to command the attention and gain the esteem of all his beareit*
In erexy situation of life ho disehflrged his duty faithfoUy. He Uved gieatly lespeotod, m4
died nnirersally lamented.''
124 PBESBTTKBIAV.
on the misflions to the bidiuis; on the firnds of the Chnieh; and other Tuknit
bosineesy— «s eppeara from the Beoorde of Synod. The esteem in whidi he was
held by his brethien for leal, fidelity, and ability> appears from lus being
entrusted with the most important and delicate interests of the Ohorch.
He was a warm friend of his country and its liberties, and being also of a mar-
tial spirit, which he inherited i|t>m his iather, and communicated to his children,
he was their appointed Chaplain to the ProTindal forces raised for the delbnoe
of the ftx>ntiers. On one of these occasions, the following incident is said to haye
occurred : — ^A recruiting of&cer had been sent to his neighbourhood. After some
time, Mr. Beatty met him, and asked after his success— when he was informed
that he was greatly discouraged, as yery few seemed willing to engage for the
serrioe. I am sorry to hear it, said Mr. Beatty — ^it ought not to be so, — but
what is to be done? Then he asked the officer if he shovdd be at church on the
next day, wluch was the Sabbath, and was answered in the affirmatiye. The
next day, at the dose of the ezerdses, he said to his congregation, — " The
sarages hare attacked the frontier settlements and are murdering our fellow
dtisens. The Goremor has made a call for Tolunteers to march with a Tiew to
resist and driye them bade, but I regret to leam that it is not Tory promptly
met. It is certainly somebody's duty to go; and I have determined, if the
Presbytery allows me, to offer my services as Chaplain, and thus do my part.
Of course it will be very pleasant for me to hare the company of any of the
congregation, or my neighbours, who may feel it their duty to go.*' The result
was that, during the next week, the recruiting officer was able to enrol about a
hundred Tdnnteers fhmi that vidnity. A passport, whidi he recdyed a few
years after, flrom Goyemor Penn of PennsyWania, commences thus : — " Whereas
the Bey. 1^. Charles Beatty hath informed me that he proposes to go on a voy-
age to the West India Idands, in order to solidt benelkctions for a public semi-
nary of learning, in a ndghbouring Proyinoe, and hath requested my passport
and reoommendation--these are to certify that the said Mr. Beatty hath resided
many years in this Province, within a few miles of this dty, and during the last
war, from a spirit of loyalty and love to his country, be exposed himself to great
dangers as a yolunteer, and served in the capadty of Chaplain to the Provincial
forces, and that he is a minister of undoubted reputation for integrity, candour,
and moderation; Now, Ac.*' This wss dated April 14, 1772; and similar lan-
guage is used by Governor Franklin of New Jersey, in a like document.
It is about thirty-five years ago that, after preaching in a small vacant church
in the North part of Budcs County, Pa., — ^having been invited to the house of
an aged member, he made to me the following remarks: — ** The first sermon I
ever heard in America, was from the Bev. Charles Beatty q( Neshaminy-— the
last I have heard, is from his grandson of the same name. I landed at PhiU-
delphia, a youth of twenty years of age, and, having some rdatives in Nesha-
miny, went immediatdy there. The day after my arrival wss the Sabbath, and
I went with my friends to hear Mr. Beatty preach. He was greatly esteemed
by his congregation. When he came into the church, I observed that he
stopped and spoke to several persons on his way to the pulpit, and learned after-
wards that this was his custom, — to enquire where there was sickness, or any
particular droumstanoes, so that he might ofibr prayer for the espedal case. He
was a very livdy and animated speaker, used no notes, and his eye was passing
constantly and searchingly oyer every part of the assembly. It was said that
he could Uius detect at once the absence of any of his congregation, or the pre-
sence of any stranger. Of the latter fkct I had some knowledge: for, imme^
diatdy after the close of the service, he came up to me^ and said,-^*' Toung
man, I perodve you are a stranger in these parts.*' I told him that I had Just
arriyed fh>m Ireland. ** You have done well," said he — *' this is a better country
for you; and if you are indnstrkms, steady, and God-fbaring, you cannot but
GHARLBS BEATTT. ]25
BQOoeed here.'' This wms aboat fifty-fiye years ago^ and I nerer saw him again,-^
haying soon after left that neighboorhood; but I haye not foigotten his manner
and words, and the impression tbej made npon me. Being desiroos of hearing
his grandson, I haye come ont with difficolty, and may neyer hear another ser-
mon. It 80 happened that he never was out again, and died not long after.
Mr. Beatty seems nsoally to haye made his preparations for the pnlpit with*
ont writing, as no manuscript sermons haye been found among his papers; yet
he was one of the most popular preachers of his day, though not probably a pro-
found theologian. The daughter of Dr. Sproat of Philadelphia said that no
minister, who assisted her father, was more uniyersally acceptable than Mr.
Beatty, both to that congregation and to others, and that her father was always
pleased to haye his seryices among them.
Mr. Beatty was particularly desirous that his children should haye the best
education which the times and the country afforded, and his training of them at
home was of the most thorough kind, both intellectual and religious. All ftlt
the impress of his character upon them in their future liyes. At his death, he
left to his children a considerable estate, which was almost entirely eyaporated
in the subsequent depreciation of continental money, so that none of them derived
much benefit from their patrimony.
Very truly and affectionately yours,
GHABLES G. BEATTT.
JAMES SPROAT, D- D *
1748—1798.
Jambs Spboat was born at Scituate, Mass., April 11, 1722. He was
graduated at Yale College in 1741, in the same class with Goyemor William
Liyinggton of New Jersey, Br. Samuel Hopkins of Newport, and Dr. Buell of
Long Island. He entered College, careless of his immortal interests, and
continued so during the greater part of his course; but, some little time before
he graduated, Gilbert Tennent, on his memorable tour through New Eng^
land, yisited New Hayen, and preached in a manner that, by the blessing
of Gk>d, gaye a new direction to hi& thoughts and feelings, and changed the
endre complexion of his life. Tennent was afterwards settled in Philadel-
phia, and Mr. Sproat became his successor. It was a noticeable proyidenoe
that Tennent, in preaching a sermon, in a part of the country remote from
his residence, and to an audience who were all or nearly all strangers to
him, should haye been instrumental of the oonyersion of an indiyidual, who
was destined to enter into his labours, after he had himself entered into his
rest*
Haying gone through the requisite course of preparation for the ministry,
he was licensed to preach, and soon reoeiyed a otJl to settle in the Fourth
Congregational Church in Ghdlford, Conn. He accepted the call, and was
ordained August 28, 1748. Here he laboured with great leal, popularity,
and suooess, for about twenty-fiye years. After the death of Mr. Tennenti
the ohureh in Philadelphia, of whioh he had been pastor, — as has been
• Qraon>8 Fim. torn.— AM«mb. Mim. Mag. I.^AUtaf Biog. DUL-^lUtm. Hiit. ColL
Z.— OrighMl Lettan end Diaiy of ^. Bproat.
126 PRESBTTEEIAK.
already intimated,— directed their attention towards Mr Sproat, as a anit-
able person to be his suooessor ; and, aeoordinglj, in October, 1768, he
resigned his charge at Qnilford, and, shortly after, was installed oyer the
ohnroh to which ho had been called. He continued sole pastor till 1787,
when he was relieved from a portion of his labours by the settlement of Mr.
(afterwards Dr.) Ashbel Green.
In 1780, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by
the College of New Jersey.
The year 1798 was signalized by the prevalence of the yellow fever in
Philadelphia, in its most malignant form, and to an appalling extent. The
family of Dr. Sproat was almost annihilated by it. Himself, his wife, hlB
eldest son and his wife, and his youngest daughter, became its rictims.
He remained in the city, ministering to the dying and the afflicted, as far
as his waning strength would permit, until the disease attacked him in all
its virulence. I find among my papers the following letter to his son JbAn,
who was then absent from home, dated "Friday, October 11th, one o'clock
p. M." — just one week before his own death. From a postscript added by
his daughter, it appears that the fever was upon him at that time.
"Dear John: Your poor old trembling father must be the sorrowful
messenger of grief upon grief to you. Your brother William is no more —
he departed this life about ten o'clock this morning, I trust for a better.
I was there when he died. I shall attend his remains to his lonely house,
the grave, at six o'clock. Your sister Olive has been with him all the time
of his sickness, night and day. Poor creature, — God has hitherto supported
her, and I pray He may still. Maria, very sick, knows not of her husband's
death : there are some hopes of her. Your mother, exceedingly feeble, has
not been able to see her son. I am so myself, but have seen him twice a
day. His child is at our house with a nurse. We are all dying in the city
daily. The Lord prepare us. Oh, my son, you have often heard the neces-
sity of repentance towards God, and faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, now, it is abundantly necessary. Oh, pray for it ; turn all your
attention to it. What is the world and all the things in it, to an interest
in Christ and his great salvation ! The Lord have mercy on you all. Pray,
pray for yourself, and pray for us. You'll stay where you are, and may
God preserve you. James Spboat."
On the 23d of August preceding the date of this letter, he completed half
a century as an ordained minister; and, from that period, he had seemed to
bo living in constant expectation of death, and a large portion of his waking
hours were spent in private devotional exercises. His domestic afflictions,
severe as they were, he endured without the least repining. At the funeral
of his son, whose death is referred to in the above letter, he evinced the
very sublimity of Christian mourning. Tremblmg with age, with disease
already fastened upon him, he followed the corpse of his beloved son to the
grave, and, after it was deposited, leaning on his staff, he pronounced only
these words, — " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be
the name of the Lord, Amen." His own death took place on the 18th of
October, 1798, in the seventy-second year of his age. He continued m
possession of his mental faculties to the last. After he had lost the power
of speech, he was asked if he still experienced the sustaining influences of the
Gospel, and he answered affirmatively, by lifting up his hand and his eyes
to Heaven.
JAMBS SPBOAT. 127
Thore were the moat substantial demonstrations of grief in oonneotion
with his foneral. Tho more common mode of oonveying a corpse to the
grave, daring the ravages of the pestilence, was on a cart, — sometimes on a
hearse ; and the attendants consisted only of tho person who drove the car-
riage, the grave digger, and, in a few instances, two or three mourning
friends. But, in the case of Dr. Sproat, the people who had met at the
church for prayer, formed a procession of about fifty persons, and some pious
negroes voluntarily offered to carry the bier.
Pr. Sproat's colleague, Dr. G-reen, was absent from the city at the time
of his death ; but, immediately on hb return, he preached a Funeral Sermon,
from Psalm cxvi. 15, which was published.
Dr. Qreen, in the sermon above referred to, thus describes the character
of his venerable colleague : —
" In his natural temper, he naed often to tell me that he was easily susceptible of
passion. If it was so. it is certain that, Uke the sage of antiquitv,* he loiu remarkabh
for kU victory over u, and for those virtues which are its opposites. Patience, mode-
ration, indulgence, and forbearance^ were leading features tn his general character.
Meekness and affection disthiguishea him highly. Not only in the near relations of
husband, &ther, and master, oud they render him most dear and exemplary, but in all
his hitercourse with the world they shone out in tho mildest and most amiable lifpht.
Uis candour, charity, and tenderness appeared on all occasions, and gained him, m a
peculiar degree, the respect and affw'ction of almost all descriptions of persons. He
was free from all disguise. He was ' an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile.'
You saw, at once, the man you would always see. Such a man was peculiarly formed
for lasting friendship and unreserved confidence. They could scarcely be avoided by
one who was ofton with him. Between him and myself, therefore, they subsisted in a
manner which fills me with a moumfhl pleasure to recollect, and the loss of which I
most sensibly realise and deplore. In a coUeriate charge of nearly seven years, not
one cold, or distant, or formal word ever passed between us; not the slightest aliena-
tion interrupted our harmony. On all occasions, he treated me like a father, and like
a father, I can truly say, I loved and honoured him. His usnal appellation in addressing
me was, ' my son •'--and had I been his sou by the ties of nature, as well as in the
bonds of the Gospel, he could scarcely have treated me with more affection, or more
sincerely regarded my interest as his own. «•««••
" In scholastic attainments he was a good proficient. Of tliose which are denomi-
nated the learned languages, he was a considerable master. He loved all the pursuits and
interests of science; and I have heard him lament that his urgent calls to active service
in early life left him so little time to become accurate in some of the departments of
literature.
" In the study of Divinity he had made a progress that was truly great and enviable.
It was his delight, and he pursued it incessantly. A man has seldom been seen, who
had a more complete knowledge or a more fkmlliar acquaintance with the Holy Scrip-
tuxes. His great readiness in quoting and applying them in a pertinent manner, in his
public addresses, you have all observed, and many of you, I trust, will remember as
the means of your spiritual edification. He had made deep researches into systematic,
casuistic and polemic Divinity. On these subjects he read much in some of the last
years of his lijb. * My own sentiments,' said he, ' in regard to the essentiaUi of religion,
I believe, are fixed. But I find much entertainment, aud I thhik some advantage, in
reading books of this description.'
*' In his discourses from the pulpit, he loved to dwell on the ftindamental and pecu-
liar doctrines of the Gospel, which he regarded as a system of pure grace and mercy,
abashig the sinner to the dust, and exalting God in the highest. When the train of his
address led him to speak on the experimental part of religion, he was excellent and
edifying in a singular degree. • • • • His public prayers were remarkable fbr a
vein of piety and fervour seldom equalled. He had a certain copiousness of expres-
sion and engsgedness of manner in this Divine service, which could arise firom no
other source than the familiar intercourse of his own soul with Heaven.
" In his personal religion he was truly eminent. His life and example exhibited a
most amiable view of the infiuence and efficacy of the Gospel principles on the human
heart and character. Unfeigned humility,— that ornament of every other grace, had
become a habit of his soul, and appeared in all his deportment. Having studied Ions
and made great proficiency in the School of Ohrist, he had learned the hard lesson of
•fiocntes.
128 FRESBTTEBIAK.
thinking in a very lowly manner of himself. His charity for others was imoommoaly
extonalTe. It led him to hope the best, where there was any probability on whleh
hope could be founded. His fkith was Wilt on the sure foundations of the Gkiepel,
and it supported him in the most trying hour. In some of his last moments he said,
' All my expectations for eternity rest on the infinite grace otGrod, iJ>oundiiig through
the finished righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.' ''
FROM THOMAS BRADFORD, Esq.
Fhiuldslphia, December 81, 1860.
Rer. and dear Sir : My reminiscences of the Roy. Dr. Sproat, concerning whom
you inquire, have respect to a period when I was quite young, and of course are
not Tery extended; but the little that I do remember concerning him, I am happy
to communicate, in compliance with your request. My parents were both membeni
of his congregation, and my mother a member of his church; and one of my
early recollections of him is his coming to my father's house in the autumn of
1785, to officiate at the baptism of my youngest sister. At that day, it was
common to administer the ordinance in private.
Dr. Sproat, as I remember him, was a venerable looking man. He always wore
the wig and the cocked hat, according to the usage of aged ministers at that
period. He possessed a benevolent countenance; his manners were gentle and
courteous; his speech conciliating and kind, especially towards the youthAil part
of his fiodc, who were attracted to him by his paternal and afibctionate treatment
of them. He was accustomed to hear them say their Catechism; and if any
one was not perfect in his lesson, instead of severely reproving him, he would
gently lay his hand upon lus head and say, — *' Take care, my dear child, and
get your lesson better next time." As the venerable man declined in strength
and vigour, his preaching, of course, lost, in some degree, its interest, and the
junior pastor, Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Ashbel Green, who was then m his early
prime, became, especiaUy to the younger part of the congregation, the chief
object of attraction; and sometimes they even absented themselves fW>m church
in the afternoon, when it was known that Dr. Sproat was to occupy the pulpit.
Some of the Doctor's friends indiscreetly alluded to this circumstance in con-
versation with him, by way of finding &ult; but he mildly, and with the kind-
est spirit, replied, — ** This la natural, and therefore not to be complained of : he
must increase, but I must decrease."
I never knew of Dr. Sproat's publishing more than a single sermon, and that
was one preached on the death of Whitefield, in October, 1770. It is highly
evangelical in its character, and contains a lively and graphic delineation of
Whitefleld's prominent qualities. I will give you a brief extract from it: —
** Being a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, fired with a flaming
leal for his Lord and Master, filled with bowels of tenderness and compassion
to immortal souls, and fiivoured with more than Ciceronian eloqntoce, he soon
became the wonder of the world, as a preacher.
**Aa% speaker, he was f^imished with such admirable talents, with such an
easy method of address, and was such a perfect master of the art of persuasion,
that he triumphed over the passions of the most crowded auditory with all the
charms of sacred doqnenoe.
" Such were the impressions of the Eternal Majesty upon his mind, that he
habitually lived as seeing Him who Is invisible. He lived with a wise reference
to fhturity, and maintained a close walk with God. Prayer was his soul's
delight. • • • Praise was an employment in which his soul waa exceed-
ingly delighted. In this exercise, he often appeared to anticipate the sacred
pleasures of the upper world. His work was done, and we have good reason to
believe it was well done. He lived long enough to perform an excellent part on
this stage of action; to exemplify a life of virtue and piety; to sound the Gospel
tnunpet through almost the whole of the British empire; and to gather in a
JAlfES SPBOAT. 1J29
plentifbl luuTYMt of predous souls to the Redeemer, that shall be as so many
sparkling diamonds in that untarnished crown of glory, which adorns his yictoii
oos brow. He lired Qod's time, which is the best time.''
Regretting my inability to comply more fhlly with your request,
I remain your friend and brother in Christ,
THOMAS BRADFORD.
JOHN ROAN *
1744— 1776,
John Boan was bom in Ireland, about the year 1716, and was brought
up a weayer. He oame to this country in his youth, and studied for some
time at the Log College. He was licensed to preach by the <* New Side *'
Presbytery of Newcastle. As early as 1741, he was engaged in teaching
a grammar school on the Neshaminy ; for Dr. Rodgers of New York (accord-
ing to Dr. Miller) entered his school there that year, and continued in it
sereral years afterwards.
In the winter of 1744, the Presbytery of Newcastle with which llr.
Roan was connected, sent him on a missionary tour to Virginia. He
preached with great effect in Hanover, and the neighbouring counties ; and
many in different places were awakened and hopefully conyerted through
his instrumentality. He was bold, energetic, earnest, but had less of cau-
tion and prudence than the pecuUar circumstances in which he was placed,
required. He inyeighed against the clergy of the Established Church with
great freedom, charging them not only with neglect of their official duties,
but with gross moral delinquencies. His offensiyo statements and scathing
satire quickly attracted the attention of the parish clergy and their friends;
and they resolyed that he should no longer be tolerated. Affidavits were
laid before Oovemor Gooch, representing that this man was not only ear-
nestly engaged in efforts at proselytism, but had actually been guilty of
blasphemy. The matter came before the Grand Jury ; and, after the Gov-
ernor had delivered a vehement charge, they agreed to "present Joha
Roan for reflecting upon and vilifying the Establidied Religion, in divers
sermons, preached at the house of Joshua Morris in James City Parish, ob>
the 7di, 8th, and 9th of January, before a numerous audience unlawfully
assembled." Mr. Roan returned to Pennsylvania', before the meeting of
the Court at which this charge was given. The charge was publbhed„ and
an order forbidding any meetings of ^^ Moravians, Muggletonians, and New
Lights," was issued. The people of Hanover laid the case befbre the
Synod of New York in May, 1746 ; and the Synod sent, by the hands of
Messrs. Gilbert Tennent and Samuel Finley, an address to the Governor.
These gentlemen were very graciously received by His ExoeHenqy, who
rea^y granted them liberty to preach at Hanover. Before their arriVal,
the individual who had been chiefly instromental in inflaming tike govern*
mmt' against Mr. Boan, and who was believed to have done it at the expense
of peijuring himself, had fled never to return. The trial oama «n^on ihe*
• HodgB»i Hist. Pnfh. Gh.— W«tetor>8 MSS.
Vol. m. 17
130 PBBSBTTBBIAK.
19tli of October ; but the niz witnesaes oited by the Attorney G^enera!, fidly
proved that he had tittered none of the expreasionB imputed to him, and the
indiotment was dropped.
In 1745, Mr. Boim was settled oyer the united congregations of Pazton,
Derry, and Hountjoy. The union of the Synods placed him in Donegal
Presbytery, and points of difference continually arose, which admitted of
no concessions. The licensing of a young man by the name of William
Edmeston was a trial of strength. He was a student of Sampson Smith,*
and had been a prominent witness in his defence, — which was any thing else
than a recommendation in the view of Roan ; and, at the close of his ezam«
ination for licensure. Roan expressed his dissatbfaction with what the major-
ity had accepted as evidence of the young man's piety. Edmeston subse-
quently prosecuted Roan for various offences ; the sum of which, however,
was that he was a party and a principal mover in a conspiracy to destroy
Smith by perjured or dishonest witnesses. The trial was protracted ; tri-
vial questions almost without number were asked ; and the whole was appa-
rently a matter of studied annoyance. In 1765, Edmeston appealed to the
Synod, and the Presbytery also referred the case to them, and a large and
respectable committee was appointed to determine the affair. The matter
was finally dropped, and Edmeston went to England for holy orders.
Mr. Roan continued his labours with the congregations over which he
was first placed, during the rest of his life. He informed the Presbytery,
on one occasion, that his congregations were deeply indebted to him ; and
there is also a record of his having been sent as a missionary for eight
weeks, to the South Branch of the Potomac. But the notices of him t^bat
remain are so few and scattered, that they only give us a clue to his charac-
ter and his course.
He died on the 8d of October, 1776, aged fifty-nine years. He lies
buried at Derry, beneath a stone that bears the following inscription : —
** Beneath this stone are deposited the remains of an able and fidthfnl,
courageous and successful minister of Jesus Christ."
* Sampsov Smith eamo from Irdftod. and wm nodTvd bj Donegsl Pntbytery, April S>
1760. His ordlnailon wm reported to the Synod in 176S> Mid in the eprinc of tl»t year, he
■pent eight Babbathe in Ylndnia. He iraa settled at Chestnnt Lerel, and ivas mairied to a
dani^ter dT the Rer. Adam Bojd of Oetorora. Ho taaglht an Aeademji for many yean, with
great sneeeia. The mdon of the Synods plaoed him in eonneetion with the Kew Side ministen s
and a dhairge of intemperanoe being prafeired against him, he regarded them as the movers of
it; while they riawed the Old Side man as determined to dear him, by exdndinc aU the eri-
denda on whiA the proseeotion relied. The resolt was that he was aeqaitled ; and the proseen-
tion appealed to the Synod, who, hj a eommittoe, took np the whole matter ifs aooo, and nlti-
nately Judged that ho was worthy of at least a dome of oensore. Ha withdrew fimn the
Synod I Joined tha Neweastlo Presl^iT in 1766; and was sospended the next /ear, bat was
restored in 1771. The Synod then sent him to the South Braneh of the Potomao for six months,
and the next year for two months. His sospension was renewed in 1774y and was ne?«r
rsBMFed. His death was In eonseqnenoe of behigstnidk by lightning.
[Adam Botb, mentioned abore, was bom at BaUjy-money, Ireland, in 169S. He eame to
New Bnglaad as a probationer about 17S8. He had foimed a purpose to retam to his natlra
eonntiy, and with aTlow to this, had reeelTed from Ootton Mather a oommendatoiy eertifleato,
dated Jane 10, 1734. Haying, howoTer, formed an attaehment to a young lady on this side
the water, ho snbee<|nently ehanged his pupose. and determined to remsdnin thisooontiy. He
was taken andor the oare of the If ewoasUo Presbytery in Joly, 1785, and In September foUow-
Ing reeelfed a eaU from the eongregatlons in Oetorora and Pequea, pa. This eall he aeoepted,
aiM fai Oetober following was oraalned at Oetorora. The Forks of Brandywineeomnosedpartof
his fleld, tiU 1784. In the division of the Presbyterian Ohureh, a lane part of his oounga*
tton went to the Kew Bide, and as Ms own sympathies were with the Old Side, he asked leave
(Angnst, 1741) to aoeept of an invlUtion fdren him by a fraetlon of the Brandywlne Ooagre-
Mtion,whieh adhered to the Old Side, aiS olfoied to pay for half his tfaneTHIs relation to
Ms part of his ehaige was dbsolTed (Teiy Irregulariy aoeording tohls own statement) In 1768.
He died on the 88d of November, 1768. On his tomb-stone is Inscribed— ''Forlirfoar yean
pastor of this shoieh."]
DAym BOSTWiOK. 231
DAVID BOSTWICK *
1746—1768.
Payib Bobtwiok was grandson to John Bostwiok, who was of Sooteh
extraction, but came from Cheshire, England, to Stratford, Conn., about
the year 1668, and subsequently removed, with a numerous family, to New
Milford, of which he was one of the first settlers. The father of David
Bostwick was Major John Bostwick, who was a deacon of the church, and
was elected eighteen times (the elections being then semi-annual) as a
Bepresentative of the town to the (General Assembly of the State. David
was bom at New Milford on the 8th of January, 1721. Dr. Miller, in his
Life of Dr. Bodgers, states that, **at the age of fifteen, he entered Tale
College, and graduated after the usual course of study." As, however, his
name does not appear on the catalogue, it is presumed that this b partly a
mistake : the Hon. David S. Boardman, who is a remote relative of Mr.
Bostwick, after having explored every source of information on the subject,
says, — ** My belief is (and I have very little doubt of its correctness) that he
was, for the greatest part of a college course, a member of Yale College ;
and that he finished his academical, and commenced and probably completed
his theological, course, with a somewhat eminent Scotch scholar and divine
in Southbury, (then part of Woodbury,) by the name of Graham. I am
strengthened in this belief by the fetct of Mr. Bostwick's having marri^ a
Miss Hinman of that place ; with whom he probably became acquainted
while a student." Previous to his engaging in the active duties of the
ministry, he was, for some time, a teacher in an Academy at Newark, N. J.,
under the care of the Bev. (afterwards President) Aaron Burr. On the 9ih
of October, 1746, he was ordained to the work of the ministry, and installed
pastor of the church in Jamaica, L. I. The Sermon on the occasion was
preached by Mr. Burr, and was published. Here Mr. Bostwick remained
more than ten years, in great repute, among not only his own people, but
his brethren in the ministry, and the surrounding churches.
In July, 1766, the First Presbyterian Church in New York, — Shaving
become vacant by the removal of Mr. Cumming and Mr. Pemberton, who
had been colleague pastors, gave a call to Mr. Bostwick, a member of their
own Presbytery, to fill the vacancy. The people of Jamaica, who highly
appreciated his character and services, strongly opposed his removal; and
the church in New York bebg agitated with dissensions, especially on the
subject of Church Psalmody, he was little predisposed to take a step that
should put at hasard his own peace and contort as a minister. The Pres-
bytery, when the call was laid before them, referred the matter to the Synod*
which was to meet in Newark in September following. The Synod
appointed a committee to meet at Jamaica, a few weeks after, that they
might deliberate on the subject under circumstances more favourable to their
arriving at a correct conclusion. At the meeting of the committee, a
memorial was presented from the elders, deacons, and trustees of the church
in New York, earnestly praying that they would not only put the call into
• SmlUi'f Hift. K. T.— Hiner'8 Life of Bodcm.— PnftM to Bortwiok'* «<BatloQia Vina-
Hob/' Ao.— MS. from Hon. D. 8. Bottdmaiu
1^2 PBBSBTTSRIAIt.
lb. Bostwiok's hands, and enoourage him to accept it, but that they would
also take some meaanres for the settlement of the existing oontroYersj in
the congregation respectiDg the nse of Watts' Psalms. The committee,
however, were divided in regard to both the call and the question concern-
ing Psalmody ; and, instead of coming to any decision upon either, they
determined to refer both questions to the regular Commission of Synod,
which they requested the Moderator to conyone without unnecessary loss of
time. The Commission accordingly met at Princeton, on the 14th of April,
1756 ; when the call was put into Mr. Bostwick's hands ; but, as he
declared himself at a loss as to his duty in respect to it, the Commission,
after having heard full representations on the subject from both New Tork
and Jamaica, decided in favour of his removal to Now York. Mr. Bostwick
acquiesced in the decision; and his pastoral relation to the church of
Jamaica was accordingly dissolved. He had previously, during his residence
at Jamaica, rejected several calls from other churches ; and he evidently
went to New York, not without many misgivings and considerable reluc-
tance.
Mr. Bostwick was installed shortly after, and about the same time
removed his family to the city. But though he was unusually popular in
the congregation, tiie controversy in respect to Psalmody was not quieted,
and, after a few months, the brethren who were dissatisfied with the intro-
duction of Watts, withdrew, and formed a distinct church, of which the
Bev. (afterwards Dr.) John Mason became the pastor. This secession left
the congregation in an harmonious state, and rendered Mr. Bostwick's
labours &r more easy and agreeable.
In 1760, Mr. Bostwick was laid aside for some time by ill health. Dr.
Wheelock was then meditating the removal of his Indian School from
Lebanon, and he wrote to Mr. Bostwick to enlist his aid in the* enterprise.
Mr. B. assured him of his good wishes on the subject, and promised him his
aid, if he should ever have health enough to attempt any further labour ;
but he seemed to think that his health and even life were too uncertain to
justify much reliance upon his efforts. After this, however, ho so far
regained his health, as to be able to attend to his ordinary pastoral duties.
In May, 1762, the Congregation purchased a parsonage, and gave the use
of it to Mr. Bostwick, as an addition to hb stated salary. As they had no
charter, they were obliged to convey this property to certain individuals to
be held in trust.
In the autumn of this year, (1762,) Mr. Bostwick being too feeble to
discharge all the duties demanded of a pastor by so large a congregation,
the Bev. Joseph Treat,* a member of the Presbytery of New Brunswick,
^ras associated with him in his pastoral charge. But Mr. Bostwick's course
was now nearly finished. He died after a severe illness of a few days,
November 12, 1768, aged forty-three years.
He published a Sermon preached at Philadelphia before the Beverend
Synod of New York, entitled **Self disclaimed and Christ exalted, 1758,
which was reprinted in London, 1776; also " an Account of the life, charac-
jf . » • • • •
• JotsPR Tbsat, mm gndnaled at th« OdUcge of Kow Jnrnj in 1767j wm a Tntor in thf
tOoUage from 1768 lo 17«0| mm Uotnfad to praoh bj the Pjrwbjtoiv of N««r Briiitowidk in
' "'■ oonnootfon tm pMtorwith the TnAjimiMk ohimh inF " ' "**
]m, whon, in panoaoM of na M^ioiAioB to tlio Pmbgrtoiyby tlM oongreffttioB, i^^M dii-
■olyod. In 1785, tlio PNtbftenr ofKowTork imori tkat tfaoj had, dnfnf tlM yniaibutypKt,
difmiMod Hr.TnftfttotlMPMbjiayof N«#£mm^ Iwt I And notartlMr tnloo o^lditt.
DAYID BOSTWIOK. J^gg
ler and defttii of Prendent Dayies," prefixed to Davies' Sermon on the
death of Gkorge II, 1761. After his death, there was published from hiB
mannaoripts '* A fidr and rational Yindioation of the Bight of infiuits to the
ordinanoe of Baptism ; being the substance of several Disoonrses from Aots
li. 89." This Tract was reprinted in London, and a second American
edition of it was printed in 1837.
The degree of Master of Arts was conferred on Mr. Bostwick by the
Oollege of New Jersey, in 1756 ; and he was one of the overseers of the
same institution from 1761 till his death.
Mr. Bo8twiok had a numerous family of children, — ^four sons and six
daughters, all of whom lived to adult years. One of his sons {Andrew) was
a Colonel in the Bevolutionary war. One of his daughters married General
McDougall of the Continental army, and afterwards the Bev. Asel Boe ;
and another married Qeneral Boberdeau, a member of the old Congress from
1777 to 1779.
The Hon. David S. Boardman of New Milford, says of him— <' His tradi-
tionary reputation as a preacher, as derived from the old people of this place,
who occasionally heard him preach, when visiting his relations here, wad
very high."
The Hon. William Smith, in his History of New York, which was pub*
lished in 1767, in speskmg of Mr. Bostwick, says, —
*' He is a gentleman of a mild. cithoUc disposition; and being a man of piety, pm*'
dence, and seal, confines himself entirely to the proper bnsinefls of his ftmctions. In
the art of preaching, he is one of the most distingaished clergymen in these parts. His
discourses are methodical, sound and pathetic; in sentiment and in point of diction^
sinxnlarly ornamented. He delivers himself without notes, and vet with great eaae
ana fluencv of expression; and performs every part of Divine worsnip with a striking
solemnity.''
The following notice <tf Mr. Bostwick's character is from the Preface to
his Treatise on Baptism, which was published the year immediately suo^
oeeding his death. It is anonymous, but was evidentiy written by one
who knew him well. —
« But though Kr. Bostwick's snperior talents for the work of the ministry had spread
his praises in the Gospel throni^out these Western churches, yet he was personally
known (comparatively) to bat few; his fixed charge having always confined him withm
the verge of his incnmhent duty, and his great humility and entire freedom from all
ostentation ever concesled him as much from pnblic view, as eminenoy of his
station would permit. But as he is now no more, and some strictures of his person
and character may he agreeable to many of the disUnt readers of this treatise, they
may be pleased to take them briefly thus.
"As a man, he was somothhig above middle stature, comely and well-set, his aspect
grave and venerable; formed by nature with a dear understanding, quick apprehen-
sion, prompt elocation, and solid Judgment; his imagbation strong and lively, and Ms
memory very tenadons. Of all these he gave the most convincing prooft, both hi
public and private Ufe.
<* He dhrected the course of his studies fai a dose and hitfanate subservien<7 to the
great bnsiness of his profession. En iouloU Utki [I Tim. iv. 16] might have been his
motto. In Divinity his great strength lay. He had an admfa-able discendng of truth
and error, in their causes, connections, and consequences j and believed and tan^t ibt
pure doctrines of Christianity, as contained in the Holy Scriptures, and as declared hi
the pnblic Confessions of the Beformed Churches, in their original and genuine meaning.
He beheld his Bible with reverence, as the grand diarter of life eternal. He knew it to
be a revelation from God. and the most wonderfril Book in the world. He saw its
external and internal evidence, by Nature's light, aided by hnman learning, and by a
special illumhiation from above. He beheld the majeshr, C^ory, reality, and impor-
tance of the su^ect of it; disoemhig therein an admirable display of the faifinite per-
fections of the Deity, with a perfect accommodation to the various states of man. He
considered it not only as a system of Divine knowledge, bnt as reveaUng a practical
and e^>erimental disdpUne; and fdt its vital energy, and had its truth sesled on his
134 FRESBTTEBLUr.
hBut, with that Uod of eridenoe, as would doabtteas have stood the flro upon tho
sererest trial.
' ' After this, I scaroe need add that he was a dlirlne of the old stamp, and oonld well
defend his system against all gainsayers. In these thfaigs he was ascribe well instmetedy
and with great sagacity and penetration could discern the spirit of error in its most
distant approaches. He knew its connections and tendendai, (e?er aiming at Qcd'a
dishonour or man's rnin.) and, therefore, as a faithfU watchman, always gare the
speediest warning of the danger.
" He had those gifts which rendered him a Tsry popular preacher. With a strong,
commanding Toioe. his pronunciation was dear, distinct and deliberate; his speech
and gesture decent and natural, without any affectation; his language ekgsnt and
pure, but with studied plainness, never below the dignity of the pulpit, nor abo?e the
Qspadty of the meanest of his auditory. The strength of his memory and the flow of
his elocution enabled him to preach without notes, but seldom or never extempore. He
Aimlshed the lamps of the sanctuary with beaten oil, and the matter and method of his
sermons were well studied.
'' In treating Dlyino subjects, he manifested an habitual reverence for the majesty
of Heaven, a deep sense of the worth of soulsj an intimate knowledge of the human
heart and its various worUnn in its twofold state of nature and grsoe. He dealt
feithfUly with his hearers, declaring to them the whole counsel of God, shewing
them their danger and remedy. And none will perish firom under his mlxiistry, but
their blood must lie upon their own heads. He always spake Arom a deep sense of the
truths he delivered, and declared those things which he had seen, and which he had
heard, and his hands had handled of the word of life; and delivered nothing to his
auditory but with a solemnity that discovered its importance.
'* His mind had a poetio turn. His style was copious and florid. He sometimes
soared, when his sulject would admit of it, with an elevated wing, and his imagination
enabled him to paint his scene, whatever it was. in very strong and lively cobun.
Few men could describe the hioBous deformity of sin, the misery of men's apostacy
ftmn God, the wonders of redeeming love, the glory and riches of Divine grace, in
stronger Unes, and more aflbcting strains, than he.
'' In the conduct of life, he was remarkably gentle towards all men, vastly prudent
and cautious, and always behaved with the meekness of wisdom, and flUed up eveir
relation in life with its proner duty, and was a livins example of the truth of that relf-
sion which he taught to otnen. He preached not himself, but Christ Jesus his Lord.
In this view, his eye was shigle, and ne regarded no other object. He knew in whose
place he stood, and feared no man. He dared to flash the terrors of the law in the
ihoe of the stoutest transgressor, with the same freedom as he displayed the amiable
beauties and glories of the Gospel for the comfort and refreshment of the penitent
believer.
'* As he higlily honoured his Divine Master,he was highly fevonred^y Him, of which,
take one instance.
'* In a former illness, from which it was though he could not recover, which hap-
pened some months before he died, he was greaiUy distressed by a deep concern for Us
nidow and his great femily on the event of his death. But God was pleased, in a time
of great extremiW, to grant him a glorious and astonishing view of lus power, wisdom
and goodness, and the riches of his grace, with a particular appropriauon to hhnself
and Els, such as dispelled every fear, and at that tune rendered him impatient to live;
bat, at length, on his recovery, which commenced immediately on the removal of this
distress, his mind settled into a Divine calm. He perceived himself equally willing to
live or die, as God pleased. In which temper he continued to his last moment, when
iMIaddly he resigned his soul and all his mortal hiterests, kito the hands of his Saviour
and his God. Such interoourse sometimes passes between the Father of Sphits and
the human spirit, and such honour have they that fear God.''
JAOOB OBEEN. Jg^
JACOB GREEN *
1745—1790.
Jaoob Grxbn, a son of Jacob and Dorothy (Lynde) Groon, was born at
Maiden, Mass., on the 22d of Janaarj, (0. S.) 1722. He lost his father
when he was about a year and a half old, after which, his mother was mar-
ried to John Barret, also a resident of Maiden. When he had reached the
age of abont seyen, his parents removed from Maiden to Killingly, Oonn.,
and he accompanied them. At foorteen, he chose a guardian, and was put
out to a trade. Haying liyed abont nine months with a Mr. Qreen of Kill-
ingly, and about a year with an nncle at Stoneham, and another year with
another uncle at Maiden, and haying, from some peculiar circumstances,
failed, in each case, of being bound out till he was twenty-one, it was pro-
posed to him by a brother-in-law who had come from Connecticut, that he
should endeayour to obtain a collegiate education. He caught eagerly at
the idea ; and an arrangement was soon made by which he could so hr anti-
cipate his patrimony, which lay in real estate, as to proceed at once to the
accomplishment of his object. Just before he had completed his seyen-
teenth year, he entered a grammar school, and pursued his studios till July,
1740, when he was admitted a member of Harvard College, at the age of
eighteen and a half.
Under the influence of the excellent instructions and example of his
mother, his mind was early directed to the subject of religion, and some-
times he had deeply serious feeliDgs, and formed resolutions in favour of a
religious life ; but his evil propensities, aided by powerful temptations, pre-
vailed over his better purposes ; and his experience, for several years, was
little better than a constant conflict between the power of conscience and
the power of sin, — ^the latter, however, always gaining the victory. The
clergyman, in whose family he resided, while he was fitting for College,
having gathered from some incidental remark that fell from him, that he
was not altogether indifferent to religion, came to him shortly f^ter, and
told him that he should propound him the next day for admission to the
church ; and though the young man was shocked at the suggestion, — ^not
having at all contemplated such an act, he yielded to the proposal/ and was
actually received to Conununion. He seems, for some time after, to have
had Utile comfort in his religious exercises ; and he ultimately had no doubt
that, at that period, he was deceived in regard to his true character.
Not long after he entered College, Whitefield made his first visit to New
England, and preached at Cambridge, among other places. Toung Green
heard him with wonder and delight, and he actually followed him, listening
to his sermons, from place to place, as far as Leicester, where he left him,
and went to visit his mother at EUlingly. This was the last visit he paid
to his mother, as she died in 1741. On his return to College, he found but
little sympathy with his own religious feelings among the students, though
about a doxcn of them formed themselves into a religious society, and met
once a week for devotional exercises. The state of things, however, soon
underwent a great change ; for, in January, 1741, Gilbert Tennent, whoee
• AatoUogiaphj, Ac, la th* Gluifkba AdTooate, X.— W«bit«f^8.1188»
18(J PBB9B1T?I»AN,.
preaohing tour throngli New Bngknd is one of the wdl knows erentB
of tliat period, oame to Cambridge, and produced, by hb ministrations, beth
in and out of the College, a most powerfiil religions ezoitement. Previons
to this time, Mr. Green had allowed himself to hope that he had been the
snbjeot of a radical change; but, under the preaohing of Tennent, he was
led to account that experience as delusion. His exercises, for some
time after this, were of the most awful and agonizing kind ; but he was
brought at length to repose in the mercy of Qod through Christ; and found
great joy and peace in belieying. His mind gradually settled into a calm
and equable frame, though, from a porUon of the record of his religious
exercises which still remains, it seems to have been habitually in a high
state of spirituality and dcTotion. And yet it is somewhat remarkable
that, with all his glowing seal, he had little disposition to take part in pub-
lic religious exercises; and when he attempted it, he found, for the most
part, neither freedom nor enjoyment.
He pursued his studies, during the whole of his college life, with 'most
untiring diligence ; and though he had an uncommonly yigorous constitu-
tion, it was considerably impiured by his excessive application and neglect
of exercise. His studies, however, never interfered with his devotions —
every thing else he regarded as subordinate to the cultivation of a spiritual
mind. He was admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Arts in July, 1744.
Among his classmates were Dr. Mayhew, Bishop Bass, and the Hon.
Thomas Gushing, a distinguished statesman of the Bevolution.
As his patrimony had been nearly or quite exhausted by his education,
he found it necessary, on leaving College, to betake himself to some employ-
ment, as a means of support. Accordingly, he accepted an invitation to
teach a school at Sutton, Mass., where he remained for nearly a year.
Before the year had expired, he was earnestly solicited by some of his friends
to commence preaching, and the committee of a vacant congregation actually
applied for his services. He was not then licensed, nor at all predisposed
to be ; but that he might not mistake in respect to his duty, he determined
to ask the advice of a minister in or near Boston, in whose judgment he
had great confidence ; and, on referring the matter to him, he was advised
to defer entering the ministry till he had devoted a year or two to prepara-
tion for it. In this opinion he cordially acquiesced.
Having closed his school at Sutton, and being on a visit to his friends,
waiting to know what might be the indications of Providence in respect to
him, Whitefield, happening to pass through that part of the country, invited
him to accompany him to Georgia, to take charge of his Orphan House.
He accepted the invitation, snd promised to meet Whitefield in New York,
within about a month from that time, and proceed with him to his Southern
destination. Accordingly, he followed him in due time, and overtook him
at Elizabethtown, N. J., but was disappointed to learn from him that he
had received letters from Georgia, informing him of the failure of certain
subscriptions, in consequence of which he should not be able to manage the
Orphan House as he had expected. He told him, however, that if he chose
to go on with him, he would fulfil his agreement with him for half a year,
or if he chose to stop, he would defray the expense of his joamey thus far.
Having consulted Mr. Dickinson, at whose house he found Whitefield, he
determined, on the whole, to accept the latter side of the alternative ; and
then, by the advice of Mr. Dickinson, and Mr. Burr of Newark, he was
JFAOOB GBESK. 137
iadnoed to renudn in thai xegJLon, and reoeive lioeoM to preadu . Aodoid-
ingly, lie was lioensed in September, 1746, at Eliiabethtown, and wiLs imme^
diatelj invited to preach at Hanoyer, Morria Oonnty. Here he preached a
year on probation, reoeiyed a call to settle, and was ordained and installed,
in Noyeinber, 1746. Some months previous to his ordination, he fell into
deep spiritual darkness, and had, at one time, nearly determined to abandon
the ministry, from a conscious unfitness to pursue it ; but a conversation
with Mr. Burr relieved him, in a good degree, of his apprehensions, and
encouraged him to persevere in the work wluch he had undertaken.
In June, 1747, Mr. Green was married to Anna Strong of Brookhaven,
L. I. She died of consumption in November, 1756. By this marriage he
had four children. In October, 1767, he was married, a second time, to
Elisabeth, daughter of the . Bev. John Pierson of Woodbridge, N. J.,
and granddaughter of the Bev. Abraham Pierson, first President of Tale
OoUege. By this latter marriage he had six children, — one of whom was
the Rev. Pr. Ashbel Oreen, President of the College of New Jersey. His
second wife survived him many years, and died in August, 1810.
Mr. Green received but a slender support firom his congregation, and,
during the first twelve years of his ministry, kept himself, as fiur as possi-
ble, from being entangled with worldly cares. After that, feeling the
necessity of making some provision for his fumily, he engaged, to some
extent, in secular business, — chiefiy in the practice of medicine, which he con-
tinued some thirty years. The physician and the minister he found little
difficulty in uniting ; but engagements of a more decidedly worldly char^
acter ho considered as interfering with his ministerial comfort and use-
fulness.
In 1764, there was a powerful reyival of religion in his congregation,
which extended also to many other congregations in the region. A revival,
still more powerful, occurred in 1774. While he was rejoicing in thus wit-
nessing the frmt of his labours, he was attacked with a most serious ilbess,
which threatened his speedy dissolution. He gathered his family around
him in the evening, and gave them his parting counsels and blessings, in
the full expectation that he should not see the light of another morning.
It happened that, on the afternoon of .the same day, several of the neigh-
bouring ministers had met in his parish to hold a ^* public lecture," as it
was called, with special reference to the interesting state of religion among
his people ; and, instead of having a sermon on the occasion, as usual, they
spent tiie time in earnest prayer that the life of their apparently dying
brother might still be preserved. The next morning, to his own surprise,
and .the great delight of his family, his disease had evidentiy formed a
favourable crisis; and from that time he continued to mend, till he was able
to resume his accustomed labours. In 1790, he witnessed yet another simi-
lar season of revival, in the midst of which he passed from his labours to
his reward.
In 1780, Mr. Green was concerned in a movement which, at the time,
excited oonaidtfrable attention, — ^the formation of the Morris County Pres-
bytery. He was not in principle strictly a Presbyterian, nor yet strictiy a
Gongregationalist ; but he sympathised with some of the peculiarities of
each ; — ^that is, he was in &vour of Presbyterian Ordination, and'of Inde-
pendent Ohurch Government. Accordingly, he united with several of his
Yd. in. 18
138 PRSSBYTBBIAK.
breihren in fonning a Presbjterj upon tlik buiB ; but it Menui, in its pno-
tioal resnlts, never to haye fulfilled his expectationa.
Of his religioafl opiniona. be gives tbe following Moonnt: —
" From my youth. I had heard much said upon the principlea that are called Gal-
ylnlatio and Anninian; and when I thought at all, I approTed moderate CalTiniam,
before I had any religion ; and when I got my religion in the Niw Light time, I became
a more sealons Calviniat. I had a great aversion to the oppoeera of the New Light
religion, and those opposers in New England, where I then liTed. were generally sup-
posed to be Armfailan, or tinged with Arminian principles. When I settled in the
ministry, I was led hito Kr. Stoddard's notions of the Sacraments, by Messrs. Dick-
inson, jBurr, and some others, that I had a high opinion of. They were in other
reroects strong Galvinists. and sealons promoters of the Relbrmation, or New Ligl^
religion, and opposite to those I had been troubled with as opposers in New England.
Hence I was influenced to think they were right in their notions of the Sacraments. ICy
prepossession in their fkvour, together with some plausible arguments they used, indu-
ced me to embrace Stoddard's sentiments, which before I had thou^t were not right,
and ibr some time, I practised on his scheme in the admission ofchuroh members.
But my church was not generally in that opinion, and I was not aealous to urge ICr.
Stoddard's principles.
"After I had been settled a few years, I was inclined to some notions that were
Armhiian, or that bordered upon Arminianism, especially as to the power of the crea-
ture, the freedom of the will, the origin of action, &c. I seemed also to have some
notion that there might be a degree of acceptableness to God in the religious duties
of the unregenerate; which well agreed with the Stoddardian notion of unregenerate
persons coyenanttng and coming to the Sacrament. But I continued not long in these
notions; for, when I came to weigh and consider thhigs well, I found I held sereral
inconsistent sentiments. My sentiments in general were CalTinistio— I was founded
and established in the principles : and yet I found that I had, in a measure, given in
to several thincs that were Armmian, and quite inconsistent with my Galvlnistic prin-
ciples. I had been inclined to such notions of human flreedom, the sufficiency of the
creature, origin of power, duties of the unregenerate, their covenanting and using
Sacraments, as were not consistent with other sentiments which I firmly believed,
which I had the ftillest evidence of, and could clearly demonstrate. When I came to
look thoroughly into thfaigs, I found that all the Arminian notions or doctrines were
so connected, that they must and would stand or fall together^-^he same connection I
also fbund to be in Galvinistic sentiments. Dr. Watts' Terms of Ghristian Gommunion,
Edwards' Inquiry concerning aualiflcatlons for Sacraments, and his book on the Will,
were assistances to me in studying these points; and were a considerable means to
help to bring me off from all the notions that bordered on Arminianism."
Mr. Green was a moat vigoroUB and nncompromiBing opposer of African
Slavery. He opposed it in public and in private, from the pnlpit and the
preas, with the utmost leal, though he stood almost alone in dobg so. It
was even made a term of Obristian • fellowship in the church of which he
was pastor, that no Ohristian brother or sister should hold a human being
in bondage.
He was an earnest advocate for American Independence. He even pub-
lished a pamphlet to show its reasonableness and necessity, at a period when
snch an opinioti waa very extensively branded aa a political heresy. He
was elected, though contrary to his strongly expressed wishes, a member of
the Provinoial Oongress of New Jersey, which set aaide the Boyal govern-
ment of that Province, and formed the present oonstitntion of the State;
and he was Ohairman ot the committee which drafted the constitntion. He
published a series of able articles in a newspaper, designed to put hb fellow
dtiiens on their gnard against the disastrous results rf the paper currency,
with whioh the country waa then inundated. These essays were republished
in many of the newspapers of the day ; aod the plan which they prescribed
for the redemption of the " Continental currency," waa very nearly the
same whioh Congress ultimately adopted. When the British troops over-
ran the State of New Jersey, in the autumn of 1776 and the beginning of
1777, it was thought that his prominence as a Whig peculiarly expos^ him
JACOB GBEEK. |89
to hostile inoiindoiui uid deprodations ; but he remained at hia post nearly
the whole time, and suffered no injury, and no material inoonyenience.
Hr. Oreen published three Sermons, the subjeots of whioh were, — '* The
nature of natural and moral inability;" **The sins of youth Tisited with
punishment in subsequent Ufe ;" and *' The'nature of an acceptable Fast " —
the latter was preached on a Fast day appointed by Oongress. He pub-
lished also the following miscellaneous pamphlets: — An Inquiry into the
constitution and discipline of the Jewish Ohuroh, in order to cast some light
on the controversy concerning qualifications for the Sacraments of the New
Testament. With an Appendix, 1768. A Reply to the Rev. George Beck-
with's Answer to Mr. Green's Sermon, entitied Ohristian Baptism, in a
Letter to a friend, 1769 ; A smsll help offered to heads of &milies on the
religious instructions of their households; A vision of Hell, consisting
chiefly of a Dialogue between the devils on 'the temptations which they had
found most successful in ruining immortal souls. This pamphlet was
anonymous, and passed through several editions. A Beply to the Bev.
George Beckwith's Answer to Mr. Green's Sermon entitied ** Ohristian
Baptism," in a Letter to a friend, 1769.
Mr. Green's last illness was short. In May, 1790, he had an attack of
influenaa, which, however, was not considered serious, until a short time
before its &tal termination. Then he became suddenly comatose, and
though he continued to answer questions intelligentiyi he manifested littio
disposition to converse. Being apprised that his end had nearly come, he
was asked by his wife what were his views as to his future well-being, and he
replied, — "I have a hope," — and after a short interval, added,: — *'and
some fear." Havmg uttered these words, his spirit gently passed away.
His son, the Bev. Dr. Green, wrote the following epitaph, containing an
epitome of his character, which is inscribed on his tomb-stone : —
" Under thb stone are deposited the remains of the Rev. Jacob Green,
A. M. First Pastor of the Hanover Ohurch, who died, 24th of May, 1790,
aged sixty-eight years, of which forty-four were spent in the Gospel ministry.
He was a man of temper, even, firm and resolute; of affections, temperate,
steady and benevolent ; of genius, solid, inquisitive and penetrating ; of
industry, active and unwearied; of learning, various and accurate ; of man-
ners, simple and reserved; of piety, humble, enlightened, fervent and
eminent. As a preacher, he was instructive, plain, searching, practical ; as
a pastor, watchful, laborious ; ever intent on some plan for the glory of
God and the salvation of his fiook; and, by the Divine blessing, happily
and eminently successful."
Mr. Green left in manuscript, an autobiography reaching down as far as
1777. His son, the Bev. Dr. Green, published this in a series of numbers
in the tenth volume of his *' Christian Advocate;" and supplied the
remaining part of the history from his own recollections.
140 PBISBTTKBIAH.
SAMUEL DAVIES *
1746—1761.
Samusl Dayixs was bom near Sammit Bidge, Newcastle Ooiiiity, De.,
NoYember 8, 1728. He was, on both sides, of Welsh extraction. His
figither was a farmer, in humble cironmstanoes, and of moderate intellectual
powers and attainments, bat of unexceptionable Christian character. His
mother was distinguished for both talents and piety ; and, from his birth,
she sacredly devoted him to the serFice of the Lord in the Christian min-
istry. The father died in 1769, aged seventy-nine years. The mother
survived her son several years, and passed the latter part of her life in the
fSunily of the Bev. Dr. Bodgers of New Tork.
The rudiments of his education he received from his mother, there being
ho school in the neighbourhood in which the family lived ; but when he was
about ten years old, he had an opportunity of attending a school some dis-
tance from home, where, for two years, he studied diligently, and improved
rapidly. His mother had given th^ strictest attention to his religious educa-
tion, and, by the blessing of God upon her unwearied efforts, in connecdon
with her earnest prayers, he became, at the age of twelve, deeply and per-
manently impressed with the great truths of religion ; though he did not
make a public profession of his fidth till after he had entered his fifteenth
year.
His classical course was commenced under the tuition of a respectable
Welsh Baptist nunister,— the Bev. Abel Morgan; but he was transferred
to Mr. Blur's famous school at Fagg's Manor, soon after its establishment.
Here, under excellent advantages, he devoted himself to the study of the
classics and the sciences, as well as Theology; and, in consequence of
ezoesuve applioadon, his health, before the close of his course, was not a
little impaired. He was licensed to preach by the Newcastle Presbytery,
on the 80th of July, 1746. On the 28d of October following, he was
married to Sarah Eirkpatrick, supposed to have been a daughter of John
Kirkpatriok, of Notdngham.
On the 19th of February, 1747, he was ordained as an evangelist, with a
view to a mission among some of the destitute congregations in Yirgmia,
especially in Hanover County. This was, on several accounts, an unpro-
mising and difficult field, especially in consideration of the fact that the
Episcopal Church was then the Established Church of Virginia, and the
Dissenters were, for the most part, extremely obnoxious to ^e civil autho-
rities ; but Mr. Davies is said to have undertaken the mission, partly from
a feeling of gratitude towards certain persons in that region, who, through
one of his friends, had contributed to meet the expenses of his education.
On his arrival at Williamsburg, in April, he petitioned the Oeneral Court
for a license to officiate at four different places of worship in and about
Hanover. The petition was granted, chiefly through the influence of the
(governor; though, at that time, there were pending several civil suits
against Dissenting ministers, for holding reli^Lous worship in a manner not
• Flaley'i Fan. Senn.— Gfbbon'f do.— AflMmb. Wm, Ifaf . I.— Psnop. IL— lit. and Bniic.
ICk— ^Grara'i Hlft. of N. J. OolL— Footo^f SketohM orvS. I.
SAXUSL BAVIES. 141
reoogiubed by the law of the Provinoe. He immedistely entered upon his
laboursi and was received with great enthnsiaBm, and listened to by mi^ti-
tndes with profound attention. The people were qoioUy resoWed on
seooring his semces permanently, and, after three or four months, they
sent a call for him to the Presbytery. He returned from Yirginia to Dela-
ware about the close of summer ; and, on the 15th of September, was sud-
denly bereayed of his wife, under circumstances peculiarly afflictive. His
own health was now greatly reduced, and there was every thing' to indicate
that he was the subject of a confirmed consumption. He, however, con-
tinned his labours, preaching during the day, even when he was so ill at
night as to need persons to sit up with him.
In the spring of 1748, there was some slight improvement in his oondi-
tion, insomuch that his friends began to regard his recovery as at least
possible. Many requests were now put in for his services ; and that from
Hanover was renewed with increased importunity. This he was, on every
account, predisposed to accept ; and, accordingly, he did accept it, though
without any expectation that ius health would allow him long to retain the
charge. On this second visit to Yirginia, he was accompanied by his inti-
mate friend, Mr. John Bodgers, afterwards the Rev. Dr. Rodgers of New
York, who, however, failed in his application for a license to preach in the
Province.
On the 4th of October, 1748, he formed a second matrimonial connection
with Jean, daughter of John Holt of Hanover, who became the mother of
six children, and survived him many years.
About the same time, his license to preach was extended to three addi-
tional meeting-houses, so that his labours were now divided between seven
places of worshi]^, in five different counties, and some of them forty miles
distant from each other; but his health was by this time restored, so that
he was able to meet his manifold engagements. His residence was in Han-
over, about twelve miles from Richmond. By his glowing seal, combined
with exemplary prudence, and an eloquence more impressive and effective
than had then perhaps ever graced the American pulpit, he made his way
among all classes of people, and was alike acceptable to all, from the most
polished gentleman to the most ignorant African slave. A manifest blessing
from on high attended his labours ; and within about three years from the
time of hb settlement, no less than three hundrM had been gathered to the
communion of the church.
Though Mr. Davies succeeded, with little difficulty, in obtaining a license
from the civil authorities to occupy so wide a field by his professional
labours, he was subsequently engaged in controversy with Peyton Ran-
dolph, the BLing's Attorney General, on the question whether the Act of
Toleration, which had been passed in England expressly for the relief of
Pretestant Dissenters, extended also to Yirginia ; he vigorously maintaining
the affirmative, and the Attorney General eu vigorously the negative. On
one ooeasion, he appeared personally before the General Court, and replied
to the Attorney General in a strain of eloquence, which is said to have won
the admiration of the most earnest of his opponents. He maintained hu
position with the utmost firmness ; and when, on his visit to England^ he
had an opportunity to bring the matter before the King in Ooune9, he
reoeived a declaration, under authority, that the Act of. Toleration, did
extend to the Oolony of Yirginia.
142 FBSSBTTEBIAH.
On the 4th of October, 1768, a zeqneet was presented to the Synod of
New York, then in session in Philadelphia, by the Trostees of the OoUege
of New Jersey, that they wonld appoint two of th^ members, Messrs.
Gilbert Tennent and Samuel Davies, to make a Toyage to Bnrope to solicit
beneCftotions in aid of the OoUege. The i^pointment having been made
and accepted, and eyery thing having been arranged for their departure,
they embarked in a yessel for London on the 17th of November, where they
arrived on the 26th of December. They visited Scotland together, but
parted at Edinburgh, Mr. Tennent to visit Glasgow and Ireland, and Mr.
Davies the principal towns in England. They subsequently met in Lon-
don, in October, 1764 ; and the next month embarked for America, — ^Mr.
Tennent immediately for Philadelphia, and Mr. Davies for York, Ya. The
latter had a rough and protracted passage, and did not reach Yirginia till
the 18th of February, 1766. He was received with great favour in both
England and Scotland, and preached to not only universal acceptance, but
universal admiration. The object of the united mission was also happily
accomplished, in much larger collections being made for the College, than
even the most sanguine friends of the enterprise had ventured to hope for.
Mr. Davies, on his return, immediately resumed his pastoral labours,
though he found himself in the midst of a state of thiogs that forbade him
to confine his labours to hb own cougregation. The French and Indian
war was at this time occasioning the greatest agitation throughout that part
of the country ; and even the idea of abandoning a part of the Oolony of
Yirginia to the enemy had been suggested. On the 20th of July, 1766,
occurred General Braddock's memorable defeat, and the remnant of his
army was saved only by the skill and courage of Colonel Washington, then
but twenty-three years of age. Ten days after this, Mr. Davies preached a
Sermon **0n the defeat of Gtoeral Braddock going to Fort Du Quesne; "
in which he called upon his hearers, in the most impassioned strain, to show
•< themselves Men, Britons and Christians, and to make a noble stand for
the blesmngs they enjoyed." It was apprehended that the negroes might
Join the Indians and French ; and Mr. Davies, who had perhaps more influ-
ence with them than any other person, exerted himself to the utmost to
prevent such a movement. In August of the same year, he delivered a Ser-
mon in Hanover to a company of Independent Yolunteers, which was
afterwards published, and 'in a note to which he alludes prophetically to
Washington — ** That heroic youth," says he, '* Colonel Washbgton, whom
I cannot but hope Providence has hitherto preserved in so signal a manner,
for some important service to his country." On another occasion, he
preached a Sermon to the Militia of Hanover County, with a view to raise a
oompany for Captain Samuel Meredith ; and such was the enthusiasm pro-
duceid by the Discourse that, within a few minutes after it was concluded,
the company was made up, and the preacher was well nigh overwhelmed
with demonstrations of respect and admiration.
But, notwithstanding these patriotic efforts, which the circumstances of
the times evidently demanded, Mr. Davies suffered notiiing to diminish
his exertions, 'Or damp his seal, in his appropriate work as a Christian minis-
ter. He preached the Gkispel oontinually; in season and out of season ;
among the negroes as well as the white population; and his labours were
attended with marked success. The Presbytery of Hanover,— the first
Presbytery in Yirginia, was founded shortly alter his return from Europe,
SAXUSL BAYISS. 143
■nd diieily through his uuitnimentaKty. The Act of the Synod of New
Yink &r this purpose bears date September 8, 1766 ; and Mr. Davies was
appointed to open the Presbytery, which was direoted to meet at Hanover
on the 8d of Peoember of that year.
Mr. Dayies may be considered as having been the soni of the Dissenting
interest in Virginia. The Presbytery of Hanover originally comprehended
the whole of Yirginia, and the greater part, if not the whole, of North
Oarolina; and thronghont this extensive region were scattered settlements
that were not in sympathy with the Established Ohnrch. Over thb wide
tract of country Mr. Davies' influence was diffused. So great was his popu-
larity that his labours were called for abroad, much too often to satisfy his
own people ; and they even warmly remonstrated with the Presbytery for
directing him to supply so many vacancies.
On the 16th of August, 1758, Mr. Davies was chosen to succeed Jonathan
Bdwards, as President of the College of New Jersey ; but he declined the
appointment. He was, however, on the 9th of May, 1769, elected a second
time ; and, though he still felt strong objections to leaving that extensive
and important field, yet, as this was a second appointment, and the Synod
had meanwhile given it as their judgment that he ought to accept it, and as
he had long felt the deepest interest in the welfare of the Oollege, he was
constrained to think that the indications of Providence were in favour of a
removal. He, therefore, signified his acceptance of the appointment,
resigned his diaige on the 18th of May, 1769, removed to Princeton
shortly afler, entered upon the duties of his office on the '26th, of July,
and was formally inducted into the Presidential chair on the 26th of Sep-
tember.
As Mr. Davies brought with him to the Oollege the highest reputation for
wisdom, piety, and eloquence, so he fully sustained it while his connection
with the Oollege continued. He had now the best opportunity for the
exercise of hb varied gifts ; and he used ihem in such a way as to give new
efficiency and lustre to the institution. But, while every thing seemed to
promise a protracted career of usefulness, he was suddenly called away to
exercise his powers on a nobler field. His habit being somewhat plethoric,
he had been accustomed in Virginia to the exercise of riding, as a means
of preserving his health. His duties at Princeton led him bto a sedentary
life, and his application to study was intense and unremitted. Towards the
close of January, 1761, he was bled for a severe cold, and the next day
transcribed for the press his Sermon on the death of George the Second.
The day following, he preached twice in the Oollege chapel. His arm
became inflamed, and a violent fever ensued, to which he fell a victim in ten
days. He died on the 4ih of February, 1761, at the age of thirty-six, and
after having held the office of President of the Oollege a little more than
eighteen months. His disease, in its progress, was accompanied by delir-
ium ; but, in his lucid intervals, and even amidst the wanderings of his
mind, it was manifest that the tendencies of his spirit were towards immor-
tality. A Sermon on the occasion of his death was preached in London on
the 29th of March by the Sev. Dr. Thomas Oibbons, and another at
Princeton on the 28th of May, by the Bev. Dr. Samuel Finley ; both of
which were published.
The foUowmg is a list of President Davies' publications : — ^A Sermon on
man's primitive state, 1748. The state of religion among the Protestant
144 FBXSBTTBBIAK.
DiBSonUn in Yirginiai in a Letter id the Bey. Joaeiph Bellamy, 176L A
Sermon preaohed before the Preebyterj of NewoaaUe, 1762. A Semon
preaobed at the installation of the Bey. John Todd,* 1752. Beligion and
Patriotiem, the oonstitnents of a good soldier: A Sermon preach^ before
a company of Yolnnteers, 1766. Virginia's Danger and Bemedy : Two
lyisoonrses occasioned by the severe dronght, and the defeat of General
Braddock, 1756. Letters, showing the «tate of Beligion in Virginia, par-
tionlarly among the negroes, 1761-1767. A Sermon on the '^yessels of
mercy and the yessek of wrath," 1767. A Sermon on " Little children
inyited to Jesns Ohrist," 1767^ The Gone of Oowardioe: A Sermon
before the Militia of Vir^ia, 1768. A Valedictory Disconrse to the Senior
class in the Oollege of New Jersey, 1760. A Sermon on the death of
George II., 1761. He was also the anther of seyeral important docnments
of a. public nature, and yarious Hymns and other pieces of poetry, of no
small degree of merit.
A collection of his Sermons, indudbg most of those which had been
printed during his life time, was published after his death, in three yolumes,
ootayo. They haye passed through seyeral editions, both in Ghreat Biitain
and in America, and are generally regarded as among the most able and
eloquent senhons in the English language.
Though it is not to be supposed that there is any person now liying, who
has ikuy recollectbns of President Dayies, many of the last generation
remembered him well, and the testimony which they rendered concerning
him is a matter of authentic redord. The Bey. Dr. John H. Bice, in the
notices of his life and character which appeared in the Literary and Syan*
gelical Magaone, has brought together yarious well authenticated traditions
ooneeming him, which of themselyes are enough to proye that he was one
of the most gifted men of his time. The Bey. Dr. John H. Liyingston, the
Patriarch of the Beformed Dutch Ohurch, informed me thfit he once heard
him preach at Princeton, and that he was without exception the first pul-
pit orator to whom he had oyer listened. His yoioe, his attitudes, his ges-
• Jonr Todd wu gmdnated tl the CoUege of New Jmer In 1749, and wtt Uomfod bj tbe
PrabrteiT of New Bmnswiek in 1760. ShorOj after hii Ueentiire, he went to yiiginla, u4
pnMia<Bd to gnat ■atiaflwtion in lome of the honaei that had been lioesaed ftr the Rer. Samnel
DaTlea. In 1T61, he letnmed to the Noith, wai ordained hj the PrednieiT of New Bmna-
wlek, and then went baok to Yiiginia^irhere he wae regnlarlT lieenaed 1^ tte Oeneial Court
** to officiate aa an aadirtalit to Bamnel Daylei, a DiMenting minister.'' He wai InataUed on the
Uth of NoTember, 1763-*-ihe Sermon on the oooailon wai preaohed hj the Rer. Mr. Datiea, and
wai pnUlshed, the next year, with a Pedieation <'to theBererend Clenprof the BitaUiphed
Ohnnh of Virginia.'' Attm Ifr. Bayiei* removal to Pxineeton. Mr. Toddwaa, for many yean,
th^leading man In the HaaoT«r PnaMeiy, Bast of the Bine Bidge. He waa a gtaonoh Whig
dmbm the Berolntlon, and waa alwagri lealoDS in defenoe of reUgiona libertrf. He took & deep
Intmat In the eoriy immigration to Kentadky, and exerted himaelf to the ttmoat to obtain ftom
the Viiginia LegiaUtofa * oharter for a Oollege In that new ooontiy ; and, after the Tran^l-
▼ania Seminaiy was established, he waa instrunental in fomishlng it with.a small bat talnaUe
Ubraty, and a aslentlflo appai^os. He saperintended a elasrioal sehool whidh was Ui hirii
rapnte for many yeais, bat deeUned^ and waa flnaUy giT«n np, after he beoame for advanoidlfl
lin. He gre# pramatarely old, in oonseqaenoe of his ezoeaslTe laboars in the earW. period of
his mlnist^i and. for aereral yean pre?ioas to his death, he was not able to perform aU tbe
sei'fi0<a teqnired by his own oliarge. As some renorts had arisen adTorse to his idelity, esp*«
eially In the maintebanoe of diseipiine In Us eharsh, he attended the meeting of the Preabyteiy
in the Gore OongregadoA, AUMitaarl^ in Jiily, 179S, with a riew to ezplun and ^te the
rajp^ ehaigea. THaTin|| aeoobi^llshed his oMMt, ha set oat for home on Batorday the 27th^
and the same day was fonnd dead in the road. Whether he died from apoplexy, or in oonse-
qaenoe of being thrown firom his hon^' toaldddly be eoi4«etaied. Ifr. Todd maohed in Vir-
ginia aboat forfy-two /ean. A bob, bearing his name, was lioensed br the Hatoo?ar IMby^
fny, Septembor IS, 1800, pr^aohlng Mi *tet Semon where his fother preaobed his last* For
idkns lima ha ocea^ed tha shta^oliA Itft tatfaat I7 his fother,1rat InlBOO repBored to X«n«
lirtky.
SAMUEL PAYIES. 3^45
tnre, every thing pertaining io mimner, lie 8aid» oame up to the most perfect
ideal that he was able to form.
The following is an extract from Dr. Finley's Sermon occasioned by his
death:
'* As to his natural genius. It wss strong and mascollne. His understanding wss
clear, his memory retentiTe, his Invention qnick| his imag^ation lively and florid, his
thoughts sahUme, and his language elegant, strong and ezpresslTe. And I cannot hut
presume that true and candid critics will readily discern a great degree of true poetic
fire, style, and imagery, in his poetical compositions ; and will grant that he was capable
to have shone in that way, had his leisure permitted the due cultiTation of his natural
talent.
'* His appearance in company was manlv and gracefhl, his behsTiour genteel, not
ceremonious: crsTe yet pleasant; and solid but sprightiy too. In a word, he was an
open, conversable and entertainhig companion, a polite gentleman, and devout Chris-
tian, at once.
" In the sacred desk, seal for Grod and love to men animated his addresses, and made
them tender, solemn, pungent and persuasive; while, at the same time, they were
ingenious, accurate andl oratorical. A certain dignity of sentiment and style, a vene-
rable presence, a commanding voice, and emphatteal delivery, concurred both to charm
his audience, and overawe them into silence and attention.
" Nor was his usefulness confined to the pulpit. His comprehensive mind could take
under tIcw the grand interests of his country and of religion at once; and these
interests, as well as those ot his iHends, he was ever ready sealouslY to serve. It Is
known what an active instrument be was In stirring up a patriot spirit,— a spirit of
courage and resolution in Ylrglnia, where he resided during the late barbarous rrencfa
and Indian ravages.
" His natural temper was remarkably sweet and dispassionate : and his heart was
one of the tenderest towards the distressed. His svmpathetic soul could say * Who is
weak, and I am not weak ?' Accordingly, his charitable disposition made him liberal
to the poor, and that often beyond his ability. He was eminentiy obliging to all, and
very sensible of fkvours conibrred, which he could receive without servility, and mani-
fest his gratefbl sense of them with proper dignity.
*' To his friends he was voluntaruy transparent, and fUly acted up to the poet's
advice:
" ' Thy friend put in thy bosom : wear his eyes.
Still in thy heart that he may see what's there.'
" And perhaps none better understood the ingenuities and delicacies of friendship,
or had a higher relish Ibr it, or was truer or more constant in it, than he. He was not
easily disgusted; his knowledge of human nature in its present state, his candid heart
and enla^^ soul, both disposing and enabling him to make allowances for indiscre-
tions, whidi narrower and more selfish minds could not make. He readily and easily
forgave ofDinces agadnst himself, whilst none could be more caroftil to avoid offending
others; which, if he at any time inadvertentiy did, he was forward and desirous to make
the most ample satisfaction.
" He was amongst the first and brightest examples of filial piety; a very indulgent
parent and humane master. As a hnsbsnd, he was kind, tender, cordial and respect-
nil, with a fondness that was manlv and genuine. In a word, think what mi|^t
ratlonaUy be expected in the present unperfbot state, in a mature man, a Christian hi
minority, a minister of Jesus, of like passions with others, in a gentleman, companion,
and cordial friend, and you conceive of President Davies.
" It would hardly be expected that one so rigid, with respect to his own fkith and
practice, could be so generous and catholic in his sentiments of those who diflbred from
him in both, as he was. He was strict, not bigoted; conscientious, not squeamishly
scrupulous. His dear and extensive Knowledge of religion enabled him to discern
where the main stress should be laid, and to proportion ms seal to the importance of
tldngs,— ioo generous to be conibed to the interests of a party as such . He considered
the Tisfble KiiUBdom of Christ as extended beyond the boundaries of thU or that par-
ticular denommation : and never supposed that his dedarative riory was wholly
dependent on the religious community which he most approved. Hence he gloried
more in befog a Christian than fo being a Pr^^ttrian, though he was the latter from
principle. His truly catholic address to the Established Clergy of Yirglnia is a demon-
stration of the sincere pleasure it would have given him to have heard that ' Christ was
preached,' and substantial religion, common Christianity, promoted by those who
'walked not with him,' and whom he Judged in other points to be mistsken. His
benevolent heart could not be so soured, nor his enlarged soul so contracted, ss to
value men from drcumstantial distinctions, but accordfos to their personal wortn.
" He sought truth for Its own sake, and would profbss nls sentiments with the undis-
gnised openness of an honest Christian, and the inoflbnslve boldness ot a manly spirit;
7oL. m. 19
146 FBBSBTTBBIAV.
jet, wUhont tlie least apparent diiBcaU7 or healtatlon, bo muM xetraci an opiiilQiiv4m
hill coDTietion of ita being a mistake. I have nerer known one who appeared to lay Urn-
self more folly open to the reorotlon of truth, tnm whatever qaarter it eame, than he;
for he Judged the knofdedge of truth only to be roal leamfaigi and that endeavouring
to defend an error was bat laboaring to be more ignorant. But, nntil lUly oonvinoed,
he was becominfiy tenadons of his opinion.
" The unavoidable oonadonsness of native power made him bold and enterprising.
Yet the event proved that his boldness arose, not Arom a partial, groundless, self-oon-
ceit, but from true self-knowledge. Upon fkir and candid trial, fkithAil and Just to
hfanself, he Judged what he could do; and what he oould, when called to it, he
attempted; and what he attempted he accomplished.
CALEB SMITH *
1747—1762.
Oalsb Smith, a Bon of William and Hannah (Sean) Smith, was born at
Brookhayen, L. I., December 29, 0. S., 1728. The fiunily was one of oon-
siderable w^lth, and of high respeotability.
As he disoovered, from early ohildhood, more than common yigoor of
mind, and love of learning, hie father resolved on giving him a oolle|^te
ednoation; and accordingly placed him at a grammar achool, where he
made such improvements that, in 1789, in his fifteenth year, he became a
member of Tale College. His standing, daring hb whole college course,
was highly respectable, and he graduated, an excellent scholar, in 1748.
He remabed at College, for some time, as a resident gradnate.
Daring the second year that he was in College, there was a very general
attention to religion among the students, in which he also had a share.
From that time, his mind seems to have b^n permanently and habitaaUy
directed to his religioas interests; though he looked with no little disirast
upon his own exercises, on account of their having b^n less distinot and
vivid than he sapposed was necessary to give them the stamp of gennine-
ness. To others, however, the evidence of his piety was very sati^Mtory ;
and several clergymen, to whom he communicated his religioas views and
jbelings, had no hesitation in expressmg the opinion that his conversion was
radicd, and that he oaght to direct his attention to the Christian ministry.
In 1746, aboat the time he took his second degree, Mr. Barr of Newark,
afterwards President of New Jersey College, applied to him to assist him
in the instraotion of a large Latm school, of wUch he had the charge; bat
Mr. Smith's engagements did not allow him to go to Newark till Mr. Barr
was otherwise supplied. However, he went some time after to Bliiabeth-
town, where he instructed several yoong men m the languages, while he
porsaed the study ot Theology under the direction of the Rev. Jonathan
Dickinson. At length, by the advice of Mr. Dickinson and some other
ministers, he presented hbnself before the Presbytery of New Tork as a
candidate for the ministry; and, having creditably gone through his several
trials, was licensed to preach in April, 1747.
His preaching, from the beginning, was more than commonly aeoeptaUe;
and, within aboat a year from his Ucensure, he received several aoaaimoos
• A Brief AewoBt sC his LUb.-6tMnii^ met. Flist Oh., NewBik.
CALEB SMITH. I47
oUb from different plaoes to settle in the ministrj. He requested the PMp
byteiy to dedde which call he should aooept; but, u they ohose to nSst
the matter to his own jndgment, he decided in faronr of Newark if oim*
tains, (now Orange) ; and was accordingly ordained and installed there,
November 80, 1748.
Though Mr. Smith evidently laboured with great diligence, and in a spirit
of most intense devotion, his ministry was not signalized by any extraordi-
nary immediate results. It was, however, during a period of uncommoii
religious apathy in the country at large, that he exercised his ministry; so
that, even among men of his own views and spirit, he was not singular in
not being permitted to witness an extensive revival of religion in conneo-
tion with his labours. It seems to have been a source of constant uneau-
ness and grief to him, that his success was so limited; and yet there were
a goodly number who connected their hopeful conversion with his instrumen-
tality.
But Mr. Smith's usefulness was by no means confined to his own imme-
diate congregation. In 1750, shortly after his settlement in the ministry,
he was appointed a Trustee of the College of New Jersey, and exerted an
important influence in aid of the interests of that infant Seminary. He was
also early chosen Olerk of the Board of Trustees, and continued in that
office till the removal of the Oollege to Princeton. After the death of
President Edwards, he was chosen President pro tempore^ and for several
months occupied that important station with much dignity and ability.
He was an active and useful member of the ecclesiastical bodies with
which he was connected. He not only judged correctly but spoke well.
He was, for many years. Stated Olerk of the Presbytery, and usually con-
ducted its correspondence, espemally in regard to all matters of pecuUar
delicacy or difficulty. He had a happy talent at reconciling differences —
at preventing threatened disruptions, and restoring harmony where it had
been temporarily interrupted.
Mr. Smith ranked among the more popular preachers of his day. In
the early part of his minbtry, he wrote his sermons out with great care;
but, in the latter part of it, a large portion of his preaching was extempo-
raneous, so &r as the language was concerned, though he never fidled care-
fully to consider and digest his subject. His voice was clear and pleasant,
though somewhat monotonous; and his manner in the pulpit was affection-
ate and fervent, without any of the show of oratory. He became, at one
period, the subject of violent nervous and vertiginous affections, which occa-
sioned him serious embarrassment in his public services, and sometimes even
obliged him to support himself by holding to the pulpit. The only Sermon
he ever published, was one on the death of President Burr, which is said
to have been written at a peculiarly inauspicious moment, and to have been
but a poor sample of his ordinary preaching. It is, however, a very respeo*
table performance.
in the beginning of October, 1762, he waa seised with a dysentery,
which proved the means of terminating his life. In the early part of- his
iUness, his mind, though not greatiy clouded, was not entirely free from
anxious thoughts; but, at a later period, he obtained a degree of oonfidenbe
in the merits and the pronuses of his Redeemer, that cast out idl ftar, and
put him in possession of a serene and triumphant joy. His people evinced
l^g PRESBTTEBIAK.
ibeir warm attaoliinent to him, and thoir inteiesi in tie preaeiTation of his
life, by obMiring the Tnesdaj preceding Ma death as a day of feating and
prayer ; on whidi oeoasion, Uiey called in the aaaiiitanoe of several of the
neighbouring miniatera, to one of whom he expressed an nndonbting aasa«
ranoe that he shonld soon be mingling in the praises and enjoyments of
Heayen. On the Friday morning following, at a very early honr, peroeiy-
ing that the closing scene had come, he gathered his family around him,
and took his final leave of them, commending them in fervent prayer to the '
providence and grace of Gh)d. After this, he requested that his little son
should be brought . and laid in his arms ; and, as he was too weak to be
able to life his arm, he desired some one to ndse it and lay it over the
child; which being done, he very affectionately invoked the Divine blessing
upon him. He expired about six o'clock, the same morning, (October 20,
1762,) aged thirty-eight years and ten months.
His funeral was attended, on the Sabbath following, by a large concourse
of people, among whom were a number of ministers. In the morning, one
of the ministers preached from Philippians i, 21 ; in the afternoon, another
preached from Bsekiel xui, 80.
• In September, 1748, Mr. Smith was married to Martha, youngest daugh«
ter of the Rev. Jonathan Dickinson of Elisabethtown, — a lady whose char^
acter is thus described by oi^e of her contemporaries: — "She was superior
to most of her sex in strength of genius; her intellectual powers were
quick and penetrating; she had a thirst for knowledge, and was greatly
delighted in reading. Kindness, care, and friendship, composed her naturid
tamper: she was an agreeable companion, very obliging in her behaviour,
and admired and loved by all who had the happiness of her acquaintance.
As she was blessed with an early religious education, so the things of eternity
began betimes to exercise her : she had serious impresnons upon her mind
even from her childhood, and began a course of secret prayer while young.
And, although she was subject to melancholy at seasons, and consequently
to fears and doubts about her spiritual state, yet, towards the latter part of
her Ufe, she had much greater satisfaction." With this excellent lady Mr.
Smith lived nearly eight years, when, aftier a lingering disease of about a
year, she was taken from him, in August, 1767, at the age of thirty-one, —
leaving three children, all of them daughters. A little more than two
years after this bereavement, — in October,' 1769, he was married toBe-
becca, daughter of the "Honourable Major" Foote of Branford, Conn.
She is spoken of as having been "endowed with many agreeable virtues to
render her an amiable companion ;" but the fact that she was still living,
when this reference to her character was made, was doubtless the reason
why nothing more remains concerning her tiian this passing allusion. He
had one son by his last marriage, — the child above referred to, as being
lifted into his fether's arms to receive his dying benediction. The descend-
ants of Mr. Smith are among the most respectable people in New Jersey,
one of whom is the Hon. Henry W. Green, the present (1849) Ghief Jus-
tioe of the State.
The only extended notice of Mr. Smith that remains, is a pamphlet of
mbout sixty pages, printed at Woodbridge, N. J., in 1768, entitled "A
Brief Account of the life of the late Bev. Caleb Smith, A. M., minister of
«be Sospel at Newatk Mountains, who died October 22, 1762; chiefly
CALEB SMTCH. ]^9
eziraeted from Iiib diaiy and other prhrftte papen« Heb. ?L 11, 12." Tha
pamphlet oontaba oomparatiTely few facta, being ohiefly ooeapied with tha
zeoord of his private religiona exercises, eyinobg a remarkable degree of
spiritoality and dcTOtion.
JOHN BRAINEBD *
1747_1781.
John Bbainxrd, a son of the Hon. Hesekiah and Dorothy (Mason)
Brainerd, was born at Haddam, Oonn., Febroaiy 28, 1719-20. He wa^
probably fitted for College by his brother, the Rev. Nehemiah Brainerdt of
Eastbnry, a parish in the town of Glastenbnry. He was graduated at Yale
Oollege in 1746. Daring his collegiate course, his brother David, in hb
letters, warned him agabst that spurious religious experience that is toO
often found in connection with great religions excitemeots. But when he
supposed himself to be converted, or when he made a pnblio profession of
religion, or with what church he originally connected himself, cannot now
be ascertained. Probably his first membership was with the church in his
native place ; but, as the Records of that church at the period referred to
are lost, nothing beyond conjecture is now attainable. It would seem,
however, that he mnst have had the ministry in view during lus college
course ; for within a few months after his .graduation, he had commenced
preaching, and was actually engaged as a missionary among the Indians.
The following letter, covering a considerable part of John Brainerd'a
missionary life, was addressed by him to Mrs. Elisabeth Smith, the wife of
the Hon. William Smith, and previously the wife of Oolonel Slisha Williams,
once Rector of Tale Oollege. It has never before been published, and
doubtless contains the fullest, as well as most authentic, narrative of his
self-denying labours, that is now extant.
Beothbbxov in Hew Jersey, Angnst 24, 1761.
Madam : According to my promise, I here send a particular account of
the Indian miarion in this Provmce, which, for some years, has been the
object of my care. I shall take a brief view of it from its first rise and
foundation.
In 1748, my brother and predecessor, Mr. David Brainerd, being
employed by the Oorresponding members of the Honourable Society in
Scotland for propagating Christian Elnowledge, entered on the arduous hudr
ness of Christianising the Indians, and for that end, on the 1st of April,
arriyed at Kaunaumedc, an Indian settlement about twenty miles from SUhAl"
bridge Northwest. At this place he continued about the space of a year;
and having so far gained upon these Indians as that he could persuade thepii
to move to Stockbridge, and settle themselves under the ministry of the
Rev. Mr. Sergeant, he, by the direction of the Correspondents, removed
• MS. ftmn Rer. Dr. Field.— AU«ii*i Bioc. IMot.— W«birtw'f MSS.
t Nbhbkzah Bsaivbbd wm ft daUts of HaddMn; mm gndmUtd at Tato CU]^ in 1^|
WM ordaioed pMtor of the Seoood OoDmgaUoiua Ohuxeh in GlMtenbniT, (Butimxj) iktuu.
In April, mOitoA died Kovember 9^ US,
150 PBSSBTIXBUK.
tOt Ihe Vorki of Dekware .in femmjl^uiitu AnioDg' ^tlieiMi Ijidi«ii^ ha
■pent a little more than a 7ear>; had jeme .j^noonragbg appeafenoeSy^h^t no
Tory great Bnooen. He then took a joomey of abont thirty miles to a set-
tlement of Indians at Crosweeksnng in this Frovinoe ; where it pleased the
Lord greatly to smile npon his endeavonrs, and in the most remarkable
manner to open the eyes of the poor sayages, and tnm them from the power
of Satan to God, as appears at large by his printed Journal.
Partly with those Indians, partly at the Forks of Delaware, and partly
on the banks of Sosqnehanna, (where he made no less than dye jonmeys
first and last,) he spent near two years, till he was so fur gone in a oon-
Bomption as rendered him utterly unable to offidate any longer.
But by this time a number of the Indians had remoyed firom these
Northern parts ; the Indians also at Crosweeksnng had left that plaoe, and
settled themselyes on a traet of land near Oranberry,.£ur better for eqltiyar
tiop, and more commodious for such a number as were now oolleeted into
one body.
In this situation I found the Indians when I arriyed among them, at their
new settlement called Bethel, which was about the middle of April, 1747.
And this summer I offidatod for my brother, who took a journey to the
Eastward, thinking that possibly it might be a means of recoyering his
health. But his distemper had taken such hold of his yitals, as not to be
diyerted or remoyed by medicine or means. He was, on his return from
Boston to New Jersey, detained at Northampton by the increase of his dis-
order, and there made his exit out of a world of sin and sorrow, and no
doubt entered upon a glorious and blessed in|mortality, ihe October
following.
The work of Diyine grace still went on among the Indians, although those
extraordinary influences that appeared for a time, had begun some months
before to abate, and still seemed gradually going off, but the good effects
of them were abiding in numbers of instances.
About this time, a mortal sickness preyatled among the Indians, and
carried off a considerable number; and especially of those who had been
religbusly wrought upon ; which made some infidels say, as in the days of
Oonstantine, that it was because thoy had forsaken the old Indian ways and
beeofne Christians. This seemed to be a mysterious frown of Diyine Pro-
yidence.
Some time after my brother's decease, the, Correspondents requested ine
to- take the charge of the Indians, which I consented to ; and in February,
1748, was ordained, and soon after had the Society's commission sent me
finMn Scotland, and continued in their seryice for seyeral years. And
although we lost, at seyeral tunes, by sickness, near or quite half that had
been admitted to baptism when I came, yet, upon the whole, the church
rather inoressed, — ^numbers bebg added from tune to time. At one time,
we had between forty and fifty members in full communion.
We likewise had a large English school, which sometimes consisted of
aboye fifty children, who learned to read, write, repeat Catechisms, Ac.; and
some that gaye hopes of being sayingly oonyerted while they were yeiy
young, but did not liye to giye us the best eyidence of such a work (^
Diyine grace.
We had likewise begun a spinning school for the girls, and were about
forming a plan to bring up the boys to business, and seyeral were already
JOHH BRAIH SBD. X51
out to learn trades, when the proprietors laid olatm to the land, aod sued
the Indians for trespass, which put an end to oar schemes, and threw all
into confasion.
We then tamed oar thoughts towards Sasqaehanna, and were attempting
to proride a settlement for the Indians there, when, hostilities breaking out
on the frontiers, the most barbarons murders were committed, which entirely
defeated our design, and pat a final stop to all farther attempts of that
nature.
And now ihbgs being in such a situation, the Oorrespondents thought
proper to dismiss me from the Society's serrice, which they did in May,
1765.
I was then in New England, and upon my return had an invitation to
Newark, which, with the advice of the Presbytery, I accepted ; moved with
my family, and continued there till June, 1766, when the Oorrespondents,
thinking they had a prospect of procuring this land on which the Indians
are now setUed, requested me to resume the misnon, with which I com-
plied; and giving up the call I had, to settle at Newark, moved with my
family to Brunswick, being the best place I could now fix upon to accom-
modate the Indians in their present situation, till the land for their settle-
ment could be procured. In this situation I continued till September, 1767,
when the Correspondents being disappointed, and seeing no way to procure
the land, dismissed me a second time ; and the oongregation at Newark,
having continued all this time unsettled, renewed their mill to me the next
week, which I soon after accepted, moved again with my family, and settied
there. In this settied state, I remained but a littie while ; for in March,
1769, (in consequence of a treaty with the Indians, and this land purchased
and secured to tiiem by the Government,) I was requested by Mr. Bernard,
the then Governor of this Province, and the Society's Oorrespondents, at a
joint meeting at Perth Amboy, again to resume the mission. I took their
proposals under consideration, and in the May following, laid the matter
before the Synod at Philadelphia, and with the unanimous advice of that
venerable body, gave up my diarge at Newark, and embarked once more in
the cause of the poor Indians.
About this time, I made the Indians a visit at their new settlement, and
procured some supplies for them by order of Synod, during my absence in
the army, and upon my return, the November following, fixed myself down
among tiiem, where I have steadily resided ever since.
I had repeated promises from Gfovemor Bernard of a comfortable, decent
house for the place of my residence, as also an house for the public worship
of Ch>d. But promises were all I could ever get towards either : and when
I came- to think of moving here, was obliged to sell almost all my house-
hold furniture, because I had no place to put it in. And the loss I hereby
sustained, together with the losses and expenses in my several removes
was about £160 damage to my estate, besides all the fatigue and trouble
that attended the same.
And as this movable state of afiairs has been greatly to mj disadvantage,
it eertainly has been no less to the oongregation. The Indians havjs, every
year, since the commencement of the war, enlisted into the king's service
&r beyond the proportion; and generally more or less, every campaign,
have died in the army.
102 PBESBTTERIAH.
In 1757, we lost near twenty, taken captiTe at Fort William Henry, and
bnt three or four have erer retomed to this day, so that oar nnmber is
greatly redaoed.
On this spot, which is a fine, large tract of land, and yery commodioosly
situated for their settlement, there are something upward of an hnndred,
old and yonng.
About twelve miles distant^ there is a small settlement of them, perhaps
near forty. About seyenteen miles farther, there is a third, containing pes*
sibly near as many more. And there are some few scattering ones still about
Orosweeksung. And if all were ooUected they might possibly make two
huudred.
I spend something more than half my Sabbaths here at Brotberton ; the
rest are divided. At thb place, I have but few white people. The reason
JA because this is near central between Delaware and the Sea, and the
•Bnglish settlements are chiefly on them. The other places are in the midst
of the inhabitants, and whenever I preach there, I have a large number of
white people, that meet to attend Divine service. But besides these, I have
preached at eight different places on Lord's days, and near twenty on other
days of the week, and never fail of a considerable congregation. So large
and e^^temuve is this vacancy.
Two large counties, and a considerable part of two more, almost wholly
destitute of a preached Qospel, (except what the Quakers do, in their way,)
and many of the people but one remove from a state of heathenism.
As to the success that has attended my labours, I can say but little. It
is a time wherein the influences of the Divine Spirit are mournfully with*
held. I think, however, I have ground to hope that some good has been
done among both Indians and white people; and the prospects of further
uaefnlness are very considerable, if proper means could be used. But such
is the state of this country — there is such a mixture of Quakers and several
other denominations, and so many that have no concern about religion in any
jKhape, that very little can at present be expected towards the support of the
QospeL For my own part, I never have thought proper to take one single
&rt^g yet, in all my excursions, fearing that it might prejudice the minds
of some, and so, in a measure, frustrate the design.
At this place, where most of the Indians are settled, we greatly want a
jchool for the children. When I built the meeting-house last year, I pro-
vided some materiab also for a school-house, and in the fall addressed the
Iiagislature of this Province for some assistance, not only for the support
of a school, but for the erecting of a small grist-mill, a blacksmith's shop,
«nd a small trading store, to furnish the Indians with necessaries in
exchange for their produce, and so prevent their running twelve or fifteen
miles to the inhabitants for every thing they want, whereby they not only
consume much time, but often fall into the temptation of calling at dram*
houses, (too frequent in the country,) where they intoxicate themselves with
spirituous liquors, and, after some days perhaps, instead of hours, return
home, wholly unfit for any thing relating either to this or a future world.
The •Governor, the Oouncil, ihe Speaker of the House of Assembly, and
severaliof the other members, thought well of the motion, and recommended
.it; but the Quakers, and others in that interest, made opposition ; and being
the greater part of the House, it finally went against us. If the same could
be done some other way, it would be the best step towards the end pro*
JOHN BRADTEBD. ^^3
posed, and be the most likely to invite not only the Indians at these other
small settlements above mentioned, but those also who live in more distant
parts of the country.
Thus I have touched upon the most material things relative to this mis-
sion, and I fear, tired your patience with my long epistle. And now, that
all needed provision may be made for the promotion and perfecting of this
good work among the Indians, and you among others be made an happy
instrument of the same ; that many &ithfnl labourers may be thrust forth,
and all vacant parts of the harvest be supplied; that this wilderness
in particular may be turned into a fruitful field, and even the whole earth
be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, is the fervent prayer of
Madam, your most obedient, humble servant,
' John Brainxbd.
P. S. Since my settlement here, I have been obliged to advance above £200
for the building of the meetmg-house, for some necessary repairs of an old
piece of an house that was on the spot, and for my support and other neces-
sary expenses.
To Mrs. Smith.
In January, 1768, Mr. Bndnerd went, as the agent of New Jersey Ool-
lege, in company with the Bev. Caleb Smith of Newark Mountains, to
solicit the Council convened at Stockbridge, to advise and sanction the
removal of Jonathan Edwards to the Presidency of that institution. The
Council, at the request of the English and Indian Congregations at Stock-
bridge, wrote to the Commissioners at Boston to appoint Brainerd to suc-
ceed Edwards ; and also wrote to the Trustees of the College to exert Aeir
influence in the same direction ; but the suggestion does not appear ever to
have taken effect.
He resided for some time at Mount Holly, where he had a meeting-house,
which was burnt by the British in the Revolutionary war. Several other
places also shared his services, either regularly or occasionally. In 1767,
the Synod granted him twenty pounds beside Ids salary for "his extraordi-
nary services in forming societies, and labouring among the white people in
that large and uncultivated country ; " and the same grant was received the
next year. From 1760 to 1770, he received from the congregations
between Egg Harbour and Manahawken fifty-nine pounds and nineteen shil-
Ibgs, — ^having preached to them five hundred times. He continued to sup-
ply these numerous vacancies until 1777, when he removed to Deerfield, and
preached there durbg the rest of his life. He died on the 18th of March,
1781, aged sixty-one years; and his remuns repose beneath the floor of the
Deerfield Church.
Mr. Brainerd was married in November, 1762, to Experience Lyon, who
became the mother of three children, two of whom died very young. The
surviving child, — a daughter, lived to become the mother of a family. Mrs.
Brainerd died in 1757 ; after which, he was married to Mrs. Experience
Price, who died August 28, 1798, leaving no issue.
The Rev. Dr. Field, who was for many years minister of the parish in
which Brainerd's parents resided, and who has probably investigated the
history of the family more carefully thai^ any other person, says — *' In per-
son John Brainerd was rather tall. The tradition in Haddam is that he
was as pious a man as his brother David, but not equal to him in ability.
Vol III. 20
154 PBESBmBUV.
He vas diBtingiiifllied for, exiuiitoesa aadpTopriety in aveiy tluag; traTelled
jDiioh ; oonversed. much on religion with bidiftDB end whiieS) wherever he
went, and did good to all men as he had opportunity. Of the death of hia
wife he writes as foUowsr-' My dear wife, after a long and painfnl siokness,
departed the 17th of September, 1767, — ^the greatest loss I ever sustained —
the most sorrowftil day my eyes ever saw. May Ood sanetify the heavy
stroke to me and my UtUe babes, support me under it, and make up the
great loss to us in spiritual and Divine blessings. Dust thou art and unto
dust thou shalt return. Having a desire to depart and be with Ohrist,
which is far better. She has exchanged a vale of tears for a orown of glory.
Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord ; they rest from their labours, and
their works do follow them.' "
JOHN KODGERS, D. D.*
1747—1811.
John Rodox&b was bom in Boston, on the 6th of August, 1727. He
was a son of Thomas and Elisabeth Kodgers, who emigrated from Lon-
donderry, Ireland, to Boston in 1721. Li 1728, they transferred their
residence to Philadelphia, when the subject of this sketdi was a little more
than a year old.
While he was yet a child, he evinced an uncommon love of knowledge,
and a thoughtful habit of mfaid in respect to his eternal interests. It was
under the preaching of Whitefield that he became first permanently impressed
with the truths and obligations of religion. On one occasion, while White-
field was preaching in the evening, on the outside of the steps of the Oourt
House in Market Street, young Bodgers was standing near him, and holding
a lantern for bis accommodation ; when he became so deeply impressed with
the truth to which he was listening, that, for a moment, he forgot himself,
and the lantern fell from his hand, and was dashed in pieces. Some time
after he was settled in the ministry, Whitefield being on a visit to his
house, — Mr. Bodgers alluded to tlus incident, and asked him if he recol-
lected it. *' Oh yes," Ireplied Whitefield, *' I remember it well ; and have
often thought I would give almost any thing in my power to know who that
Utile boy was, and what had become of him." Mr. Bodgers replied with a
smile,— <« / am that littfe boy." Whitefield burst into tears, and remarked
that he was the /ouitsenfA person tiien in the ministry, whom he had dis-
covered in the course of that visit to America, of whose hopeful conversion
he had been the instrument.
From the period when he believed the principle of reUgion was formed in
his soul, he set his heart upon the ministry as his ultimate profession ; and
to this his studies began immediately to be directed. Having remained a
few months at a grammar school in Philadelphia, under the care of a Mr.
Stevenson, a celebrated teacher then recentiy from Ireland, he was removed
to another grammar school^ established shortly before, on the Neshaminy, a
fsw miles fr6m Philadelphia, by the Bev. Mr. Boan, an enunent Presbyte-
• M«moln bj Dr. ]im«r.— Dr. Phinini' Two DiioouMi en the opanlof of the TnAjUakia
daoA In WiU itnei.— Wetettt*! USB;
JO0K BDBOSBS* 125
riaa oUrgynum. H^re ho. oontintied aboui two yeani dJBtiiigiiidiM ralik^
for his diligenoe in atudj, his ozemplATy deportment, and Ub fervent xeal
in the oanee of religion. In the snmmer of 1748, at the age of sixteen, ho
was transferred from Mr. Boan's school to an Aoademy of high reputation
at Vagg's Manor, in Ohester Oonntj, Pa., nnder the care of the Bey. Sam-
uel Blair, one of the most respectable scholars and diyines of his day.
Here he completed his aeademicid studies, and made some progress in The-
ology. While he was connected with this institution, he was brought into
intimate relations with several indiyiduals, who afterwards obtained yery
considerable celebrity in the ministry ; among whom was the Bey. Samuel
Dayies, who died President of the College of New Jersey. Haying pmv
sued his theological studies for some time under Mr. Blair, he returned to
his Other's in Philadelphia, and completed his preparation for the ministry,
under the direction of Gilbert Tennent. In June, 1747, he appeared
before the Presbytery of Newcastle, and entered on the usual trials for
licensure ; and, having passed these trials, was licensed in October fol-
lowing.
During the winter after his licensure, he was occupied, by direction of
the Presbytexy, in supplying some of the vacancies under their care ; but
in the spring he accompanied his friend, Mr. Samuel Davies, to Yirginia,
with an intention to share with him, for a few months, the labours of the
ministry in that destitute region. As the Episcopal Church was then estab-
lished by law in Yirginia, and no other denomination tolerated, except by
explicit consent of the government, he made application, immediately on his
arrival at Williamsburg, for permission to exercise the functions of the minis-
try; and though the Governor received him with great kindness, and did
every thing in his power to further his wishes, yet the General Court utterly
refused even to allow the reading of his testimonials, — a necessary pre-requi-
site to his receiving the desired license. Being thus disappointed in not obtain-
ing permission to labour in Virginia, he passed over to Somerset County in
Maryland, where he spent the summer of 1748, enjoying the hospitalities of
many aocompUshed and excellent families, and preaching in various places,
as he had opportunity. His labours during the season were generally
highly acceptable, and in some instances were crowned with a signal bles-
sing.
Early in the autumn of 1748, Mr. Bodgers returned to Pennsylyania,
and when he attended the meeting of his Presbytery in October, he found
no less than four calls waiting for his consideration. He chose the one
from the Congregation of St. George's; which, though the least promising
on the score of temporal support and comfort, still seemed to have the
strongest claims upon him, on the ground that the prosperity, if not the
continued existence, of the. congregation was thought to depend upon his
acceptance of it. Accordingly, he was ordained to the work of the minis-
try, and installed pastor of the church of St. George's, on the 16th of
March, 1749. The sermon on the occasion was preached by the Bey. Dr.
Vinley.
His labours in his new charge were attended, from the beginning, with
marked success. While he was most diligent in eyery department of pas-
toral duty, he had the pleasure to see the number of his hearers eonstahtly
increasing, and not a few, as he hoped, savingly profited hy bia ministry.
The congregation soon became too numerous to be accommodated in thdr
156 FBB8BTTKBIAV.
plaoe of wonhip; and they enlarged it repeatedly in the ooorse of a fe#
yean; while he was eonstantly growing in the affeoti6n and eonfidenoe of
all around him. In one of the earliest oateehetieal exercises which h^ held
for the benefit of the children of his congregation, he met a youth by the
name of Alexander MoWhorter, the promptness and correctness of whose
answers attracted his particular notice, and laid the foundation of an affec-
tionate mtimacy between them that was terminated only by death. This
lad afterwards became the Bct. Dr. MoWhorter of Newark, N. J.
Besides the Congregation of St. George's, Hr. Bodgers had under his
care a small congregation near the village of Middletown, i)e., then gene-
rally known as " the Forest Congregation." Here he laboured one-third
of his time, and with manifest tokens of the Divine &vour.
In the great controversy which, for many years, agitated the Presbyte-
rian Church, and in 1741 rent it asunder, Mr. Bodgers was not a mere
spectator. His sympathies were altogether with the "New Side," or the
'* New Lights," as they were called; and, considering that he had been
trained in the school of Whitefield, it would have been strange if it had
been otherwise. When a reunion took place in 1758, he had been about
nine years in the ministry. It was an event in which he fdt the deepest
interest, as having in his view a most important bearing on the welfiare of
Christ's Elingdom.
In September, 1762, — between three and four years after his settlement
at St. George's, Mr. Bodgers was married to EUiabeth, eldest daughter of
Colonel Peter Bayard, of Cecil County, Md. She was every way fitted for
her station, and became the mother of four children; one of whom was Dr.
John B. B. Bodgers, — an eminent physician of New Tork, and another
was the wife of the Bev. Dr. William M. Tennent of Abington, Pa.
In 1768, the Bev. Messrs. Samuel Davies of Yirg^ni* and Gilbert Ten-
nent of Philadelphia were commissioned by the Synod of New Tork to
visit Great Britain, with a view to solicit contributions in aid of the Col-
lege of New Jersey. As the Synod undertook to supply their respective
pulpits during their absence, Mr. Bodgers was sent, in the spring of 1764,
to supply the pulpit of Mr. Davies. In consideration of the rude treat-
ment to which he had been suljeoted on his previous visit to Virginia, he
was apprehensive that he might still meet with some embarrassment from
the same source. But herein he was agreeably disappointed: he was received
with marked respect and kindness, and suffered to proceed in the discharge
of his duty without molestation. He remained in Virginia several months.
Mr. Bodgers had now acqmred such general popularity that, towards the
^ose of the same year, (1764,) he was earnestly requested to visit New
York, with reference to finding there a permanent setUement. The Pres-
byterian Church in that dty had fidlen into a state of unhappy disunion;
and it was hoped that a person of his popular talents and conciliatory dis-
positions and manners might be instrumental in restoring peace. His
attachment to his people, however, together with the doubt which he fdt in
respect to the issue of the proposed change, led him to decline the invi-
tation.
In 1762, Mr. Bodgers was appointed by the Synod of New York and
Philadelphia to visit Ghreat Britain, to soUcit bene&otions in aid of the
establishment of a ** fund for the reUef of poor and distressed Presbyterian
ministers, their widows and children." This important and honourable mi»;
JOHN BODOSBS. l-^J
Bion, howeyer, the state of hia fiimUy obliged Urn to decline ; and ih^ Ser.
CliarleB Beatty, another eminent miniater, was appointed in his place.
On the 20th of January, 1768, Mr. Bodgers was called to monm the
death of his wife, — an affliction of which he often spoke, to the close of his
life, with the utmost tenderness and sorrow. After somewhat more than a
year and a half from the time of her death, he entered into a second matri-
monial connection with Mrs. Mary Grant, the widow of William Grant, an
eminent merchant of Philadelphia. By this marriage, he had one child, a
daughter, who died scYcral years before her parents. Mrs. Bodgers sur-
vived her husband, and died on the 16th of March, 1812, in the eighty-
eighth year of her age. Of this lady Dr. Miller, who knew her well, says, —
" Her great firmness of mind, her remarkable prudence, her polished and dignified
. manners, her Bingnlar Bvreetness and eyenness of temper, Joined with fervent piety,
endeared her to all that had the happiness of her acquaintance, and rendered her an
excellent model for the wife of a clergyman."
In 1766, he was elected one of the Trustees of the College of New
Jersey. This office he continued to hold, discharging its duties with most
scrupulous fidelity, till 1807, when, with characteristic disinterestedness, he
resigned it, that a younger and more active person might be appointed in
his place.
In the early part of the year 1766, he received two calls, — one from the
Oongregation in New York then just vacated by the death of the Bev.
David Bostwick, — and another from a Isrge and important Congregational
Church in Charleston, S. C. Mr. Whitefield, who happened to visit him
about that time, gave it as his decided opinion that the indications of Provi-
dence were in favour of his removal, but was doubtful in which direction he
ought to go. The question, — which call he should accept, was finally
referred to the Synod ; and after a patient investigation of the comparative
clums of the two congregations, they decided almost unanimously in favour
of the Congregation in New York. Accordingly, his pastoral relation to
the Church of St. George's was dissolved in May, and his installation as
pastor of the Church in New York took place in September following. The
Installation Sermon was preached by the Bev. James Caldwell of EHzabeth-
town.
Scarcely was Mr. Bodgers introduced to his new sphere of labour, before
the infiuence of his ministrations became perceptible, not only in the rapid
growth of the congregation, but in a greatly increased attention to religious
tilings. It became necessary, at no distant period, to erect a new place of
worship ; and measures were accordingly taken for this purpose early in the
spring of 1766. Within about fifteen months, the building wss completed,
— ^the same which still stands at the comer of Beekman and Nassau Streets,
and is known as *' Dr. Spring's Church." A large part of the fiinda requisite
for this enterprise were collected by the personal applications of Mr.
Bodgers. The Congregation, though now worshipping in two buldings, was
still considered as one body. The ministers preached alternately in each
building; and tiiere wss but one Board of Trustees, and one Eldership.
In 1768, Mr. Bodgers was honoured with the degree of Doctor of
Divimty by the University of Edinburgh. Dr. Franklin, who was at that
time in London, wrote, at the suggestion of Mr. Whitefield, to Principal
Bobertson, recommending Mr. Bodgers as a suitable person to receive snch
an honour; and, without any unnecessary delay, the request was complied
with.
158 PRESBTTEBIAK.
la iks BoiiDLiAer of 1768, Dr. Witherspoon arriTed from Sobtlwd, hmring
& short time before been oalled to the Presidenoy of the OoUege of New
Jersey. Dr. Rodgers was unong the first to do him honour; and he never
oeased to regard him with the most affectionate respect. The year after his
arriyal, he accompanied him on a visit to Boston, and other parts of New
England, from which both of them seem to have derived great enjoyment.
Dr.. Bodgers, who survived his venerable friend many years, preached a
Sermon on the occasion of his death, by request of the Trustees of the
College over which Dr. Wiiherspoon had presided. The Sermon was pub-
lished, and is thought to have been the most creditable, in a literary point
of view, of Dr. Bodgers' printed productions.
In 1774, Dr. Bodgers was appointed by the Synod to make a missionary
tour of a few weeks during the summer, through the Northern and North-
western parts of the Province of New York. He fulfilled the appointment
in a laborious and &ithfal manner, and with considerable success. This
mission occurred just at the time of the violent controversy between the
settlers of the territory which is now Vermont, and the government of New
York, in respect to the matter of jurisdiction. Some of the incensed Yer-
monters suspected, as he came from New York, that he had some political
end to accomplish, adverse to their interests ; and in one or two instances,
there was a serious purpose formed to arrest him. But the individuals who
had meditated it, were prevailed on to suspend its execution till he had ful-
filled an appointment to preach ; and, after hearing him, they were so much
impressed with his Christian sincerity, that they were disposed to bid him
Gk)d speed in his mission.
Dr. Bodgers was an early and devoted friend to his country's independ-
ence. Previous to the commencement of hostilities, he was associated with
several other clergymen, among whom were Doctors Mason and Laidlie, in
a weekly meeting for friendly intercourse and mutual improvement. As
things were seen to be approaching a crisis, these excellent men determined
to make this meeting an occasion for special prayer that the struggle in
which the country was about to engage might be successfal ; and the meet-
ing was continued, with reference to this object, until the ministers com-
posing it, and the great mass of the people, were obliged to fiy ifor safety
from the city. Dr. Bodgers removed Us family to a place in the neighbour-
hood, in February, 1776. They remained there for about two months;
and he, in the mean time, visited the city, whenever his professional duties
required. On the 14th of April of that year. General Washington took
possession of New York for its defence. Shortly after his arrival, Dr.
Bodgers, with several other gentlemen friendly to the American cause,
called to pay him their respects. The General received him with marked
attention, and, as he was about to retire, followed him to the door, and
remarked that he had been. mentioned to him in Philadelphia as a person
who might be able to render him important service in reference to the cause
of his country, and asked if he would allow him to apply to him for inform
mation whenever he might find it desirable. The Doctor assured him that
he should do with the utmost alacrity whatever might be in his power.
The General subsequently availed himself of the privilege of oonsult-
bg the Doctor on more than one occasion, and it is haidly neoessaiy to
add thai all his suggestions and requests received the most prompt i
tion*
JOHN BODGSBS. IgQ
In May, 1776, Dr. Bodgers removed hiB fiunily from the neighboarliood
of New York to Ghreenfield, Oonn., as a place where they would be more
out of the reaoh of the din and perils of war. Haying been just before
appointed a Chaplain to General Heath's Brigade, which, for seyeral months,
was stationed near Greenwich on York Island, he returned immediately
from Greenfield, and entered on the duties of his Ohaplamoy. These duties
ho performed with great seal and fidelity, exhibiting at once a spirit of
earnest piety and glowing patriotism.
In November of that year, having important private business to transact
in Georgia, he resigned his Chapluncy, and travelled by land through the
whole Southern country to Savannah. He, however, took care to make his
journey instrumental, as far as he could, of the furtherance of the Gospel ;
preacUng not only on the Sabbath, but also on week-day evenings, when-
ever there was an opportunity. At Savannah he remained for some time
with his friend, the Bev. Dr. Zubly, who had shortly before visited him in
New York. Here also he met many of the friends of Whitefield ; and the
intimate relations in which he had stood to that eminent man, were a pass-
port at once to their affectionate regards and devoted attentions.
In April, 1777, Dr. Bodgers returned from Georgia, and on his way
home was informed of his election to the Chaplaincy of the Convention of
the State of New York, then in session in Bsopus. Having paid a short
visit to his &mily at Greenfield, he immediately repaired to the Conven-
tion, and entered on the duties of his office. Subsequently, when the power
of the State was lodged in a Council of Safety, which also held its meetings
in Esopus, he served as Chaplain to that Body also. And at a still later
period, when the first Legislature of the State, under the new constitution,
convened, he was a th.ird time elected to the same office. Meanwhile, he
removed his fEunily from Greenfield to Esopus, where they spent the whole
of the summer, and part of the autumn, of 1777. They were, however, at
length driven from Esopus by the burning of the village by the British ;
and the Doctor determined then to select for them a more retired and less
exposed situation. Accordingly, towards the end of October, he removed
them to Sharon, Conn., where he passed the following winter. During his
sojourn here, he preached repeatedly for the Bev. Cotton Mather Smith, the
minister of the parish in which he resided ; and still more frequently to a
congregation in the town of Amenia, in Duchess County, N. Y., in the
nei^bourhood of Sharon, — ^where he afterwards made a temporary settie-
ment. This latter congregation had, for many years, been agitated by
serious divisions ; but, through the healing infiuence of Dr. Bodgers' min-
istrations, it was restored to its former harmony, besides being in other
respects greatly benefitted and improved.
In April, 1780, the Doctor, to the great grief of the people among whom
he had laboured in Amenia, accepted an invitation to remove to Danbury,
and preach to the Society in that town. Here again he found a divided con-
gregation ; and by his prudence, seal, and fidelity, he accomplished the same
harmonising work as in the congregation to whidi he had previously minis-
tered. He declined being installed pastor of the church, on the ground that
he wbhed to hold himself in readiness, on the return of Peace, to resume
his pastoral charge in New York. He, however, jomed the Congregational
Association withLn whose bounds he resided, and cheerf ally co^pperatod vdth
his brethren around in all their plans for the general advancement of religion.
160 PRESBTTBRIAK.
After remaining at Danbnry somewhat more than two yean, he was led,
by some adrerse cironmstanees, to determine on a ehaoge of lesidenoe.;
and, aocordingly, in the spring of 1782, he accepted an bvitation from the
Ohoroh of Lamington, N. J., to minister to them, as long as Providence
should continue the separation between him and his own people. In May
of that year, he removed from Danbury to Lamington, where he continued,
discharging all the duties of a pastor, till the autumn of 1788, when the
dose of the war permitted him to resume his connection with his Oongrega-
tion in New York, from which he had so long been exiled.
On their return to the city aflter their dispersion, they found their num-
bers greatly diminished, their parsonage burnt, and both their houses of
worship in a state of almost total ruin. They, however, rallied their ener-
gies with a view to recover themselves ; and their first object was to obtain
accommodations for public worship during the time that musi elapse before
their church edifices could be repaired. The Yestry of Trinity Church,
with most honourable liberality, offered them the use of St, George's
and St. Paul's Ohurches, as long as their necessities should require. This
offer they gratefully accepted, and were thus accommodated by their Epis-
copal neighbours, from November, 1788, till the following June. One of
Dr. Bodgers ' earliest sermons, after resuming his ministry in New York,
was delivered on a day of National Thanksgiving and Prayer, and was after-
wards published, bearing the title ''The Divine goodness displayed in ihe
American Bevolution."
The church in Beekman Street was first repaired, and as it was imme-
diately ascertained that one buildbg was quite inadequate to accommodate
the applicants for pews, they set about repairing the church in Wall Street
also ; and in due time both were ready for occupancy. The expense of
repairing the two buildings was very considerable ; but Dr. Bodgers, with
hb accustomed magnanimity, volunteered, as he had done on a former occa-
sion, to do a large part of the drudgery <^ collecting the requisite funds.
The Bev. Mr. Treat, with whom Dr. Bodgers had been associated as
co-pastor, did not, owing to some personal considerations, return to the
city after the close of the war ; and the congregation having signified their
willingness to dispense with the services of a second pastor, he was dis-
missed by the Presbytery in October, 1784. Subsequently, however, as
their numbers increased, it was found that another pastor was needed ; and
the congregation, in April, 1786, called Mr. James Wilson, a licensed can-
didate for the ministry, who had then just arrived from Scotland. He was
installed in August following, as colleague with Dr. Bodgers; but, after
labouring very diligently and acceptably for about three years, his health
beoame so much impaired that he was obliged to seek a Southern climate,
and consequently rerigned his pastoral charge.*
In the summer of 1789, the Bev. (afterwards Dr.) John McKnight, pastor of
the Church in Marsh Greek, Pa., was in^ted to succeed Mr. Wilson; and,
having accepted the invitation, was installed as a collegiate pastor of the tJni-
• Mr. WiLSOV, about the time of reilgning Us cliMrge, reoeired a mU from the PrMbytefiu
Ohnnh in Ohftrloftoo, 8. 0.. when there mm reeeon to beUeTe that holh the oUmeto and the
■erriee required of him womd be more flbToonble to }di health than thoie of Kew-Torics and
he aowMtdinf^y ilanified his aeoeptanee of the eidl on the SSd of Jannaiy, 1788. After spend-
ing sereial years of ministerial eomfort and nssAilness in Oharieston, lie vetnmed to Seotland
where he remained a year or two, and then eame again to Amerloa. He nerer took a pastoial
eharge after this; bat, after stragglina with ill health fbr sereral yean, died in Ylrpid^ in
the yeiar 1799, in the !br^«ei|^th year of his age.
JOHN B0D6SBS. IQl
ted Chturoliefl iritii Dr. Bodgen, in December foUowbg. In the year 1792,
Dr. McKnight*8 health became so much impaired that he was nnable to
preach, as he had been acoastomed to do, three times on the Sabbath, in
oonseqaenoe of which, thej called a third pastor, Mr. Samuel Miller, now
(1849) the Ber. Dr. Miller, Professor in the Theological Seminary at
Princeton. Dr. Miller remained pastor of the church for several years after
the death of Dr. Rodgers, and still cherishes his memory with a truly filial
veneration.
The Legislature of New Tork, shortly after the Reyolution, passed an
Act establishing a Board, styled, '*The Begents of the Uniyersity of New
York,'* — whose office it is, in general, to watch over the interests of litera^
ture throughout the State. Of this University, Dr. Bodgers was chosen
Vice Ohanoellor, and he held the office as long as he lived.
In the revision of the public standards of the Presbyterian Church, and in
all those measures which led to their adoption and establishment on the
present plan, Dr. Bodgers had a highly important agency. And when the
first Qeneral Assembly, under the new arrangement, met in Philadelphia,
in May, 1789, he had the honour of being chosen Moderator of that Body.
In December 1808, Dr. Bodgers gave notice to the Session of his Ohurch
that, " on account of his age and growing infirmities, he was no longer able
to preach more than once on the Lord's day," and requested that the requi-
site additional supply for the pulpit might be furnished. The request was
of course acceded to with the utmost alacrity. Previous to this time, he
had been accustomed to deliver his Sermons menuniter; but findbg that
his memory had begun to &il him, he commenced preaching with his sermon
before him, and continued this practice as long as he continued to preach.
In 1809, he had become so fiur enfeebled in both body and mind, that it was
not without much difficulty that he could go through the service ; and in
September of that year he preached his last sermon. He subsequently
attempted, on one occasion, to officiate at the administration of the Lord's
Supper; but the great imperfection of his memory rendered the service
alike difficult to himself, and painful to those who witnessed it. He con-
tinued gradually to decline, though he occasionally walked abroad, till about
the oloee of the succeeding year, when he became too feeble to leave his
house. For six weeks previous to his death, he was confined to his bed
nearly the whole time; and after his memory had ceased to do its office in
respect to all temporal objects and interests, and even his dearest friends^ it
was almost as vigorous as ever in regard to spiritual and eternal realities.
He prayed with his fiunily for the last time on the evening preceding his
death, and sunk calmly to his rest on the 7th of May, 1811, in the ei^^hty-
fourtb year of his age, and the sixty-third of his ministry. His fimenl
was attended two days afterwards, and an Address delivered on the occasion
by the Bi^v. Dr. Milledoler. A Funeral Sermon was preached on the succeed-
ing Sabbath by Dr. Miller, which was published some time after, in conndb-
tion with the Memoirs of Dr. Bodgers, in an octavo volume.
Besides some misoellaneons artides in connection with the Episcopid con*
troversy, and several Sermons in the '^American Preacher," Dr. Bodgers
published A Sermon befbre a Masonic Lodge, at Stookbridge, Mass.^ 1779;
A:Nati6nal Thanksgiving Seteon, 1788; A SeAnon on the death of Dr.
Witherspoon, 1794; and A Sermon at the opening of the Oeda^ Street
Ohurch, 1808.
Vol. HI. 21
162 FBBSBTTBBIAK.
VROM THE BEY. SAHUSL MILLER, D. D..
FBOfMMB IS TBM SHSOLOOXOAL nXXaiJtT JlT mVOaiOM,
PBiircnov, May 80, 1849.
Rev. dear Brother: When you request me to prepare for yoar fbrthooming
biographical work some brief memorialB of the late Tenerable Dr. Rodgers of
New York, I feel as if I were called not to the performance of a task, but to the
enjoyment of a privilege. If there be a man liying who is entitled to speak of
that eminent servant of Christ, I am that man. Having been long and intimatelj
acquainted with him; having served with him twenty years as a son in the Qos-
pel ministry; and having enjoyed peculiar opportunities of contemplating every
phase of his character, personal and official; so my ardent attachment and deep
veneration for his memory make it delightful to record what I knew with so
much distinctness, and remember with so much interest.
My acquaintance with Dr. Rodgers b^an in 1792> when he was more than
Aixtj years of age, and when I was a youthM and inezperienoed candidate for
the ministry. He recognised in me the son of an old clerical fi>iend, and from
that hour till the day of his death treated me with a fidelity and kindness trulj
paternal. And when, next year, I became his coUeagne, he uniformly continued
to exercise toward me that parental indulgence and guardianship wbich became
his inherited friendship, as well as his Christian and ecclesiastical character.
Without attempting in this connection to enter into the details of his history,
which I have already done at large in my ** Memoir" of this beloved man, I shall
content myself with recounting in a brief manner those features in his character
which 1 regard as worthy of special commemoration, and which rendered him so
conspicuous among the pastors of his day.
One of the great charms of Dr. Rodgers' character was tht firvour and iint-
firmity of his pitiy. It not only appeared conspicuous in the pulpit, — dictating
his choice of subjects, his mode of treating them, and his affectionate earnestness
of manner; but it attended him wherever he went, and manifested itself in what-
ever he did. In the house of mourning it shone with distinguished lustre. Nor
was this all. He probably never was known to enter a human dwelling for the
purpose of paying an ordinary visit, without saying something before he left it to
recommend the Saviour and his service. Seldom did he sit down at the convi-
vial table, without dropping at least a few sentences adapted to promote the
sjnritual benefit of those around him. In all the domestic relations of life, piety
petYhded and regulated his conduct; controlling a temper naturally hasty and
irascible, and prompting to the affectionate courtesies of Christian benevolence.
I well remember a circumstai^ce which, though small in itself, was considered by
an impartial observer as not a little significant. A young clergyman, who had
paid a short visit to the city, and who had enjoyed two or three pleasant inter-
views with Dr. Rodgers, a few years before his death,— «t the close of the last
interview, rose and offered his hand for the purpose of bidding him fiirewell.
The Doctor took it, and squeezing it affectionately^ with a very few simple words
expressive of pious hope and tender benediction, dismissed him. The dei^gyman,
on retiring, inquired whether what he had just witnessed was the Doctor's com-
mon manner of taking leave of his friends; adding that he had seldom seen any
thing so much like the pious and primitive style of an Apostle before.
Another quality in Dr. Rodgers which, next to his piety, contributed to his
high reputation, was prudeneey or practical wisdom. Few men were more waxy
than he in fbreseeing circumstances likely to pi^nce embarrassment or diffi-
culty, and in avoiding them. Few men were more cautious of ** giving*' unneces-
sary " offence that the ministry might not be blamed," or more watehfbl with
xespect to all those modes of exhibiting truth or of performing duty, which are
calculated to conciliate the differently constituted minds of men. Htoce he was
JOHN BODGEBS. 1Q^
able to do a thousand things without exciting the least xesentmenty which manj
others would not Haye accomplished without encountering the most determined
opposition and animosity. And hence he rarely found himself in those perplexing
and painfhl situations^ to which the indiscreet and unwary are so frequentlj
roducedy to the interruption of their own peace, and to the discredit of religion.
He was remarkable also for the witfurm, pirawering and indrfatigal^
eharaeter qf hU miniatmal labowra. In preaching, in catechizing, in attending
on the sick and dying, in all the arduous labours of discipline and government,
and in visiting from house to house, he went on with unceasing constancy, year
after year, from the beginning to the end of his ministry. He not only abounded
in ministerial labours, but he laboured systematically, uniformly, and with
unwearied patience. Difficulties did not usually appal him ; delays did not dis-
courage him. Those who found him busily engaged in pursuing a certain regular
and judicious course at one period, would be sure to And him, after a series of
years, pursuing with steady and undeviating steps the same course. In short,
as his learned friend. Dr. Livingston, has remarked concerning him, he was
literally *' forever the same.*'
The character of Dr. Rodgers' preaching was another of the leading elements
of his popukrity and usefulness. The two qualities most remarkable in his
preaching were piety and animation. His sermons were always rich in evan-
gelical truth; and they were generally delivered with a solemnity and earnestness
which indicated a deep impression on his own heart of the importance of
what he uttered. And hence, though he was never remarkable for that variety,
either in the choice or the illustration of his subjects, which some would have
preferred; and though he never gave himself the trouble to attain that polish
and el^^nce of style to which many lend a large share of their attention, still,
in the days of his vigour, he was one of the most popular as well as useful
preachers in the American Church. No one ever found him affecting novelty in
the representations which he gave of Divine truth, either with respect to their
substance or their modes of expression, because he considered the old as httter;
and in the old track he was found forever walking.
Dr. Bodgers was eminently a dieintereated man. Few men have ever been
more free from private and s^fish aims in acting their part in the affairs of the
Church, than he. Of ecclesiastical policy, other than that which sought to pro-
mote the peace, the order, the purity, the extension, and the happiness, of the
Church, by the most fair and honourable means, he evidently knew nothing.
In petty schemes for diminishing the influence of his brethren that he might
increase his own, or in the arts of intrigue, to play off contending parties or
individuals, as engines for promoting his personal elevation, he was never sus-
pected of engaging. He was always a peace-maker, never a divider. He
r^oiced in the honour and success of his brethren. And when, towards the
dose of his life, some of the young men whom he had been instrumental in
introducing into the ministry enjoyed a measure of popularity, which might be
said in a degree to eclipse his own, his most intimate friends never saw him man-
ifest on tills account the smallest uneasiness. On the contrary, he appeared to
take unfeigned pleasure in witnessing the acceptance of their labours, and in con-
tributing to raise rather than depress their reputation.
Dr. Bodgers was further distinguished by a punctual attendance an thefudi-
catoriee of the Church, He made it a point never to be absent firom the meetings
of his brethren, unless sickness or some other equally imperious dispensation
of Providence rendered his attendance impossible. And when present in the
several ecclesiastical courts, he gave his serious and undivided attention to the
business which came before them, and was always ready to take his fhll share,
and more than his share, of the labour connected with that business. The con-
sequence was that he became personally known to almost all his brethren in the
164 PBBSBTTERIAK.
miniatxy of his own denominaUon in the United States ; that he enjp^red thiir
friendship and confidence; that he kept np a connected and thorough acquaint-
ance with the affairs of the Ghoreh; that he contribated to strongthen the hands
of those with whom he acted; and that thus the sphere both of his honour and
his usefulness was greatly extended.
The great Kberality ijf sintimini which Dr. Rodgers habitually discoyered,
endeared him to thousands, and contributed not a little to the extension of his
influence. Though he was a firm Presbyterian, and a dedded OalTinist, he was
&r from being a bigot. He seldom mentioned the opinions of others in the pul-
pit; but contented himself with declaring, illustrating, and endeayouring to
recommend, what he belieyed to be the doctrines of Scripture. And on one occa-
sion, when he was uiged by some of the officers of his church to preach against
what he regarded the errors of a particular sect, and to warn his people against
them by name, he utterly refused, saying, ** Brethren, you must excuse me. I
cannot reconcile it with my sense either of policy or of duty to oppose these
people fi^m the pulpit, otherwise than by preaching the truth plainly and fiuth-
Ihlly. I belieye them to be in error; but let us out-preach them, out-nray them,
and out-liye them, and we need not fear.''
Dr. Rodgers was remarkably prompt in obeying the calls of hunumity and
btnevolinu. Besides attending to his duty in seyeral religious Societies, of all
which he was President, he fbund time to be one of the most actiye and useful
members of the ** Society for the relief of distressed prisoners," and of the
" Board of Trustees of the Oity Dispensary," in both of which, fbr a number
of years, he presided. He was also a member of the ''Manumission Society "
of New York; and manifested a deep interest in the abolition of slayery, and in
the success of plans for meliorating the condition of slayes. Nor did he, as is
too often done, content himself with being a mere nominal member of those
Associations. As long as he retained his yigour of body and mind, few persons
in the community took a more actiye part than he in promoting and executing
plans of enlightened and diffusiye beneyolence.
Both the reputation and usefulness of Dr. Rodgers were doubtless promoted
by the peculiar and uniform dignity of hit maiMurB. This part of his character
was not only remarkable but pre-eminent. If his manners had sometimes a
degree of formality in them which excited the smile of the friyolous, they
always manifested the polish of the well-bred gentleman, as well as the beneyo-
lence of Ihe Ohristian, and neyer failed to command respect. He was habit-
ually cheerful, and often fecetious and sportiye; but his sportiyeness was always
as remarkable for its taste and dignity as it was for the perfect inoffensiyeness
of its character. There was a uniformity, an urbanity, and a yigiUnoe, in his d%-
nity, which plainly showed that it was not the result of temporary effort, bat
the spontaneous product of a polished, beneyolent and eleyated mind.
I may say also in this connection that he was always aHmtive to hi$ dr€§§.
lake his manners and his morals, it was inyariably neat, elegant and spotless.
He appeared to haye an innate abhorrence of eyery thing like sloyenliness or
disorder about his person. And while there was nothing that indicated an exces-
siye or finical attention to the material or adjustment of his clothing, it was
eyer such as manifested the taste of a gentleman. In this respect, he resembled
his fHend and spiritual fether, Mr. Whitefield, whose sayings and example on
the sulject he not unf^uently quoted, and who often remarked that a minister
of the Qospel, in his dress, as well as in eyery thing else, ought to be '* vnihaui
$pot.*'
The personal appearance of Dr. Rodgers, like eyery thing else about hunt wm
remarkable. His etahire wasyery little, if any, aboye the middle siie. But hii
person wss expanded and thick set, and whenever he appeared in the street, his
neat and becoming profea^nal costume, his large white wig, his yenerabb
JOBSr BODGBBS. X66
ilgarto, and hia dignified, doir» imposed wilk, all prodaiiiiad the grtTeV apo*-
iolie man of (j(od> who was going'io and fro on errandB of meroj: ' ' '
I am, my dear Sir,
Sinoerelj and affeciionatelj yonn,
SAMUSL MILLEB.
ELmU SPENCER, D. D.
1748—1784.
FBOM THB BEY. SAMUEL MILLEB, D. D.
PaiHOsiDV, Aprd, 20, 1849.
Bey. and dear Sir : I am happy, in oomplianoe with yonr request, to send
you some notioes of the Bey. Elihn Spenoer, D. D., who was for many
years the respected and beloyed pastor of the Presbyterian Ohnroh in
Trenton, N. J., and whose deeease in that city, took place in the year 1784.
The ancestors of the family from which this eminent man descended, were
fiye brothers, who emigrated from England to Massachusetts early in the
seyenteenth century. The eldest of these brothers, John Spencer, appears
to haye been a large landholder, a magistrate, a member of the Cfei^eral
Oourt, and a high military officer in Newtown, now Cambridge, from 1684
to 1688, when he returned to England, and seems to haye left no descend-
ants on this side of the Atlantic. William Spencer the second brother,
also settled in Cambridge, where he was a member of the General Court, and
a landed proprietor. He afterwards remoyed to Connecticut, where he died
in 1640, leaying a numerous family. He was the ancestor of the Honour*
able Ambrose Spencer, late Chief Justice of the State of New York.
Thomas Spencer, the third brother, was also first settled in Cambridge, but
remoyed to Connecticut in 1688 ; and died in Haddam, the reridence of his
family, in 1685, leayiug a numerous posterity. The Bey. Ichahod S.
Spencer, D. D., pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Brooklyn, N. Y.;
the Honourable Joshua Austin Spencer of Utica, and several oUier eminent
men bearing that name in the same State, are among his distinguished des-
cendants. The fourth brother, Jared Spencer, originally settled with his bro-
thers at Cambridge. He remoyed thence in a few years to Lynn, and not long
afterwards to Connecticut, when he became one of the first settlers of the
town of Haddam. He died in 1685, leaying a large &mily of children. The
Bey. Elihu Spencer, the subject of this article, and Qeneral Joseph Spencer,
a distinguished and active military officer during the Bevolutionary war,
were among his descendants. The fifth brother, JtftcAoel Spencer, was a
joint proprietor with his brother Jared, and removed with him to Lynn,
where he died in 1658. It is not known to me that any of his posterity
remain.
Elihu Spenoxb, the subject of this sketch, was bom at Bast Haddam,
Conn., February 12, 1721. He was the son of Isaac and Maiy Spencer,
and early manifested an active and energetic mind. He commenced a course
of literary study, with a view to the Oospel ministry, in the month of
March, 1740 ; entered Yale College in September, 1742 ; and was gradu-
ated A. B. in September, 1746. After his graduation, he was recommended
1Q5 FBESBTTERIAK.
and urged to imdortake a ttiisaon among tiie Indiaiui of tlie Six Nations.
His derignation and reoommendation to this offioe oame from snob men as
Dayid Brainerd, whose seal and labonrs among another portion of the Indian
population of ovi oonntiy are known and celebrated thronghoiA the evan-
geUoal world; and Jonathan Edwards the elder, whose reputation and
influence, as a great as well as a good man, are, if possible, still more
widely diffused. On their reoommendation, and under the sanction of the
Society in Great Britain, which had fostered the other missions among the
Indians, he undertook the arduous task. With this view, after leaving
College, ho spent a number of months with the Bey. John Brainerd, the
surviving brother of David, who was also an eminent missionary among the
Indian tribes. Under his direction he employed much time in studying the
langnsge of the In^Uan tribes, to which he contemplated devoting his
labours ; and with so much success that members of his own family have
assured me that he spoke several of the Indian languages with great ease
and fluency. And it is particularly recorded of him that he formed a large
and accurate vocabulary of the language of the Oneida Tribe, which was
deemed of great value. Nor was the study of the Indian languages the only
object of his attention, appropriate to the missionary enterprise which he
had undertaken. He spent some time in the family of President Edwards
at Northampton, availing himself of his experience in Indian missions, and
accompanied that eminent man to Albany, for the purpose of being present
with him at the solemnities of an Indian treaty of much interest, which
was held in that city. He appears also to have spent some months in actual
missionary labour in the Western part of the Province of New York. And
in pursuance of his favourite object, he was solemnly ordained to the work
of the ministry, with a special riew to an In^Uan mission, by an ordaining
council in Boston, in September, 1748.
The leadings of Providence, however, appear to have been such as pre*
vented his accomplishing what he and his friends had anticipated in this
department of evangelicfd labour. After leaving Mr. Edwards, he came to
Elizabethtown, in New Jersey, where he found the Presbyterian Ohurch
vacant in consequence of the death of President Dickinson. Here his
preaching was so acceptable that the congregation gave bun a call to become
their pastor, which he was constrained to accept, and was installed in that
office February 7, 1760, in the twenty-ninth year of his age.
In a little less than a year after settling in the pastoral office in Elisa-
bethtown, Mr. Spencer was married to Miss Joanna Eaton, daughter of
John Eaton, Esquire, and Joanna his wife, of Shrewsbury, in New Jersey.
This took place on the 15th day of October, 1750, when he was in the thir*
tieth year of his age, and when the lady whom he married was in her twenty-
first year. He remabed the pastor of the Church in Blisabethtown about
six years. While there, in 1758, he was invited by Governor Belcher to
become the Chaplain of the New Jersey regiment, employed in the war then
waging with the French and Indians ; which he does not appear to have
accepted. It was during his residence in Elisabethtown that his character
for piety and public spirit prompted the Trustees of the College of New
Jersey, then temporarQy placed at Newark, to elect him one of the Corpo-
rate Guardians of that Institution. This occurred in 1762 ; and he held tiiis
honourable office as long as he lived. In 1756, he left Elizabethtown, and
accepted a call to the pastoral charge of the Presbyterian Church at Jamaica,
ELmn SFENOEB. ]^g>jr
L. I., wliere he remained, acceptably and usefdllj, two years or more. At
the end of that time, he was appointed by Governor De Lancey of New York
to the Ohaplainoy of the New York troops, then about to march and take
their place in the French war still raging. This appointment he appears to
haye accepted; and the Congregation of Jamaica reluctantly gave their con-
sent to his leaying them for that purpose, because they expected their
children, who had enlisted in the military service, to be under his spiritual
care.
When his services as Chaplain in the army were closed, ho transferred his
relation from the Presbytery of Suffolk with which he had been connected,
to that of New Brunswick, and laboured several years in the contiguous
Congregations of Shrewsbury, Middletown Point, Shark Biver, and Amboy.
It was about this time that he addressed a Letter to the Rev. Eira Stiles,
D. D., afterwards President of Tale College, then Pastor of a Church in
Newport, R. I., which was published, and attracted no small share of public
attention. The subject of it was ''The state of the Dissenting Interest in
the Middle Colonies of America." This Letter was originally dated at
Jamaica, July 2, 1759, and there were some Amendments and Additions to it
at Shrewsbury on the 8d of November following. So far as is known to me,
this is the only formal important work that he ever committed to the press.
In the year 1764, the venerable Synod of New Tork and Philadelphia,
having reason to believe that a number of their congregations in the South-
em parts of our country, and especially in North Carolina, were in an
unformed and irregular state, deemed it of great importance to send among
them some divines of known wisdom, prudence, and popular talents,
who might instruct, counsel and guide them aright, and prepare them for a
more orderly and edifying organization. Eor this important, confidential
and arduous service, die Synod selected the Rey. Messrs. Elihu Spencer,
and Alexander MoWhorter of Newark, N. J. They accepted the appoint-
ment ; were employed a number of months on this mission ; and were con-
sidered as havbg rendered, vrith much skill and efficiency, a yery important
service to the Southern Churches.
Soon after Mr. Spencer's return from the South, the Congregation of St
George's in Delaware having become yacantin consequence of Dr. Rodgers,
their former pastor, having accepted an invitation to New Tork, he was
called to succeed him in the pastoral charge. This call Mr. Spencer
accepted, and spent about live years in St. Gkorge's, greatly to the accept-
ance and beuefit of the congregation. Finding the climate, however,
unhealthy to himself, and that his large and growing fetmily was every year
suffering more and more from epidemic disease, he felt constrained to remoye,
and in October, 1769, accepted a call to the city of Trenton, in New Jer-
sey, in the pastoral charge of which church he continued, greatly popular,
useful and beloyed, until he was removed by death.
When the Revolutionary struggle came on, it found Mr. Spencer dili-
gently engaged in his pastoral duties at Trenton, He not only took the
course which almost all the Presbyterian ministers in the United States did,
decisively in fayour of the claims of the Colonies ; but, vrith his constitu-
tional seal and energy, he became warmly and conspicuously engaged on
the patriotic side. This led to another call which was made upon him in
1775, again to visit North Carolina. When he yisited that Colony, ten
years before, by order of the Synod, he and his companion, Dr. McWhortery,
IQg PBESBTTEBIAK.
left saoh an impression of their talents and piety, and espeoially of their
power in addressing and moring large masses of men, that there was a
strong popular desire to engage their serrioes -again for a different purpose.
The Provincial Congress of ^t Colony, having reason to believe that the
population of several important settlements within their limits, were, partly
from ignorance and partly from prejudice in &vour of the British govern**
ment, unfriendly to the cause of Independence, conceived the plan of employ
ing the influence and the patriotic eloquence of the same gentlemen, who
had before so ably served them on an evangelical mission. The request was
made. It was accepted. Dr. McWhorter accompanied Hr. Spencer, and
very valuable services to the cause of Independence were supposed to have
been rendered in that part of the Southern country.
It is hardly necessary to say that these active and conspicuous services ci
Hr. Spencer to the cause of the Whigs greatly embittered towards him the feel-
ings of the Tories. They hated him, threatened him, and on one occasion
committed to the flames a large part of his books, and all his most impor-
tant papers, which happened to &11 into their power. .
In 1782, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the
University of Penosylvania.
His last illness was an inflammatory fever, which terminated his life after a
few days, during which he enjoyed abundant Ohristian support and conso-
lation. His tomb stands in the cemetery connected with the church m
Trenton, and bears the following inscription : —
** Beneath this stone lies the body of the Bev. Elihu Spencer, D. D.,
Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Trenton, and one of the Trustees of
the College of New Jersey, who departed this life on the 27th of Decem-
ber, 1784, in the the 64th year of his age. Possessed of fine genius, of
great vivacity, of eminent active piety, his merits as a minister and a man
stand above the reach of flattery. Having long edified the Church by his
talents and example, and finished his course iridi joy, he fell asleep ftill of
ftith, and waiting for the hope of all Saints."
The accomplishments prominently dwelt upon in this epitaph were really
those which shone conspicuously in Dr. Spencer. His piety was ardent ;
his manners polished, attractive, and full of engaging vivacity; his public
spirit and activity in doing good inde&tigable ; and hb character as a
preacher singularly prompt, popular and impressive. Whenever, at the meet-
ing of any judicatory, the ministers were at a loss about a preacher, when
As appeared, the remark was, — **Here comes ready-money Spencer; now
we shall have a sermon." To all this may be added that in the varioua
relations of Ufe he was peculiarly amiable, exemplary and beloved. But on
anch a character there is no need of enlarging in further detail. It has been
justly remarked by a respectable minister of the (Gospel, who had well con-
sidered his history, "We cannot hesitate to place far above the ordinary
grade, a man whom such men as David Brainerd and Jonathan Bdwards,
the elder, loved and strongly recommended ; who was deemed worthy to
succeed in their pastoral labours such ministers as Jonathan Dickinson and
John Bodgers ; whom two Gtovemors, one not of his own denomination, suo-
oessively appointed to Chaplaincies of a trying and arduous character; who
waa selected by a venerable Synod to perform a service, evidently calling
for peculiar piety, wisdom, and address; and whom an eidightened Provin-
SLmiJ SFSNGSR. jgg
oial OoDgreaa deemed the fittest ioatniment they oonld find, for Moompluh*
ing a meet important and delicate patriotio eeryiee.''
Dr. Spenoer had a large and interesting family of children, a number of
whom sorvived him. He had only odo son who reached adult age,^ — John
Spencer ^ Esqoire, who was bred to the bar, and who died, a number of years
since, leaving seyeral children. His second daughter, Sarahs married
Stephen Lowrey, Bsqmre, a merchant of Maryland, of whidi marriage only
one daughter now surviyes. Hb third daughter, Margaret^ married Jona^
than Dickinson Sergeant, Bsquire, a distinguished member of Congress, and
Oounsellor at the Philadelphia Bar. Of that marriage only three children
suryiye, namely, — the Hon. John Sergeant, and the Hon. Thomas Ser*
geant, eminent Jurists, now residing in Philadelphia, and the eldest daugh**
ter, Sarah, now liviog in Princeton, the wife of him who giyes this account.
Dr. Spencer's fourth daughter, Elizabeth, married Oeorge Merchant,
Bsquire, an eminent dassioal teacher, long since deceased, learing seyeral
children. His fifth daughter, Valeria, was allied in marriage to Bichard
Fullerton, Bsquire, a broker of Philadelphia, of whom no issue suryive.
His sixth, Lydia, was married to William M. Biddle, Esquire, also a broker
of Philadelphia. She is the only one of her Other's children still liying.
She suryiyes, an aged widow, and the mother of seyeral amiable and pro-
mismg children. Dr. Spencer's eldest and youngest daughters died unma^
ried.
I am. Bey. and dear Sir,
Yery sincerely and respectfully yours,
SAMUEL MILLEB.
JOHN MILLER.*
1748—1791.
John Millbk was bom in Boston, December 24, (0. S.) 1722. His
&ther was John Miller, a natiye of Scotland, who migrated to America,
and settled in Boston in the year 1710, and not long afterwards married
Margaret Bass of Braiutree, Mass. He was bred a Presbyterian in his
own country, but connected himself in Boston with the Old South Ohurch,
then under the pastoral care of the Bey. Dr. Pemberton. Little more is
now known of him, than that he was a remarkably graye, shrewd, discreet
man, and that he carried on, for a number of years, and with great success,
a sugar refinery and distillery in Boston.
John Miller, the elder, had two children ; John was the eldest — Joseph,
a younger brother, was neyer married. Soon after reaching mature age, he
embarked on a yoyage of commercial enterprise to Qreat Britain. But the
ship in which he Bailed is supposed to haye foundered at sea. He was neyer
heard of afterwards.
John, the subject of this sketch, was neyer graduated at any Ooll^d.
He receiyed an excellent classical education at a public school of high
•MS. from Ml m, Bcr. Dr. StmiMl IfiUw.
ToL. ni 22
170 FBESBTTBSIAK.
repute in Boston, then under the care of Mr. John Loyell, who for a num-
ber of years muntained a very high oharaeter as a olassioal teacher, and
was the honoured preceptor of a hurge number of the most eminent men of
New England. Here young Miller studied with great diligence, and
became a very accurate Latin and Greek scholar. Toward the latter part
of his connection with Master Lovell's institution, he became decidedly
pious, under the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Sewall, whose praise was in all
the Churches, as a man of preeminent piety and devotedness in the sacred
office, and who had now come into the pastoral care of the Old South. '
With this church he became united. Not long afterwards, he determined
to deyote himself to the Christian ministry; and soon commenced a course
of study preparatory to entering on that office. He now engaged in the
study of the Hebrew language, in which he became a proficient.
In May, 1748, Mr. Miller was licensed t9^reach the Gospel by the Asso-
ciation in the bounds of which he resided. Soon after receinng license, he
travelled into the Colonies of Delaware and Maryland, and, having received
a unanimous call from the Presbyterian Church at Dover in Delaware, he
returned to Boston ; was ordamed to the work of the Gospel ministry,
by a Council of which Dr. Sewall, Mr. Webb, Dr. Mather Byles, and
several other eminent ministers of Boston, were members, and which
convened in the Old South Church. This ordination was with a particular
view to lus taking charge of the Church in Dover, which had called him.
Immediately after his ordination, he repaired to Delaware, and com-
menced his evangelical labours in Dover, and soon afterwards received a
call from the Presbyterian Church of Smyrna, twelve miles North of Dover.
In the service of these two churches, he fixed his residence between them,
fbur miles from Dover. Here, in the retired and exemplary discharge of
his duties as pastor, he spent more than forty years.
Not long after Mr. Miller became fixed in his pastoral relation, he
directed his views to a matrimonial connection ; and, accordingly, on the
8d of November, 1761, he was married to Margaret, the eldest daughter
of Allumby Millington, — a native of England, who had, a number of years
before, settled as a planter in Talbot County, Md., seven or eight miles
from the town of Baston. Of this lady. Dr. Bodgers of New York has
often been heard to say that she was one of the most beautiful women he
ever saw. However this might have been, nothing is more certain than that
her moral beauty was eminently conspicuous, and acknowledged by all who
knew her. She proved such a rich blessing to her husband, her children,
and all with whom she associated, as the pen of biography has rarely an
opportunity of recordbg. Her good sense, her pre-eminent prudence, her
skill and fidelity in every domestic relation, her active benevolence, and,
above all, her unaffected, fervent, consistent piety, rendered her the most
conspicuous ornament of every circle and of every neighbourhood in which
she moved.
Soon after Mr. Miller's settlement as a pastor, he purchased a small &nn
of a hundred acres, on which he resided during the remainder of his life.
This he so managed as to make it contribute something toward the sup-
port of his family, and also to furnish amusement during the intervals of
study.
lb. MiUer^s life as a pastor was passed in retirement, and with few other
occurrences than those which were connected with the unwearied dischaxge
JOHK MILLER. yjl
of tbe duties of the saored office. When he firet settled as a pastor, within
the bounds of the Presbyterian Ohnroh, in 1749, he found it rent into ttro
parties known as the Old and New Side. Being a great lover of peaoe,
he did not at onoe seek a connection with either party; but, at the end of
eight years, — ^namely, in 1767, he became a member of the Presbytery of
Newcastle, and thus connected himself with the Old Side.
Mr. Miller was a punctual attendant on church judicatories as long as he
liyed. He was twice elected Moderator of the Old Synod, then the highest
judicatory of the Church ; — ^an honour which, it is believed, has been con-
ferred in one other instance only, in the whole course of the hbtory of the
Presbyterian Ghurch. He was always a diligent student. He gathered
round him a much larger library than almost any of his brethren in the
ministry possessed; and on all occasions appeared the friend of learning.
In 1763, the OoUege of Philadelphia conferred upon him the degree of
Master of Arts.
As the claims and conflicts of the Oolonies with respect' to the mother
country drew on, Mr. Miller, like almost all his brethren in the ministry
of the Presbyterian Church, with seal and decision, took the side of the
Colonies ; and though naturally of a nervous and timid temperament, yet
here he appeared to be animated with unwonted decision. He was so far
from making any secret of his patriotic ardour, that a few days before the
Declaration of Independence, he so fu anticipated the spirit of that memo-
rable movement, as to address the people of his pastoral charge from the
decisive language of the revolting Tribes in the days of Behoboam : (I.
Kings zii, 16.) *' We have no part in David, nor any inheritance in the Son
of Jesse; to your tents, Oh! Israel!" He continued, to the end of life, a
thorough, sealous, uncompromising Whig.
The temporal circumstances of thk venerable man were never affluent,
and sometimes were uncomfortably straitened. Tet he made out to give
all his sons who reached mature age, a liberal education. He instructed
them himself with great care in the Greek and Latin languages; and, when
he saw that it was desirable, sent five of them to College, where they were
all graduated.
Mr, Miller was a thorough and lealous Calvinist of the Old School. And
though, having been bred a Oongregationalist, he was not so warmly leal-
ous with regard to Presbyterian Church order, yet he cordially fell in with
that form of ecclesiastical government, and declined to co-operate with his
intimate and beloved friend, the Bev. Dr. Matthew Wilson of Lewistown,
in opposing it.
When the Old Synod was dissolved in 1788, and the first Gteneral Assem-
bly met in 1789, Mr. Miller was becoming too infirm to take an active part
in the public affairs of the Church with which he was connected: and he
continued to decline in strength until the 22d of July, 1791, when he was
removed by death in the sixty-ninth year of his age. He was never robust
in health. Tet such was his uniform and strict temperance, and sach the
vigilance of his self-denial, that he was seldom sick, and enjoyed a large
share of physical comfort to the close of life. And he expired at length in
the arms of his children and friends, perfectly resigned to the disposal of
Heaven, and looking with steadfast eyes and humble confidence to the hopes
of a glorious immortality, — after havmg lived to complete, in an uncom-
mon degree, all the essentisl and various duties of a good citiaen, a father
172 FRESBTTBBIAir.
of a funily, a ferrenily pious and exemplavy Ohristiaa, and a fldthful and
devoted miniBter of relij^n.
He had, in all, nine oUldren, — eeren aons and two daiogliten. Of theee,
two died in in&ncj, and six Bunrired htm. Hia eldest son, who bore his
own name, was bred a physician, and, nnder the impnlse ot a goyerning
patriotism, he entered the American army, early in 1776, as a snrgeon;
aady on a hasty jonmey from the camp to Tisit his parents, he was taken ill
and died on the road, Febmary 28, 1777, in the twenty-fifth year of his
age. His second son, Edward, was an eminent physician. He exercised
his profeasion for a number of years in the city of New York, and was
Profeasor of the Practice of Medicine in the Uniyersity of that city, and
died March 17, 1812, aged fifty-one yeara. The third aon, Joseph, entered
the prdeaaion of Law, held a high atanding at the Bar in Delaware, hia
natiye State, and waa more than once a member of the State Legislature:
he died of yellow-feyer, September 4, 1798. The fourth son, Samud, was,
for twenty years, pastor of the Wall Street Church in New York, and
during the rest of his life was Profeaaor of Bccleaiaatical History and
Ohuroh Goyemment in the Theological Seminary at Princeton. The fifth
son, Jama, was bred to the Law, and, soon after his admission to the Bar,
with the highest promise of intellectual and moral excellence, fell a yictim
to pulmonary consumption, April 16, 1796, in the twenty-second year of
his age. The daughters both married early and are long smce decMised.
ROBERT SMITH, D.D.*
1749—1798.
BoBiBT Smith was bom in Londonderry, Ireland, in the year 1728.
His family, who had first emigrated from Scotland to Ireland, came to this
country, when Bobert was about seyen years old. His anoeatora, on both
the &ther*8 and mother'a aide, had been, for aeyeral generationa, aubatan-
tial iarmera, and distinguished for good sense and earnest piety. The fam-
ily, on commg to America, settled at the head waters of the riyer Brandy-
wine, about forty miles from Philadelphia. At the age of fifteen, hu mind
became deeply impressed with the subject of religion, under the preaching
of Whitefidd, during his first yisit to this country. Haying, as he belieyed,
receiyed the Gospel in its aanctifying power, he had a strong desire to deyote
himself to its ministry ; and being encouraged by hia parents to do so, he
placed himself under the instruction of the Bey. Samuel Blair, who waa at
that time the head of an institution at Fagg's Manor, Cheater County, Pa.,
deaigned eapecially for the education of young men for the minbtry. Here
he made yery rapid improyement in both classioal and thcologiod know-
ledge. On the 27th of December, 1749, he waa licenaed to preach by the
(New Side) Preabytery of Newcaatle. On the 9th of October, 1760, he
accepted a call from the ohurohea in Pequea and Leacook, Pa., and on the
b. m^ lli«. n^-nnUm^ HIal. Sam.— Waliattt^ 1IB8.^]CB; fhn'tfii. A. X.
ROBERT SIOTH. ^73
26tb of Haroh, 1761, waa ordained to the work of the miiuBtry, and
inatalled pastor of those ohorches. The Bev. John Bodgera, then minister
of St. Oeorge'a, — afterwards the Bev. Dr. Bodgera of New York, was Mod-
erator of the Presbytery on the oeoasion of his ordination.
Shortly after his settlement, he founded a school, designed chiefly for
the instruction of yonth in the Latin, Greek and Hebrew languages. In
this school he employed the most respectable teachers; and it was soon
resorted to by a large number of young men from different parts of Penn-
sylvania and Maryland, some of whom were afterwards greatly distinguished
in the different professions. He exerted a strong religious influence on
the minds of his pupils, and a large part of those entrusted to his oare
became exemplary professors of religion. Not a few whose early classical
^uoation he had conducted, returned to him, after they had completed their
collegiate course, to pursue their theological studies under his direction.
In 1759, he was released from the care of the congregation of Leacock;
and he subsequently asked leave to resign the charge of Pequea, on account
of inadequate support ; but the congregation finally prevailed on him to
withdraw the application.
In 1760, he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the GoU^e
of New Jersey. In 1772, he was appointed one of the Overseers of that
Oollege, and held the office during the rest of his life. He was the second
Moderator of the General Assembly, and preached the opening Sermon the
next year (1791) from Isaiah Ixii. 8.
Dr. Smith was distinguished for his activity, being in labours most
abundant. He not only attended with great punctuality on all the judica-
tories of the Church, but was often abroad visiting vacant and feeble
churches, and endeavouring to strengthen the things that remained, that
were ready to die. He was generally blessed with vigorous health, inso-
much that never but in a single instance during his whole ministry, was he
prevented from preaching on the Sabbath. And then, though confined to
his chamber by a fever, he assembled the principal members of his church,
and being placed in an easy chair, spoke to them of the hopes and joys of
religion.
The last public act of his life was attending a meeting of the Board of
Trustees of the Oollege of New Jersey, distant more than a hundred miles,
after his health had become greatly enfeebled. On his return, he suffered
much from both debility and pain ; and when he had nearly reached his own
church, where he had expected to officiate, he stopped at the house of a
friend to endeavour to recover strength for the exercise; but he began
immediately to sink away, and in a few minutes life was extinct. He died
on the 16th of April 1798, m the seventy-first year of his age.
He was married on the 22d of May, 1760, to Elizabeth, a sister of tho
Bev. Samuel Blair, his preceptor. They had seven children, — ^two of whom
died young, two became physicians, and three ministers of the Gospel.
Samud Stanhope and John Blair are commemorated in separate articles
in this work. William JR., the other son who entered the ministry, was
bom May 10, 1762 ; was graduated at Princeton in 1778 ; was licensed to
preach by the Presbytery of Newcastle in 1776; was settled as pastor of
the Second Church in Wilmington, De., about 1786; resigned his ehairge
in 1796, and became pastor of the Beformed Dutch Churches of Harlingen
and Shannock, N. J., in which relation he died about the year 1816. The
L74 PRESBYTERIAN.
Bev. Dr. Thomaa Dewitt wrifcea me — " I remember him, while I was study-
ing Theology at New Bninswioky 1810-1812. He was plain in his manners,
a jndicions and instmctiye preacher, without much power of elocution, a
faithful pastor, and amiable and exemplary in his spirit and deportment."
Ebenezer Smith, M. D., another son of Dr. Robert Smith by hit first
marriage, settled in Wilmington, De., where was bom his son, William JR.,
who slso became a minister of the Gospel. He (the son) was hopefully con-
verted during a revival in the year 1814 ; was interrupted in his collegiate
course at Princeton, by ill health ; was liceused to preach by the Presbytery
of Northumberland in April, 1820 ; became Pastor of the united Gongrega^
tions of Northumberland and Sunbury, in May, 1822 ; resigned his charge
m October, 1881 ; and aflcr passing two years in Ohio, returned to his
former charge, and continued their Pastor till his death, — September 19,
1849.
Dr. Smith was married a second time to the widow of the Bev. William
Bamsey of Fairfield, N. J. She was a native of Oohansey, and her maiden
name was Sarah Scaly. By this marriage he had one daughter, bom in
the year 1780.
Dr. Smith published A Sermon preached on the union of the Old and
New Side Presbyteries of Newcastle, entitled '* A wheel in the middle of a
wheel, or the Harmony and connection of the various acts of Divine Prov-
idence ;'' Two Sermons on Sin and Holiness, 1767 ; A Sermon entitled
" The brmsed reed bound up, and the smoking fiax inflamed ; or the weak
oppressed believer victorious through the tender care and grace of Christ,"
1774 ; Three Sermons in the American Preacher on Saving Faith, 1791.
The following testimony to the character of Dr. Smith, is from a notice
of him published in the General Assembly's Missionary Magasine for
January, 1806. It is supposed to have been written by one of Uie fathers
of the Presbyterian Ohurch, who could speak from actual knowledge.
*' Few men in the holr miniBtry have been more nsefU or more esteemed than Dr.
Smith. He entered it with the parest zeal for the glory of his Redeemer and the lal-
vation of mankind; and his whole sonl was devoted to the faithfdl dlsohaige of the
duties of his sacred office. • • • Thonsh remarkably modest snd even dffldent in
the deliberative assemblies of the Church, he has often been heard to say that in the
pnlpit he never knew Uie fear of man. he was so occupied with the solemnity and
Importance of bis dntiesi that the opinions of men were forgotten: his mind was so
filled with the Diyine presence before which he stood, that wealth, station, talents,
whatever is most respected by the world, was lost to him in the mijesty of Grod. The
character of his preaching, thenfore. as was to be expected from a frame of mind so
habitually devout, was remarkably solemn and fervent. The Holy Scriptures, in
which God has been pleased to convey his will to mankind, he regarded as containing
the happiest langnage in which to interpret Divine truth to the people. With the
sacred volume he was perfectly fluniliir. And his sermons were nsoally filled with
the aptest allnsions and illustrations drawn from this precious source. The doctrines
of the Gospel he delighted to express in the terms of Scripture; those doctrines espe-
cially which have been in any degree the suljects of disputation, and the cause of
division in the Church. An enemy to controversy, he believed that Christians were
more nearly united in sentiment than in the expression of their several creeds. In the
copious use, therefore, which he made of Scripture language, he hoped to gain a double
advantage: on controversial subiects he would create less offonoe and irritation; and
in illustrating and enforcing Divine truth on the hearts of his hearers, he thought that
the language of the inipired writers would come home with more authority to the
conscience than the finest periods of human eloquence. In this perhaps he was not
deceived, particularly in that field of labour which he had especially marked out for
himself; for he was uncommonly successftil in convincing secure sinners, in comforting
and establishing believers in the fldth of the Gkwpel, and in conciliating the aflbctions
and confidence of pious persons of aU denominations. Preaohinff the Gospel and pub-
lishing the grace of the Redeemer was his most delightfril employment; in which he
exhibited an example of the grMlest diligence and seal, not only among the people
BOBEBT SMITH. 176
vith whom he wM more immediately oonnected m their pastor, hnt throt^ont an
exteiudTe district of oonntry, in OTory part of which he was often employed in these
Sions laboun. He was indeed incessant and indefatiffabie in the senrioe of his Divine
[aster, till at length he wore down to a slender thread a constitution originallv yigor-
oos, and his death at last which took plaoe in the midst of the most acUye discharge
of his duties, was not the effbct of any particular disease, but of the gradual waste of
nature oe(»sioned hy contbual and extreme exertions."
SAMUEL KENNEDY *
1760—1787.
Saicuxl Exnnxdt was born in Scotland, in the year 1720 ; and received
his education in the University of Edinburgh. The circumstances which
led him to migrate to this country are not known ; but he seems to have
come hither not long after the completion of his collegiate course, and to
have engaged in studies immediately preparatory to the sacred office, by
advice of tiie Presbytery of New Brunswick. He was received under the
care of that Presbytery, on trials for the ministry, on the 6th of December,
1749 ; and was licensed by the same Body to preach the Qospel, on the
18th of May, 1760. He was ordained to the work of the ministry, and
installed pastor of the Oongregation of Basking Bidge, N. J., on the 25th
of June, 1761.
Notwithstanding much the greater portion of the Scotch and Irish clergy
in the Presbyterian Ohuroh in this country were found on the Old Side, in
the memorable division of 1741, Mr. Kennedy's sympathies seem to have
been decidedly with the other party ; for while he did not undervalue human
learning as one of the requisite qualifications for the ministry, he attached
far more importance to experimental piety, and believed that the Church
had a right to require tiie evidence of this in those who were to be commis-
sioned to preach the Gospel. It was an evidence of his supreme regard to
principle that he should have thus, in the choice of his ecclesiastical relation,
disregarded what we may suppose to have been his national predilections.
Mr. Kennedy was one of the eighteen ministers who, in the year 1760,
rendered themselves somewhat famous by an attetnpted interference in the
concerns of the Episcopal Ohurch. The Rev. William McOlenachan, an
Episcopal clergyman of Philadelphia, who had evinced somewhat more of
religious seal than most of his brethren, was, for that reason, more highly
appreciated by one part, and less highly by another part, of his own denomi*
nation ; and it was feared that the adverse influence would prevail to his
exclusion from the Episcopal Ohurch in that city. During a meeting of the
Synod of New Tork and Philadelphia iu May, 1760, Mr. McOlenaohan's
embarrassed and somewhat doubtful position happened to become the sub-
ject of conversation among some of the members, and, with more leal
probably than prudenoe or delicacy, several of then^ agreed to address a
letter to the Archbishop of Oanterburj, requesting his official influence to
enable Mr. M. to retain his plaoe. The letter was accordingly written and
• Sketoh of hit lift appendfld to Brown's Memoiis of Bobert Fhd^y P. P.— MS. tnm Qev.
Dr. Talmago.
176 PBESBTTEBIAir.
despatohed ; but, as might bo ezpeoted, the venenble digmtary to whom it
was addressed, took no notice of it ; and eyen the indiyidnab who had snb-
seribod it, were constrained, upon further reflection, to think that they had
done an act of at least questionable propriety. The afiair soon became
public, and the letter found its way into the newspapers, accompamed by
severe strictures ; and, during the next meetmg of Synod, it was hawked
about the streets of Philadelphia in pamphlet form, with the ludicrous
proclamation — "Eighteen Presbyterian ministers for a groat.'* It is cer^
tainly somewhat remarkable that the names of most of those concerned in
the transaction, are among the most honoured in the history of the Presby-
terian Church.
Mr. Kennedy was, for a considerable time, at the head of a classical
school at Basking Bidge ; and being a highly accomplished scholar, and
possessing great wisdom and energy as a disciplinarian, his school was
extensively patronised, and sent many of its pupils to the College of New
Jersey. Some of them became distinguished men, and were often heard,
in after life, to render a most grateful testimony to the ability and fidelity
of their early instructer.
Mr. Kennedy was not only a clergyman and a teacher, but a physician
also. For many years he practised medicine in his own congregation, and
acquired no small reputation for his skill in detecting and treating diseases.
He usually received the appellation of Doctor ^ but it designated the medical
practitioner, and not the clergyman.
Mr. Kennedy was very diligent and fidthful in the discharge of his pas-
toral duties, and his labours among his own people and elsewhere were
eminently successful. Several extensive revivals of religion occurred under
his ministry, in consequence of which his church greatly increased in both
numbers and strength. And his influence was by no means conflned to his
own congregation — it extended to the whole surrouncQng region, and
operated nowhere perhaps more powerfully than in the judicatories of the
Church.
Mr. Kennedy's labours were terminated by death on the 81st of August,
1787, whenhe wasin the sixty-eighth year of his age, and the thirty-seventh
of his ministry at Basking Bidge.
FROM THE KEY. SAMUEL EJINNEDT TALMAGE, D. D.
PmSilDSHT or OQLITHORPl UVrVlBSITT, OA.
OoLRHOBFi Umivbbsitt, 27th Febmar;, 1866.
My dear Sir: Tou inquire after my knowledge of my " venerable ancestor,
the Bev. Samuel Kennedy." My only relationship to him is the following, — and
it is not slight. He was the spiritual father of my father and mother, who joined
his church in youth, side by side, on the same day, and who were afterwards
joined together by him in marriage. After he had gone to minister in a higher
sphere, they gave me his name in token of their affectionate remembrance of him.
My &ther, though a plain unlettered man, was an elder in the church, and
had more knowledge of his Bible than almost any private Christian I have ever
known. He had an astonishing memory, and could repeat many of his old
pastor's sermons almost verbatim; and in his old age he actually committed to
writing some of them, after they had been treasured in his memory fbr a great
many years. It Is to him that I am indebted almost entirely for my impressions
of 1^. Kennedy's character; for he never wearied in talking of him, and evi-
SAMUSL KSHlfEDY. ^77
denUj regarded him as ooming as near to his ideal of a Ohristian minister as
any other man he had ever known.
Mr. Kennedy was, aooording to my father's representation^ distinguished for
the purity and eleration of his Ohristian character, fie made it manifest to all
hy his daily conversation that he walked with God. He had naturally a strong
mind, whose resources had been well deyeloped by a thorough Scotch education.
His knowledge of Theology was at once accurate and extensive; and he was not
only a cordial believer but a vigorous defender of the Oalvinistic system. He
must have been distinguished for his activity and diligence; for besides beinj^
occupied part of the time as a teacher, he performed, to great acceptance, the
duties of both a minister and a physician. And it is evident, from his increas-
ing reputation as he advanced in life, that he must have spent no small part of
his time in his study. As a confirmation of the fact that he was a ripe scholar
and a profound theologian, I may mention that a brother of mine, many years
ago, in travelling through Sussex Oounty, N. J., came across some of Mr. Ken-
nedy's books in the hands of an illiterate descendant, which were among the
most learned works of the period immediately succeeding the Reformation, and
which may fiurly be considered as indicating the taste of their former owner.
He purchased several of them, which are now in my possession, and which I
highly prize, not more for their intrinsic value, than as precious memorials of my
venerable namesake.
My fiither used to tell me that Mr. Kennedy was, in appearance and manner,
one of the most simple and unostentatious of men, and that his great modesty
kept him very much out of the range of public observation; but that, in the
pulpit, the power of his thoughts and the fervour of his manner sometimes ren-
dered him perfectly overwhelming. He has related to me instances of the
astonishment created by his sermons at ecclesiastical meetings ; how his audience,
who had judged him, before he b^gan the service, by his unassuming aspect,
would, in the progress of it, become fixed and well nigh rapt by his noble
conceptions, and bold and earnest appeals. One circumstance connected with
his ministry evidently left upon the mind of my fiither, — ^if I could judge from the
interest and frequency with which he used to relate it, — a very deep impression.
There had been a season of unusual coldness in the Ohurch at Basking Ridge, and
the pastor had become not a little discouraged in view of the apparent fruiUess-
ness of his labours. On a certain Sabbath, at the dose of the public services,
he resolved to spend the whole of the ibllowing week in earnest prayer and
devout study, with a view to prepare a sermon that, by Gh>d's blessing, might
rouse the congregation from their spiritual torpor, and bnng them to feel the
importance of eternal realities. He fiilfilled his purpose, — ^immediately selecting
his text for the next Sabbath, and devoting the whole intervening week to
maturing and arranging his thoughts upon it. When the Sabbath came, he felt
strong in the belief that he had produced something that would move his people,
and he expected confidently to witness some special tokens of the Divine pre-
sence. After singing and prayer, he gave out his second hymn, and took his
Bible to open to the text. But strange to teQ, he could not call it to his mind—
text, chapter, book, even subject, had deserted him. The congregation had
finished singing, and in a half bewildered state he rose and gave out another
hymn; He turned over the leaves of the Bible to find some passage on which to
found an extemporaneous discourse; and his eye lighted repeatedly on one text,
upon which he thought he might say something — if my memory serves me, it
was-r-*' The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the nations that forget
God.*' The singing bang again concluded, he rose, overwhelmed with agitation
imd disti;ess, i^nd preached a sermon which mdted down the 'whole congregation,
and was the commencement of a wonderftd revival of religion. He said he lia4
never in his life before enjoyed so much freedom or exercised so much power in
Vol m. 23
178 FBESBTTEBIAH.
the pulpit. He went home alone weepbg wnd r^oicing;— eaying that God had
answered hia prayers m a manner fitted at onoe to humble the onworthj instm-
ment, and to exalt the riches of hia own grace.
I &id it stated hj another authority that " Mr. Kennedy was rather abore the
ordinary size of men, somewhat corpulent and plethoric. His manners were rvrf
plain, retaining much of their native Scotch simplicity, and sometimes approach-
ing to bluntness. He was distinguished hj an easy, copious and uniform flow of
thought and expression on erery subject. His remarks on all occasions were
pithy, judicious and appropriate.*'
Very affectionately yours,
8. K. TALMAGE.
MATTHEW WILSON, D. D.
1754r-1790.
FROM THE KEY. SAMUEL MILLER, D. P.,
Pbixoxtov, Norember 20, 1848.
Key. and dear Brother : It always gives me pleasure to call to mind ihe
image and oharaoter of the Bev. Matthew Wilson, D. D., long sinoe deceased.
I can never recollect that excellent man without complicated emotions of
reverence, gratitude, and love. He was the affectionate friend and oorres*
pendent of my venerated &ther ; was often a guest at his house ; and I may
safely say, was never there without diffusing joy throughout the domestic
circle.
Matthbw Wilson was bom in Bast Nottingham, Oheeter County, Pa.,
January 16, 1731. He was the son of James Wilson and Jean his wife,
who intermarried in Ireland, and afterwards migrated to Pennsylvania, where
they spent the remainder of their lives. He received his aoademioal eduoa-
tion under the direction of the Bev. Dr. Francis Alison, and the Bev.
Alexander MoDowall,* at an institution of high character at New London
in his native State. I do not remember to have known under whom his
theological studies were conducted. He was licensed to preach in April,
1754 ; was ordained to the office of the ministry in October, 1756 ; was
installed pastor of the Congregations at Lewes and Cool Spring in Delaware,
in April, 1756; and in August, 1767, by consent of his two oongregatbns
and of the Presbytery, took charge of another Congregation, devoting to
them every third Sabbath, at Indian Biver. Thu latter arrangement was
at first entered into only for a single year, but it was rendered permanent by
a subsequent agreement. After a course of able and suooessM labours in
that extensive charge, he died ou the 80th of March, 1790, in the sixtieth
year of his age, universally lamented.
The degree of Doctor of Divinity was most worthily bestowed on him by
the University of Pennsylvania in 1786.
* AiazJlHdvb HoBowall ww bom in Ire1«id« but hSa fiunfly, wfiOa be wm y»t jnmqc
Botaiatod to this eoimtcy« and wttled in Yliginift. Ha offtrad himioir to tho IXoBonl TnOrr*
t«7, Smtembor i, 1789. and waa Uoanaed to praaoh July 80, 1740. On tha SOth of Ootobar>
17&»1iaivaaoidainadfifMmiito2jdthaTiawtoliiagoingtoyinini^ Hafaamambaaqnaaay
tohttva aetttad at Nottingham. Ha waa appointed raM^Ml of tha aohool whioh waa ante the
aara af iha Synod, fint at Blk, and altorwaida at Nawark, Pa. Ha diad Jaanaiy 13, 178S»
haHng narar narriad.
lUTTHBW WILSOK. 179-
ThiB great wnd good man was regnlarlj bred to the medical profiaflaioii,
as well as that of a minister of the Gospel, and few physicians of his day
manifested more learning, skill, or saeoess, in the healing art. His medicid
practice occupied much of his time, and had he not exercised singolar energy
and diligence, would' have drawn him away from the duties of the sacred
office. But such were his perseverance and industry that he fulfilled the
duties of both professions with great acceptance.
Dr. Wilson ever held a high place in public estimation. Ingenious,
learned, pious, patriotic, and benevolent in an eminent degree, all that
knew him respected him ; and he had no enemies, but the enemies of truth
and righteousness. Though every circumstance in his early life conspired
to place him among those who were called Old Side men in the great
controversy which divided the Church in his day, yet such were the fervour
of his piety, and the amiableness of his temper, that both parties loved him ;
and he was taken by the hand by his New Side brethren, and heard by
their Congregations, with as much pleasure as if he had been nominally
with them. An ardent lover of peace, he lamented the divisions which
agitated the Church, when he came into the ministry, and he was generally
considered as one of the most influential instruments in bringing about the
Plan of Union, which was consummated in 1758, and restored peace to the
Presbyterian Church.
in the Revolutionary contest, which gave independence to the United
States, Dr. Wilson took the side of his country with great demsion and
leal. His patriotic efforts were unremitted, and, no doubt, exerted much
inflaence wherever he was known. Some indeed thought that he carried his
public activity in the great Whig cause rather further than became a mmister
of the Gospel ; but his constitutional ardour prevented his taking counsel
with the cold calculations of prudence, at a period which "tried men's
souls."
Dr. Wilson was never fully reconciled to the plan of Presbyterian Church
Government, exemplified in the Church of Scotland, and substantially
adopted by our fathers of the Old Synod in 1788. He drew up and read
before that body a plan of government, very considerably reduced in its
tone, and more nearly resembling the Congregational system. Though his
views were most respectfully listened to and deliberated on by the Synod,
they were not adopted. The model of the Church of Scotiand, though not
servilely copied, was generally preferred ; and a form of government and
discipline, as nearly corresponding with that model as the different circum-
stances of the two countries rendered expedient, was finally established.
Dr. Wilson continued to be a diligent student to a late period of his life.
Though he had the labours and cares of two important professions devolving
iipon him, he found time to be more of a reader than many whose occupa^
tions are^ less complicated and less pressing ; and what is worthy of notice,
he seems to have been in the habit of rea^g with pen in hand. I do not
remember ever to have borrowed a book from his library, or indeed to have
seen one of which he was the owner, without finding the margin filled, even
to crowding, with manuscript notes, — some of them remarkably rich, graphic
and interesting. By thb practice, he rendered his books less sightiy, and
perhaps less valuable in the market ; but more profitable to himself, more
precious to his family and to all that loved him, and indeed more truly valu-
able to all the admirers of learning and of mind.
180 FBESBTTBRIAJr.
It was yery oofmmoD, about the middle of the last oentniy, in priBted
Tolomea, to print empbatio words, eapedally in tiUe pages and eonq[»ieaonB
positions, in red ink, to render them more attrsetive and eonspicnons. Dr.
Wilskm waiffond of introdaoing tliis praotioe into his letters. I have seen
and now have in mj possession a number of his letters, and in almost all
oases, black and red ink are altematelj employed, in order to give oonspi-
ouity and emphatic meaning to important words, names, or statements. I
bays no recollection of havbg obsenred this habit in any other man. He
was said to haye had two inkstands, one of black and the other of red ink,
in eyexy room in Us house. Whether this were a &ot, I know not ; but
for one thbg I can youch, — that I scarcely oyer saw a letter from bis hand,
which did not, in some measure, corroborate the statement.
As a preacher. Dr. Wilson was not animated, or strikingly powerftil. He
was mild, instructiye and persuasiTc. His yoice was rather feeble and
plabtiye. His health was always delicate, and, toward the latter part of his
life, he was habitually a yaletudinarian. This his appearance in the pulpit
generally indicated. Yet his ardent piety, his solemnity, and his manifest
learning and intelligence, always made bim an acceptable preacher to an
enlightenod audience.
Dr. Wilson was married to Hester Gray in 1766. She died in 1762,
haybg become the mother of two children, only one of whom surriyed her.
In 1764, be was married to Elisabeth Creghead, a lady of uncommon energy
of character, and eminent piety, who surriyed him many years, and died
about 1818, in her eighty-fourih year. By this marriage be had fiye children,
one of whom was the Bey. James P. Wilson, D. D., late pastor of the First
Presbyterian CShnroh in the city of Philadelphia, who, in piety, in learning,
in talents, and in power as a preacher, had few equals.
It would giye me pleasure to enlarge, without limit, on the reminiscenoes
of a fiunily so dear and so interesting to me and mbe. But the infirmities
of a man who has entered on his eigbtietb year, must be my apol<^ for
bring^g this communioation to a dose.
Tours with great regard,
SAMUEL MH.LEB.
HUGH KNOX, D. D *
1766—1790.
Hugh. EIhox was bom in Ireland, but came to this country in 1761,
when he was approaching manhood. It seems that he had some thoughts
of entering the mioistry, shortly after his arriyal ; for there is a record that
the Synod of Philadelphia, haying heard that he was desirous of being
taken on trials, directed him to meet the Newcastle Presbytery ; but as his
yiews and feelings were at that time little congenial with the sacred offioe,
so. he q^cUy dismissed all ideas of seeking it, and resolyed on a different
course of life.
Mflln^iJCaMrfr of Bodsos.— W«tet«*i M8S.-4MflMa Lrttcn cf Ximz.— Wola cC
HUGH KKOX. 281
Having letters to tlie Bey. Dr. Francis Alison^ then Prinoipal gf tlie
'Academy at New London, Pa., he called upon him to sec whether he could
not employ him as an asBistant teacher ; but as Dr. Alison had ;io dcoasion
tor his services in that capacity, he gave him a note of introduction to the
Kev. (afterwards Dr.) John Rodgers, who was then settled as pastor of
the Ohurches of St. (George's and Middletown, De., with a request that he
would, if practicable, gather a school for Mr. Knox within the limits of one
or the other of his congregations. Mr. Rodgers, being fieivourably impressed
with the young man's appearance, immediately made an effort in his behalf,
which resulted in the establishment of a school of which Mr. Knox became
the head. Being a young man of fine personal appearance, and more than
ordinary accomplishments, he became a very popular teacher, and was much
esteemed throughout the neighbourhood.
After having been thus engaged for several months, a circumstance
occurred which greatly changed Mr. Knox's condition and prospects ; — a cirr
otimstance which, though involving criminality on his part, and bringing in
its trun immediate disaster, was nevertheless overruled to the most desir-
able and important results. When he went to reside at the Head of
Bohemia, (for that was the place where he had his school,) he was exem«
plary in his morality, thou^ he did not profess to know any thing of
Christian experience. Unhappily, the strictness of his morals began to
relax, and he became associated with a number of young men, who used to
meet every Saturday afternoon for a firolic ; and though these meetings were
at first of a comparatively unexceptionable character, yet they gradually
changed into a scene of boisterous and indecent revelry. On one of these
occasions, some one of the company cried out to Ejiox — <* Gome, parson,"
(a title which they gave him on account of his being the gravest of their
number, and withal a great admirer of the preaching <^ Mr. Bodgers,)
«• Oome, parson, give us a sermon." At first, he declined; but, upon being
urged, he actually met the demand in a very remarkable manner. Having
an uncommon memory, great ftexibility of voice, and withal a wonderful
gift at mimicry, he began to preach the sermon which Mr. Bodgers had
preached the Sabbath before, and went through it, so exactly imitating his
tones and manner, that one of his elders who overheard it from anothet
apartment in the house, declared that he could not distinguish between the
original and the copy. But the most remarkable thizig renuuns to be told.
As he proceeded in the sermon, such was the interest which he contrived to
counterfeit, that his auditors, who began to listen in merriment, gradually
became serious, and, when he had finished, they left the spot disposed to
any thing else than diversion or ridicule. And what was more, the mock
preacher was overwhelmed with a sense of the criminality of what he had
been doing, and deeply felt the power of those truths with which he had
thus profiinely trifled. Such was his mortification and his remorse in
r^ecting on his conduct, that he fied from the place the next mornipg,
without stopping long enough to collect his dues, or arrange his affairs.
He went now to Newarki and applied to President Burr for admission t6
College ; but, as he brought no testimonials, and stated that he had been
living in the neighbourhood of Mr. Bodgers, the President told him that he
might remain with him until the next Commencement, which Mr. B. would
undoubtedly attend, and if his testimony concerning him were what could
be desired, he should immediately be admitted. In due time Mr, Bodgers
182 PBBSBTTERIAH.
oune; and muoli was he Bttrpriaed at meeting the fiigitiye school-mastert
and mubh was the sohool-maater embamssed at meetiog the minister, whose
generons patronage he had so nngraoionsly and ungratefollj reqnited. Mr.
Knox watched his opportnnitj to get Mr. Bodgers to step aside with him,
when he made a frank and penitent acknowledgment of his wicked conduct,
and stated to him his oircnmstances in regard to becoming a member of
Oollege. He informed him, moreover, that reflection upon the nngratefol and
wicked act which he had committed towards him, had led him, as he hoped,
to deep reflection upon his character as a sinner, and to unfeigned repent-
ance of all his sins ; and that he wished to obtun a collegiate education
with a view to devote himself to the Christian ministry. He begged Mr.
B., provided he could consistently do so, to withhold from President Burr
a statement of the sad affair which occasioned his leaving his school, lest,
a it were communicated to him, it should prevent his being received
as a member of College ; and Mr. B. promised to comply with his request,
unless the President should ask him questions that would render it impossi-
ble. Happily, no such questions were asked; and the President, having
received such a testimony concerning his character as satisfied him, admitted
him to Oollege.
Mr. Knox graduated in the year 1754, and probably studied Divinity
with President Burr. The Beformed Dutch Church in the Island of Saba
having requested the New York Presbytery to send them a minister, — they
selected Mr. Knox as a smtable person for the place, and he consented to
their proposal. They accordingly proceeded to ordain him in the year
1765,— on which occasion he preached a Sermon on '* the dignity and
importance of the (}ospel ministry,'' which was published by the unanimous
request of the Presbytery. It is prefiitced with a brief Address from the
Presbytery to the Church of which he was to become the pastor, which com-
mences as follows : —
** To the Dutch Protestant Reformed Church on the IsUnd of Sabar—
" The Presbytery of New York send Greeting: ^
" When your request for an English Protestant minister was made known to ns, we
dadly embraced the opportunity of assisting so distant a part of the Lord's vineyard.
And Divine Providence seasonably pointed out the ingenious author of the following
Plsoonrse, whom we can cheerfully recommend as a person we Judge well qnalifled to
supply year destitute church, and to promote the interest of the Bedeemer's Kingdom
among you.''
It concludes thus : —
" We tmst you will have reason with us to bless God, that has indined his heart to
accept your call ; to forsake the society of his dear flriends, and risk the danger of the
sea, that he might carry the glad tidings of salvation to the distant Ides. That he
may come to you in the Ailness of the bleisfaigB of the Gk>spel of peace, and become
the happy instmment in the hands of the great Head of the Ghuxchi of buHding you
up in fauh, peace and holiness, is and will be the orayer of
<< Tour brethren and servants in the Gospel of Christ.
*' Signed by order, Tikotht Allut,* Presby. Gl."
• Tnorar Allvit wm gndvaiad at Tsls CoUage In 1786; wm ordained •■ pwtor of the
OoDgregaftlonal Chvnh in Wort HaTon, Conn., in 1788; and romalnod thore tiU 1742, Ihoogh
In 1741 ho wag doposod by the Now Havon Ainolation for Ui allflfod oxtraTManoM in ooonoo-
tion with tho roriyal, and oipoolaUy for faying that << tho Bible ooold not of itpolf, or by any
man's offorta, do tho nnregeneiate linner any more good than the reading of an old Alnumao.'*
After the anreet of Davonporty by tho Oomieotioat nuufiatntea in 1742, many of the nltia rtri-
YsUits were Impremed with the importanee of oitabluhing a school for ednoatinc yoong many
•alter their own notions, for the ministry. Sneh a sohooi was aetoally estabUabedat New Lon-
don—ealled «Tbe Shepherd's Tent; " and Mr. AUen was plaoed at the head of it ; bat, to
oonseqnenee of an Aot of the Legislatnre the same year, pfODibitins the establishment of Sem-
inaries ** by priTate or unknown personib" it was removed to Bhode Islaad. The sdhool qnlokly
HUGH K](OX. ]g3
After Mr. Knox's settlement in the Island of Saba, he not only retained
his conneetion with the Presbytery of New York, but kept np a regular
oorrespondence with them as a Body, besides frequently exohanging letters
with several of the prominent members. From a letter in my possession,
addressed to one of these brethren,* dated March 2, 1769, 1 make the fol-
lowing extract, as containing the only account I can find of Mr. Knox's
situation after his removal to Saba : —
*' As to my outward estate, it is such as I bless God I am well contented
with, although it can never be considerable upon this Island. You can
easily be convinced of this, when you consider that my stated salary and
perquisites yearly do not amount to more than a hundred and forty pounds,
your currency, and that fresh meat of almost every kind is seldom sold for
less than from twelve to eighteen pence per pound ; a good turkey for a
heavy pistole or thirty shillmgs ; a dunghill fowl, six or eight shillings, and
every thing else in proportion ; so that, all things considered, I reckon
fifty pounds per annum upon the Continent equivalent to a hundred and
fifty here.
*' You have, I hope, before this time, heard, by my last to the Presby-
tery, of my being married to Governor Simmons' youngest daughter. I
married her at the age of fourteen years and six months. She is a young
woman of a good as well as an honourable fiimily, of a comely outward
form and good natural endowments, of a spotless character and a virtuous
deportment. God only knows whether she is yet possessed of the one thing
needful. I entreat your joint prayers with mine that what may be yet lack-
ing in her, Christ would graciously supply out of the abundance of his grace ;
that, as we are one flesh by marriage, so we may be of one spirit in Christ.
Since our union, we have lived under the Governor's roof, and have sat at
his table, — ^so that our expenses in living are by this means greatly less-
ened. Dutch fortunes are never known nor given till the death of parents —
however, I conjecture, by a general estimate of my father-in-law's circum-
stances and family, that that part which will come to me or my widow and
family, may amount to about eight or nine hundred pounds, your currency,
if not more."
In a letter addressed to the Bev. Caleb Smith of Newark Mountains,
dated July 17, 1761, he writes thus :—
'* In a letter encloB.ed with this, and which I beg you may forward to my
pious and worthy friend, the Bev. Mr. Aisariah Horton,t at South Hanover,
Ungaiihed, and Mr. AUen mnored to Long IilMid. Ha mat with tha Suffolk PraabTtary, Jnna
14, 1748, and laid bafora tbam tha *' abiolntloii " bj whieh tha aanaura wbioh ha bad inennad
in Naw BDf^aod was ramoTed. Ha Joiaad tha Naw Bmnawiok Preabytary, Ootobar IS, 1748,
and nppliad tha Chnrehas of HopawaU and Maidanhaad, thraa or four yaan. From 1763 to
1766, ha labonred at Woodbridsa, and was a mambar of tha Naw York Prasbrtaiy tiU 1761,
(hongh ha was inatallad at Aahnrd, Oonn. , Ootobar 12, 1767. Ha baoama tha mlnistar of Ohas-
tarflaid, Man., at tha aca of WToa^, and preaohad, bj raqnait of tha paopla, at his own
Inatallation, Juna 16, 178o. Ha diad January 13, 1806, in his nina^^Hlrrt yaar. Ha was a
man of jigonaa powers, a ibrvoit preaebar, and tha author of sararal ocwiHional SannoDS.
* It does not appear to whieh of the members this letter is addressed.
' AsABiAH HoBTOH was bom at Sonthold, L. I., in tha year 1716, and was gradnated at
„ Je CoUege in 1736. On being liaensed to maeh, probably by the New York Presbytery, ha
raoeired a eall to an eligible jMtfish on Long Island, and was prepared to aooapt it. The Cor-
respondents of the Seottish Booiety for propagating tha Oospel nrged npon bis attention the
case of the Indians on the Island, and iinally preruled on him to relinqoish the oall. Be was
ordained by the Presbyteiy of New York in 1741, and began his labours in the midst of tha
great reyiral. His eharge extended along tha whole Southern shore of tbe Island, for mora
than a hundred miles, upon whieh the remnants of onoa numerous tribes, at that time redueed
to four hundred, of all ages, were scattered. Here he laboured with the utmost self-denlal»
and not without yeiy eonsideiable suoosas, until 1760, whan he aooapted an inyitation to supply
Yale(
184 PBESBTTEBIAK.
I liave requested lum to make a motion to the Presbytery that ihey s&onld
appoint a Committee of their members, or solioit the United Synod to
appoint a Oommittee of their members, to draw up, print and pablish a
Plan of Ohorch Government, and a ]>ireetory for Disoipline, explaining the
power of Church officers, the nature and reason of censures, suspension and
ezoommunication, and giving plain and pertinent directions how to proceed
with offending professors in a variety of cases. Such a public, authentic
plan of procedure would, I am persuaded, be of great service to all our
churches, more particularly to such of the members as are in my situation.
If it should be objected that the Westminster Directory is adopted by the
Synod, aud is si^cieut for this purpose, — I answer — ^the Westminster
Directory, as it stands in our Confession of Faith, is too brief and general,
and is no sufficient plan for procedure in particular, cases. Besides, many
of our people do not think themselves subject to the Church of Scotland,
or belonging to it, and therefore are not willing to acknowledge its authority,
or to be determined by its decisions. If you see any reason in this. Sir, I
beg you would second the motion of the Eev. Mr. Horton. I am, for my
part, fully persuaded that such a Directory, approved and publiuhed by the
Synod, would add greatly to the authority of Church Councils, especially
where there is not a concurrence of ministers to give force and weight to
their decisions."
In a letter to the Bev. Jacob Green of Hanover, N. J., dated January
22, 1772, he writes as follows:—
*' Although all matters of difference are reconciled long ago on this island,
and the people of it, almost to a man, are solicitous for me to stay among
them in the ministry, yet, from a variety of considerations too tedious for
me to particularise here, I am induced to remove firom them to the Danish
Island of St. Croix, where there is a churoh provided for me, and a yearly
salary of about twelve hundred pts, subscribed. I have acquainted my
people here of this determination, and think of moving, (God permitting,)
about the 1st of May next. I spent the months of September and Octo-
ber in that fine island, and found a number of Scotch, English, Irish, and
North American, Presbyterians there, who gave me a cordial and unanimous
invitation to come among them. Their first plan was a coalition with the
Dutch Church, and a coUeagueship with the Dutch minister; on which plan
the most of the Dutch had become my subscribers. But the Bnglish party
thought best to have a place of worship of their own, in order to avoid
some inconveniences arising from the other plan.''
In pursuance of the resolution intimated in the preceding extract, Mr.
Knox, shortly after, resigned his charge at Saba, and settled at St. Croix,
where he seems to have spent the rest of his days. The church in which
he had preached at Saba was destroyed by a hurricane the saine year that
he left it; and the next year, (1778,) the Synod, by request of the New
York Presbytery, appropriated fifty pounds out of '*the collections for
pious uses," to aid in rebuilding the edifice.
a flhoroh 09 Loog liland, aod beeama a member of tba Sntfolk PnabyteiT. After remaining
here about a vear, he acoepted a oall firom South HaooTer, or Bottle Bill, N. J., in 1761, where
he ooniined tlU NoTember, 1770, when be was diamiaaed at hia own reqneat. On the 27th of
liareb, 1777, he died of amall twz, at the honae of hia aon, in Chatham Tillage,— aged aixtr-
two yeara. He waa an eameat and faithful roiniater, an influential member, originallj of the
Synod of Philadelphia, and afterwarda of that of New York, and had an important ageney ic
eatabliahing the College of New Jeraey.
HUGH KNOX. 285
In the year 1767, the Bev. Jacob Green published a Sermon from
Bomans ix, 18, entitled **The Sinner's &nltine8S and spiritoal inabil-
ity/*— of wbioh he sent Mr. Knox a oopy. Mr. Knox dissented from some
of Mr. Green's positions, which seem to have bordered on Hopkinsian-
ism, and in 1769, he addressed a Letter to him through the press, in which
he treats him with the utmost respect and kindness, states his objections to
some of the views contained in his Sermon, and modestly advances what
seems to him a more reavonable and scriptural theory. He maintains that
God could not make a world of free agents without the possibility of their
fidling into sin. He also repudiates the Hopkinsian notion of benevolence,
and of the necessity of sin to the highest display of God's glory. He
writes as follows: —
" Make it appear dear, on your priociples, [those of Edwards and Hopkins.] that
God is exculpated firom the charge of haying anj cansalitj in producing sin, ana I am
satisfied. Consider me in the humble capacity of a learner. I have such a firm per-
suasion of your piety, and such a respect for your Judgment and candour, as will
keep me from uncharitableness in thought or language towards you. There breathes
such a spirit of kindness and goodness through all your letters, as secures both my
affection and my gratitude.
'' The distinction between natural and moral inability I have ever thought an impor-
tant and nsefhl one, when well stated and explained. My worthy and excellent fHend,
President Burr, was the first who ever gave me an idea of this distinction. He did it
in three sermons preached fh>m Joshua xxiv, 19:—' Ye cannot serve the Lord, for He
is an holy God.' He acknowledged they were the substance of Edwards' book rela-
tive to that subject, and expressed a pretty strong desire of having them printed, as
some of the most useftil and important he had ever preached. I would define moral
inability thus:— a natural and contracted disinclination or aversion to the exercises of
piety and moral virtue, which becomes faulty and criminal by our resisting the motives
which would overcome it, and neglecting by prayer and other duties to apply to Gk>d
through the Redeemer for those infiuences of the Holy Spirit by which it would have
been wholly subdued, and our volitions and actions engaged on the side of piety and
moral rectitude.
" The system of the ancient Galvinists is well jointed, and hangs tojuther; but Cal-
vinism, as held by President Edwards' admirers, seems to me as di&rent from it as
Arminianism — a middle thing patched up out of both, and ought to be called
Edwarditm,
" I greatlv question what you say on p. 19:—' Thev have all the powers that can be
coneeWed, in the nature of things, for a sinner to have : for they have light in. the
understanding, they see the reasonableness and fitness of things, and the obligations
they are under.' I always thought the understanding was sadly darkened and blinded
by the foU; that the natural man could not know nor discern the things of God, and
that it required the power of renewing grace to care this foculty of its blindness; but
I find that Mr. Hopkins and vou make out this faculty pretty sound and vigorous, as
though it had suffered little, if any thing, by the original apostacy."
The celebrated Alexander Hamilton was placed in early boyhood nnder
the instruction of Mr. Eoioz, and formed a strong attachment to him, while
Mr. Eiiox, in retnm, watched and assisted, with the utmost fidelity, the
development of the wonderful powers of his pupil. They kept up an active
correspondence in after life; and two of Mr. K.'s letters are preserved in
the first volume of Hamilton's works. Both were written during the Bevo-
lution, and breathe a spirit of earnest devotion to the American cause.
From one of them, dated St. Oroiz, April 31, 1777, the following is an
extract: —
"I have but a moment at command at present, and have not time to remark upon
vour letter. I can only inform you that it has given high satisfltction to all friends
here. We rejoice in your good eXaracttr and advanament, which is indeed only the
Just reward of merit. May yon still live to deserve mora and more from the friends
of America, and to Justify the choice, and merit the approbation of the obiat ahd
GOOD GsHBaAL Washimgtov— a name which will shine with distinguished lustra in the
annals of history— a name dear to the friends of the liberties of mankbd I Mark
ihi9t Ton must be the annalist and bii^apher, as well as the aid-de-camp, of
YoL m. 24
186 PRESBTTXBIAir.
General Washington, and the historiographer of the Ammmioam Wam. I take the
liberty to insist on this. I hope you take minutes and keep a Jonmal. If jon have
not hitherto, I pray do it henceforth. I seriously, and with all my little fnfluenoe,
urge this upon you. This may be a new and strange thought to you ; but if yon sur-
Tive the present troubles, / av«r— few men will be so well qualified to write the history
of the present glorious struggle. God only knows how it may terminate. But how-
ever that may be, it will be a most interesung story."
The degree of Maater of Arts was conferred upon BIr. Knox by Yale
GoUege in 1768 ; and, at a sabseqnent period, he waa honoured with the
degree of Doctor of Divinity by the University of Glasgow.
Dr. Knox died in St. Oroix in October, 1790. He had a son bearing
ilia own name, who was graduated at Yale College in 1800.
Dr. Miller states that Dr. Knox *< pabliahed five or six volumes, chiefly
Sermons, which are highly esteemed." Two volumes of his Sermons,
printed at Glasgow, in 1772, are in the Library of the College of New Jer^
sey. In an autograph letter of his, written in 1761, 1 find him express-
ing his intention to publish a volume of Discourses, chiefly on Infidelity,
bat doubting whether the volume may be most advantageously brought out
in this conntry or in Europe.
GEORGE DUFFIELD, D. D.
1756—1790.
FBOX THE BEY. GEORGE DUFFIELD, D. D.
Dkboit, Febmary 29, 1848.
Bey. and dear Sir : In compliance with your request, I cheerfully give
you what facts I have been able to collect, with regard to the history of my
grandfather.
GxoRQB DuFFiXLD was the third son of George and Margaret Duffield,
who had migrated to the Colony of Pennsylvania, somewhere from 1726
to 1780, from the North of Ireland. They were of English extraction
immediately, but the family originally were French, — of the Huguenots,
who were forced to fiy from France, and take refuge in England and the
North of Ireland, on account of their Protestant faith, and in consequence
of the edict of Nants, and the persecutions that ensued thereon. The name
was originally Du Fidde^ but was angli<»sed, after the settlement of the
family in Great Britain. George Duffield (the &ther) first settled in Octo-
rora township, Lancaster County, Pa., but shortly after sought a richer
soil, and established himself in Pequea township, of the same county, where
his son George was bom ; and on grounds which remain to this day in the
possession of his descendants. He died at the advanced age of eighty-four
years, and was noted for his stem integrity and devoted piety.
Gborgo Dufiield, the subject of this sketch, was born October 7, 1782.
He received hb academical education at Newark, De., where he after^
wards officiated as classical Tutor. He was graduated at Nassau Hall
in 1762 ; and having, about that time, become hopefolly pious, he joined
the Church under the care of the Bev. Dr. Bobert Smith, of Pequea,
and soon after commenced the study of Theology under his supervi-
sion. From 17&4 to 1750, he was Tutor at the College at which he
GEOBGS DI7FFIELD. Jg^
was graduated. He waa lioenaed to preaoh the (Gospel by the Preflbyteiy
of Newoastle, March 11, 1756; having been married three days before to
Eliiabeth, daughter of the Eev. Samuel Blair of Fagg'a Manor ; who, on
the 25th of September, 1757, died and was buried at Oarlisle, along with
the infant child to which she had given birth. He received a call from the
united Ohurches of Oarlisle, Big Spring, and Monahan,now called Dillstown,
and was ordained at Carlisle, September 25, 1761, by the Presbytery of
Donegal.
It is well known that the Presbyterian Ohurches had, for/iome time pre-
viously, been agitated by the revivals of religion that had prevuled, and
were eventually divided, — ^the parties being vulgarly called '* Old Lights "
and " Kew Lights." In Pequea, Fagg's Manor, and Monahan, there had
been gracious effusions of the Divine Spirit. Mr. Duffield was a zealous
advocate and promoter of the revivals of that day, and was very popular as
a preacher. His extemporaneous powers were remarkable, and his dis-
courses rich in evangelical truth, and Ohristian experience. He sympa-
thised with the friends and followers of Whitefield, and especially with
Samuel Davies, and the Tennents, whose preaching was so effective. The
church at Carlisle was one which had been recently formed in the village;
the original settlers having built their church, and worshipped first in the
house erected on their glebe, about two miles West of the borough of
Oarlisle, which became noted by the construction of extensive barracks as a
frontier town. The formation of a new church in the borough, especially
of one whose sympathies differed from those of the original church, —
although it consisted chiefiy of emigrants and settlers from other parts,
who had participated in the revivals of religion of that day, — ^became the
occasion of no inconsiderable difficulty ; and there were obstacles thrown in
the way of Mr. Duffield*s settlement. Various reports of injurious tendency
were put in circulation concerning hun ; and it was alleged especially that
he had written a letter highly derogatory to the character and labours of
the pastor of the original church. Much excitement prevailed, and he
insisted that his letter should be produced, and the matter thoroughly
investigated, previously to his reception and settlement. The result was a
perfect acquittal from the offensive charges, after which his ordination took
place.
Duriing the pendency of his ordination and settlement in Oarlisle, he was
married, March 5, 1759, to Margaret Armstrong, sister of General John
Armstrong, of Bevolutionary memory, who was the &ther of the late
(General John Armstrong, Secretary of War during the administration of
President Madison. By this marriage he had four children, — two of whom
died in infancy. His youngest son, George, was, for many years, connected,
as Begister and Comptroller General, with the administration, of the State
of Pennsylvania, under the late Governor Thomas McKeah.
At the time of his settiement in Carlisle and the united Congregations,
each ten miles distant from the borough, the Indians were numerous in the
vicinity, and often made hostile demonstrations, which required the body
of the male members to arm themselves in self defence. In all these dan-
gers he participated, cheerfully accompanying his flock to the camp, to
administer to Uiem there the consolations of reli^on. The Church at
Monahan was in such an exposed situation, that, as a protection during the
hours of worship, fortifications were thrown around it; behind. which, while
189 . FEESBTTEBIAK.
ihose stationed on flie ximparte kept watoh, the oongregation might, with-
out distraotidn or fear, engage in the wohUp of Ood. During ti^ie period
of peril, the indtitutionB of Ood's house were greatly prised, sooial prayer
was much priustised, and the members of the ohurch were knit together by
the strong ties of oommon faith in their guardian Gh)d, and brotherly aflfeetion
for each other. The late Bey. Dr. John McDowell,* for some time Provost
of the University of Pennsylvania, attributed, under God, his conversion,
when but a youth of eight years of age, to a sermon preached by Mr.
Duffield in the church at Monahan, from Zechariah ix. 12. '* Turn ye,"
&c.; in which he took occasion to illustrate, from the surrounding fortifica-
tions, the only safe defence which sinners can find,-^namely, the Lord
Jesus Ohrist. His deep interest in and sympathy with a population thus
perilled and suflfering on the frontiers, rendered him, throughout the whole
of that region, exceedingly popular. So strong was the attachment to him
that, in all perilous adventures, especially during the Revolutionary struggle,
the men who had to take up arms for their homes, their liberties, and their
lives, always welcomed his vbits in the camp with the most cordial good
will.
Mr. Duffield was a bold and lealous assertor of the rights of conscience,
an earnest and powerful advocate of mvil and religious liberty. Dunng the
pendency of those measures which were maturing the Decimation of Inde-
pendence,— ^while the prospects of tiie Colonies seemed most gloomy, his
preaching contributed greatiy to encourage and animate the friends of
liberty. He was not in the habit of writing out hisr ^courses in full ; but,
having made a skeleton, and arranged his thoughts, awaited the inspiration
of the occasion for the filling up. Several of these unfinished discourses
which remain, breathe a spirit of the most pure and lofty patriotism, end
withal are strikingly prophetic of the glorious scenes which were to open
Dut of all that darkness in which the country was then enveloped*
During his ministry at Oarlisle, he was twice eamestiy called by the
Second Presbyterian Ohurch of Philadelphia, then worshipping in the
Northwest comer of Arch and Third Streets, to become their pastor ; and
the Commissioners, with great seal, prosecuted their call before the Presby-
tery. Both the Presbytery and himself, however, judged that his presence
at Carlisle was of more importance at that time than in PhUadelphia.
In the year 1766, Mr. Duffield was deputed by the Synod, in connec-
tion with the Bev. Charles Beatty, to make a missionary tour, and visit
ihe fiunilies that had pressed their way along the Great YsUey that stretches
through Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ac.,— commencing in the high
lands in the vicinity of Newburgh, and running thence into Pennsylvania,
and diagonally across that State. The object of this mission was to admin-
ister the offices of religion to those families, which had settled in what is
now Franklin County, Pa., and through the range of country where Green-
* Jour MoDowBiiL, » natlvo of Pmm^lTaiilA, wm mdnatod at tbo Vnimtitw of Pomi^l-
▼uda in 1771 1 wm fbr fomo iimo Prindpal of St. Jobn'i CoUege, Annapolto, Nd. t Mooptod
tho ProfMwniiip of Nstonl PhilofophT in tho UniTonitj of Pomiinrlviaift in 1S06, tnd wis
eleoted PzoToii in tho oommonoomont of tho fbllowing voar, whSoh offloo ho olao aoooptod j hot
tho itoto of his hoftlth wm fbnnl to ho inoompotfhlo wiin tho dntios ho hod nndortskon io per-
form> snd in ISIO ho wm oompoUod to Toslgn both oflloss, sod rotirs into tho oonntiy. Ho
ftftorwoxds orinood his ottoohmont to tho institnlion by snpplyinc » tsmponry tmuov oooft-
sionod by tho Tosignatlon of Us sooooswr { and, at a stIU lotorpwiod. by a rorr TaloaUo Doouot
of books. Ho'xooolTod tho dogioo of Bootor of Laws ftom tho Uniroisity of PonuylTada in
1807.
GEORGE DUFFIELD. ;|g9
castle, Hagerstown, and oiher villages, now stand, as far as the Poton^i
with a view to the oi^niiation of chnrohes.
Some time after, Mr. Doffield was called to the Third Presbyterian
Ghoroh in Philadelphia, where he officiated daring the sessions of the
Colonial Oongress, anterior to and daring the Bevolationary straggle. That
charch had been originally a branch of the First Presbyterian Charch, nnder
the care of the Bev. Dr. Ewing. A controversy arose between them
and the parent charch relative to their independence. Both the Presbytery
and Hr. Doffield judged that it was his daty to accept the call, and remove
to Philadelphia. The circumstances under which he was translated to
that charge, in connection with the old feuds that had divided the entire
Presbyterian Church, — ^not yet fully healed,-— although the parts had again
united, retiuning their separate Presbyteries, — ^threw obstacles in the way
of his labours at the commencement of his ministry. He was greatly
admired as a preacher, and was well known as a bold, animated and decided
Whig, resolutely contending against the encroachments on civil and religious
liberty made by the government of Great Britain. On one occasion, shortly
after his appearance in Philadelphia, the large church edifice, then standing
on the comer of Third and Pine streets, which the First Church claimed to
have under its control, was closed, and barred agunst his entrance, by their
order, notwithstanding an appointment had been made for his preaching in
it for the congregation accustomed to worship there, and by their direction.
The house was opened by the officers of the Third Church, and Mr. Duffield
was assisted through the throng that had assembled to hear him, and intro-
duced through a window. News of the people assembling on Sabbath eve-
ning spread, and application was made to Mr. J. Bryant, the King's magis-
trate, to quell what was called a riot. The magistrate proceeded to the
spot, and, shortly after the commencement of public worship, pressed hb
way into the aisle of the church, and before the pulpit, — on the very spot
where, afterwards, Mr. Duf&eld's remains were interred, and where they yet
sleep, commenced, in the name of the King, to read the Biot Act, and
require the people to disperse. The congregation was composed of zealous
Whigs, who could not endure Tory influence or authority. The principal
officer of the congregation, a Mr. Knox, rose and ordered the magistrate to
desist. He refused, and went on with his reading. A second time, the
lealous champion of liberty, in the hearing of all the congregation, with
loud voice, demanded that the magistrate cease from disturbing the worship
of Ch>d. He still refused ; when, witiiout further ado, he seised the magis-
trate, who was a small man, and lifting him up, carried him through the
crowd out of tiie house, and ordered him to begone, and not come back there
to disturb the worship of God. The magistrate bowed to the stem assertor
of popular liberty, and Mr. Duffield went on with his preachixig. But the
next day he was arrested and brought before the Mayor's Court, and was
required to plead to the charge of aiding and abetting a riot, and give bail
for his appearance for trial. He politely and respectfully refused to put in any
plea, or to give bail, averring that, as a minister of Christ, he was perform-,
ing the duties of his office and was no way accessory to a riot, of the exist-
ence of which there was no proof. The Mayor, — the late excellent Mayor
Willing, said that such a procedure would greatiy embarrass tiie Coui;t, whq
would be oompelled to send lum to prison, if he did not plead apd offer bail.
fiOs brother, Samuel Duffield, M. D«, or other of his firiends whomsoever
190 FRSSBTTSBIAK.
he might name, would be aooepted by him u his baiL He gtQl, with the
utmost oonrtesj, deolined. After some entreaty, the Mayor offered himself
to be his bail, not wishing to remand him to prison. He oordlally thanked
his Hononr for his unmerited kindness, bat protested that he stood on the
gronnd of prboiple, that he was oalled in the providenoe of God to assert
the rights and liberty of a minister of Christ, and of a worshipping assem-
bly, and denied the legitimate interference and oognizance of the King's
goyemment in snch matters. The Mayor delayed, for several days, decid-
ing in the case, and requesting him to take the subject into consideration,
suffered him to withdraw to his own house, under the assurance that he
must again appear before the Court, and give his definitiye answer. The
occasion and procedure were productive of great excitement. The news
that the King's goyemment were going to put Mr. Duffield into prison,
spread throogh the city, and into the country, until it reached the region
where he had formerly lived. Here the excitement became so great that
the volunteer forces called the '* Paxtony Boys," to whom he was well known
and by whom he was much beloved, assembled, and resolved to hold them-
selves in readiness to march, though distant a hundred miles and more, to
the city of Philadelphia, if he shovdd be imprisoned, and set him at liberty,
in opposition to the King's government. The occasion and opportunity for
their valour were never afforded ; for he was never again brought before the
Mayor's Court. He was allowed to pursue his ministerial duties, unmo-
lested, and the First Church settled their matters with the branch, and
recognised their right to call the minister of their own choice, without dicta-
tion or control.
Attempts, however, were made to prevent his introduction into the Pres-
bytery to which the First Church and their pastor belonged. He insisted
on his right, according to the social compact, to be received by them, refus-
ing to commence his ministry in Philadelphia, with allowed implications of
his character and orthodoxy. Eventually, when he had been so received, —
that his presence might not molest men who did not sympathise with him
in ecclesiastical matters, he voluntarily applied for, and received, a dismis-
sion to the other Presbytery, with whose members he had more especial
affinity.
During a part of the session of the Colonial Congress, he was employed,
with the Bev. Mr. (afterwards Bishop) White, as Chaplain to that Body.
John Adams attended regularly on his ministry, and communed with lids
church, during the sitting of Congress in Philadelphia.
Mr. Duffield was eminently a man of devotional feelings and habits, and
was instrumental in establishing the first prayer-meeting in any Presbyte-
rian Church in Philadelphia. It continued long after his death, and was
held in the humble dwelling iu which it was first instituted. So much did
he value prayer, and so important did he feel it to be to excite and encour-
age the men that had left their homes and perilled their lives in the cause
of freedom, to look to God and put their trust in Him, that he would occa-
sionally, in the darkest hours of the Bevolution, leave his charge, and repair
to the camp, where the fathers and sons of many of his flock were gathered,
and minister to them in the public preaching of the Word, and personal
converse. When the enemy were lying on Staten Island, and the Ameri-
can troops were on the opposite side of the Sound, on a Sabbath day, he
preached to a portion of the soldiers gathered in an orchard, having ascended
GEORGE DIJFFIELD. JQl
into the forks of a treo for his pulpit. The noise of thdr singing arrested
the enemy's attention, who direoted several oannon shot to be fired towards
the place whenoe it proceeded. As the shot oame rushing through the
trees, he suggested that they should retire behind a hillock, not remote from
the spot where they were, — which was done under the enemy's fire, with-
out injury, and there they finished their religious exercises. He was with
the army in their battles and retreat through Jersey, during that dark and
nearly hopeless period of the Bevolution, and was iJmost the very last man
that crossed the bridge over the stream immediately South of Trenton,
before it was cut down, by order of the American General. For this pre-
servation he was indebted to a Quaker friend, whom he had essentially
uded in his hour of trial, — though of politics opposed to his own, — and
whose deliverance he had been the means of securing. The British officers
had put a price upon his head, and were particularly anxious to destroy
him, because of the influence he exerted among the soldiers of the Ameri-
can army. After the retreat from* Princeton, he had retired to a private
house in Trenton to seek repose, and was not aware that the American
army had taken up their line of march, and had nearly all crossed the
bridge, until his Quaker friend, having ascertained that he was in the town,
bought him out, and gave him the alarm, just in time for him to escape,
before the bridge was destroyed by the retreating army of Washington.
He continued the pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church until the day
of his death, and was greatly respected and beloved by them. His death
was occasioned by an attack of pleurisy, which ensued upon exposure at a
funeral, — ^having officiated on one Sabbath in his pulpit in full health, and
the next lying at the point of death. He died in Philadelphia among the
people of his charge, February 2, 1790, aged fifty-seven years, and was
interred in the middle aisle of the church which had been the scene of his
labours. His Funeral Sermon was preached by the Bev. (afterwards Dr.)
Ashbel Green, from Bevelation xiv, 13.
There is, it is believed, a universally concurring testimony to the fact that
he was an eminently devoted Christian, and an eminently fiiithful minister. In
his natural temper he was buoyant and playful. He was the original of the
"hot mush story," and one or two others of a similar character, when he
was in College ; and, at a still later period, he would sometimes have his
joke, even at the expense of putting in jeopardy the feelings of a friend.
He lived, however, habitually under the influence of invisible and eternal
realities. He was perhaps not more remarkable for any thing than the
strength of his faith. Frequently he was left without means to supply the
immediate necessities of his family; but his faith failed not, and his gra-
cious Lord never forsook him. On one occasion, his son had apprised him,
on Saturday night, that the &milj were nearly destitute of provision, and
that it would be necessary to repair to market early on Monday morning.
He was absolutely without means, and knew not where to look for aid, as
his people also were in a suffering condition ; but he dismissed the subject
from his mind for the Sabbath, remarking to his son, — **The Lord will
provide." During that day, a sealed letter was put into his hands, which,
according to his custom, remuned unopened till Monday morning. On
opening it, it was found to contiun a sum of money sufficient to sustain his
fiimily, till they were otherwise relieved from embarrassment. But whenoe
it oame, or through whom it was sent, he never knew. Thefiuth which, on
192 PBESBTTBBIAir.
Saturday night, prompted liiin to say to hia son,—'* The Lord will pumdet*?
he found, on Monday morning, had been most signally honoured.
He took an active part in the organisation of the Presbyterian Ohuroh
after the Bevolution, and wasthe first Stated Olerk of the General Assem-
bly. He published an Aooount of his tour with Mr. Beatty, along the
frontiers' of Ponnsylyania, and also a Thanksgiving Sermon for the Besto-
ration of Feaoe, December 11, 1783. He received the degree of Doctor
of Divinity from Yale College in 1786.
I am truly yours,
GE0B6E DUFFIELD.
SAMSON OCCOM *
1766—1792.
Samson Oooom was an Indian of the Mohegan tribe, and was bom at
Mohegan, an Indian settlement on the river Thames, between Norwich and
New London, in the year 1723. His parents, like the rest of the Indians,
led a wandering life, and supported themselves chiefly by hunting and fishing.
None of the tribe could read, and none had any better dwellings than wig-
wams. When Ocoom was a boy, the Bev. Mr. Jewett,t minister of the parish
that is now Montville, wjss accustomed to preach to these Indians once a
fortn^ht; and, after a while, a person went among them to teach them to
read. During the great religious excitement that prevailed about the year
1740, the Indians were brought somewhat under a religious influence by
the visits of some of the ministers in that region, and a number In them
were induced to repair to the neighbouring churches. Occom, among others,
became deeply impressed by the truth which he heard, and, after some six
months of anxiety and distress, believed himself to have gained ** the good
hope through grace." This change occurred in the year 1741, when he
was in his eighteenth year.
From the time that his mind became enlightened, and his heart, as he
hoped, renewed, he had a strong desire to become the teacher, especially
the religious teacher, of his tribe. He applied himself diligently to learn
to read, with such helps as he could command, and was soon able to read
the Bible. In December, 1743, he obtained admission into the school kept
by the Bev. Eleaiar Wheelock of Lebanon ; and he remained with him four
years, evincbg, during the whole time, tiie utmost docility and diligence.
In 1748, he taught a school « at New London ; but soon left it, and was
engaged in a school among the Indiians, at Montauk, on Long Island, where
he continued ten or eleven years. At first, he was* there simply in the
capacity of a teacher ; and he devoted himself with great seal and fidelity
to the instruction of both children and adults ; but having, after some time,
received license to preach from the Windham (Oonn.) Association, he joined
to his office as teacher, that of preacher ; and he preached not only to
*Biidl>a Old. S«niu— DwMVS Trav., n^— ICui. Hlit. Coll. IT, Y, TX, ^— jJltB'
Biog. Dlet»-<— Boo. wi^^ Now York^ lY.
ti>Av» JBwnv WM gndniitod at Horaid OoDmo in 1799; wm ordolnod ptator of thf
-^—\ in MflBtrlDo, Oonn., Oolobor S, 1799; Mid diod Jnio B, 1788, tftd lixtj-iiino.
SAXSOK OGCOK. 293
the IndjuiB at Montank in their own language, bat also to the Skeneoook
and Yeneoook Indiana, distant some thirty miles. A oonsiderable namber
of the Indians at Montauk were hopefully oonverted under his ministry. In
speaking of the results of his labours here, after six years, he says, — *' Many
of them" (the Indians) '* ean read, write and cypher well, but they are not
so lealous in religion now, as they were some years ago." His style of
living, during his residence here, was well suited to the society with whioh
he mingled. Hb house was covered with mats, and he changed his abode
twice a year, that he might be near the planting ground in the summer, and
the wood in the winter. As a means of obtaining his subsistence, he not
only used his fish hook and gun freely, but bound old books for the people
of East Hampton, stocked guns, mado wooden spoons, cedar pails, and
various other domestic utensils.
On the 80th of August, 1759, Mr. Oocom was ordained by the Presby-
tery of Suffolk; and he retained his connection with the Presbyterian
Ohurch till the close of life.
In June, 1761, he went, under the direction of the Correspondents of the
Society in Scotland for propagating Ohristian Knowledge, on a mission to
the Onoyda (Oneida) Indians. The Oorrespondents, in a letter introducmg
him to Sir William Johnson, — after having set forth the importance of his
mission, say — ** We cannot doubt but that it will meet with your ready
approbation, and therefore with the favour of your countenance and protec-
tion, and that you will be pleased to furnish Mr. Occom with such a pass,
and such recommendations, as you shall judge proper to answer the great
ends proposed." How long his mission continued does not appear ; but it
would seem to have been for only a short time.
In the beginning of the year 1766, Mr. Occom, by request of Dr.
WheelocL, accompanied the Bev. Nathaniel Whitaker, then of Norwich,
Oonn., to England, to procure funds for Moor's Oharity School. He was
the first Indian preacher that ever appeared in Great Britain, and was of
course an object of great curiosity and interest. The houses in which he
preached were generally thronged with listening and gaxing multitudes.
He passed from England into Scotland ; and from February 16, 1766» to
July 22, 1767, he preached between three and four hundred sermons. He
was eminently successful in regard to the object of his mission, — ^the amount
of his collections in England and Scotland bemg upwards of ten thousand
pounds sterling. The King himself subscribed two hundred pounds, and
Lord Dartmouth fifty guineas. It seems, however, from tlM following
extract of a letter which he wrote, after his return, that his object met wi^
no great favour from the dignitaries of the Established Ohurch ; and the
tone of the extract may help to illustrate his own character : —
'* Now I am in my own country, I may freely inform you of what I
honestly and soberly think of the Bishops, Lord Bishops, -and Arohbishopa
of England. In my view, they donH look like Gbspel Bishops or ministers
of Ohrist I can't find them in the Bible. I think they a good deal
resemble the Anti-ohristian Popes. I find the Gospel Bishops resemble, in
some good measure, their good Master; and they follow Him in the example
He has left them. They discover meekness and humility ; are gentle and
kind unto all men — ^ready to do good unto all — ^they are compassionate and
merciful unto the miserable, and charitable to the poor. But I did not
find the Bishops of England so. Upon my word, if I never spoke the truth
Vol. in. 26
194 PBBSBTTEBLUr.
before, I do now. I waited on a number of BiBhopa, and represented to
them the miserable and wretohed aitoation of the poor Indians, who are
perishing for laok of spiritual Imowledge, and begged their assistanee in
evangelizing these poor heathen. Bat if yon oan believe me, they never
gave OS one single brass farthug. It seems to me that they are very bdif-
ferent whether the poor Indians go to Heaven or Hell. I can't help my
thoughts; and I am apt to think they don't want the Indians to go to
Heaven with them."
After his return to this country, he resided at Mohegan, though he was
often employed in missionary labours among distant Indians. In 1786, he
removed with a number of the New England Indians, and a few from Long
Island, to what was called the Brotherton Tract, in Oneida County N. Y.,
in the neighbourhood of the Stockbridge Indians, who were of Mohegan
descent, and had been under the instruction of Mr. Sergeant and Mr.
Edwards. His last years he spent with the Indians, chiefly at New Stock-
bridge, near Brotherton, though he was engaged for some time in teaching a
school at Tusoarora. In 1790, he was set o£f from the Presbytery of Suf-
folk, with others, to constitute the Presbytery of Albany. He died sud-
denly, July 14, 1792, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. For some time
previous, he had had a presentiment that his death was near. Having been
aoeustomed, in early life, to the manufiusture of pails and cooper-ware, he
returned to this employment in his old age, as his leisure and strength
would permit. He remarked to his wife, one day, that he must finish an
article that he had commenced, soon, or he might not live to do it. He
went to his work, finished the article, and set out to return. His wife saw
him approaching the house; but, on looking a few moments after, noticed
that he had' fallen ; and, on going to him, found that he was dead. His
funeral was attended by more than three hundred Indians; and a Sermon
was preached on the occasion by the missionary, Bev. Samuel Kirkland.
Mr. Oocom, though generally exemplary in his deportment, occasionally
yielded to excess in the use of intoxicating liquors. In one instance at
least, this either drew upon him the discipline of the Ohuroh, or drew from
him a voluntary oonfession ; for, in a letter to the Presbytery of Sufiblk,
dttted June 9, 1764, he says — **I have been shamefully overtaken with
strong drink, by which I have greatly wounded the cause of Ood, blem-
ished the pure religion of Jesus Ohrist, blackened my own character, and
hurt my own souL" In his latter years, iiis life is said to have been
entirely exemplary. His relij^ous character was thought to have suffered
ibr the time, at least in respect to humility, from the flattering attentions
he received in England.
He published a Sermon at the execution of Moses Paul, an Indian, at
New Haven, 1772. An account of the Montauk Indians, written by him,
k preserved in the OoUections of the Massachusetts Hirtorioal Society,
vol. z. He ocoasionally tried his hand at poetiy, and several of his Hymns
are still extant.
The tcXLoming testimony concerning him, is given by Prendent Dwight,
ia his Traveb — YciL ii.:
" I heard Xr. Oeoom twice. Hit dlaoooraes, though not proofr of superior talenti,
were decent, and his utterance in some degree eloquent. His ohaimoter at times
laboured unoer some imputations. Yet there are good reasons to believe that most,
If not an. of them were unfounded; and there it latitfkctory eyidenoe that he wat t
aancfiilety. During seTeral years, <the last of hit life,) he lived within the bounds
SAMSGS OOOOU. IQQ
of the Presbytery of Albaay. By a respectable clergymaa belongliig to tbai Bodjj I
have been informed tbat he was regularly received into their nnmnBr; that he was
esteemed by them a good mism and a usefol minister; that he was nncensnrable la his
lift; and that he was lamented and hononred at his death.''
Abont the time of his leaving Montaak, Dr. Baell, of East HaibptOBy
wrote conoeming him aa follows: —
** As a preacher of the Grospel, he seems always to have in view the end of the minis-
try,—the glory of Grod and the salvation of men. His manner of expression, when
he preaches to the Indians, Is vastly more natural, firee, clear and eloquent, quick and
powerflil, than when he preaches to others. He is the glory of the Indian nation."
FBOM THE BEY. DAI7IEL WALDO.
Gbddbs, Jnly 7, 1868.
. Dear Sir: It is not much that I can tell you, from personal recollection, of
the Bey. Samson Occom, though I distinctly remember to have heard him preach
when I was about fourteen years of age. He preached, on one occasion, in an
old meeting-house, in the part of Franklin, Conn., then known as Pettipapg;
and, as it was only a few miles from my native place, I was attracted, in com-
pany with many others, by his reputation as an Indian preacher, to hear him.
He made an impression on my youthful mind, which has remained in a good
degree of vividness, through the long period of seventynseven years, — an evi-
dence that the impression must have originally been one of no inconsiderable
strei^h.
Mr. Occom, at the time referred to, seemed to me to be a man between fifty
and sixty years of age. He was of about the medium height, had rather a
round face, and a bright intelligent expression, with a full share of the Indian
look. There was nothing in his general manner, as far as I remember, to mark
him as one of the sons of the forest; but his English education might naturally
be expected to eradicate, in a great measure, his original Indian peculiarities.
H]9 voice was pleasant, but not very loud — sufficiently so, however, to aooom-
modate any ordinary assemblage. His dress was entirely English. I do not
remember his text, but I recollect that his subject led him to speak somewhat a*
length of what he called a traditionary religion; and he told an anecdote by way
of illustration. An old Indian, he said, had a knife which he kept till he wove
the blade out; and then his son took it and put a new blade to the handle, and
kept it till he had worn the handle out; and this process went on till the knili
had had half a dozen blades, and as many handles; but still it was all the time
the same knife. I cannot be very particukr as to the application he made of H,
but the story I remember well, and it seemed to me at the time to be very pei^
nent to the object for which it was told.
His manner in the pulpit, as I remember it, was serious and manly; and lie
spoke without notes, and with a freedom which showed that he had a good com-
mand of his subject. He was undoubtedly a man of much more than ordinary
talents, and though, for some time, a dond rested over him, I believe those who
bad the best opportunity of Judging, were disposed, on the whole, to think weQ
of his Ohristian character.
Very truly yoom,
DAIOEL ITALDa
Xgg FRSSBYTSfilAH;
HENRY PATILLO .♦
1767—1801.
HxNBT PATiLLo'was boTD ilk Sootlaad, in the year 1726. He oame to
this coaiitTy with an elder brother, when he was nine years old. He took
up his residence, for a time, as a merchant's clerk, in the Proyinoe of Vir-
ginia ; and notwithstanding he had received a religions education, yet, in
tixe absence of the restraints to which he had been accnstomed in his child-
hood, he now, for a time, yielded to the power of temptation. Leaving the
oounting-honse, he engaged as a teacher of youth ; and, while thus employed,
became the subject of deep religious convictions. He continued his labours
as a teacher, in two or three Presbyterian Congregations, successively; and,
during the whole time, his mind seems to have been exercised in regard to
his reladons to Ood as a sinner ; but it was not till after a year or two,
that he obtained comforting and satisiMtory views of evangelical truth.
In a record which he has left of his own ezercbes subsequent to this, he
states that, in the warmth of his feelings, he fell into the error of makbg
his own experience too much a standard by which to judge of the experience
of other professed Christians ; but that farther reflection and observation
led him to oorrect the error.
After his hopeful oonversion, he felt deeply anxious in respect to the
spiritual eondition of those around him, and in this state of feeling cher-
ished the desire, and at length formed the purpose, of devoting himself to
the Ghristiaki ministry. He now fell in with the Bev. John Thomson, of
the Donegal Presbytery, Pa., who was on a visit to the Carolinas, and who
invited him to go to Pennsylvania, and prosecute his studies prepara-
tory to the ministry, under his care. He accepted the invitation, and
actually set out on his journey, but, after a few hours, was arrested by a
violent attack of pleurisy, which not only obliged him to return, but in its
remoter effects, rendered him incapable of much exertion for several months.
The result was that his project for going to Pennsylvania was given up ;
uid the next year (1761,) the Bev. Samuel Davies, then residing in Han-
over, Va., bebg on a preaching excursion to the Boanoko, met with Mr.
Patillo, and, having learned his wish to enter the ministry, kindly offered
to reoeive him under his care as a theological student. Mr. P. thankfully
aMi6pted die offer, and arrived at Mr. Davies' house in Hanover on the 1st
of August.
M He. ptfcsued his studies under the instruction of Mr. Davies^ until 1758,
wheaihat eminent man went on a mission to Great Britain in behalf of
Princeton College; and, on his return, about the beginning of 1765, Mr.
Patillo resumM his studies under him, and continued to enjoy the benefit
of hii instlruotion tindl he was licensed to preach.
In die summer of 1755, he was married to a Miss Anderson. He had
consulted Mr. Davies on the subject, and had received from him an opin-
ion adverse to his forming the connecdon at that time; and though, at &rst,
he was inclined to listen to Mr. Davies' advice, yet, on mature oonsidera-
•Foott'sSkcldiwor K. 0.— KB. from Est. Dr. Anhlbeld Atonnte.— Life of Dr. Atoz
HBKBT PATILLO. I^y
tion, he felt oonstrained, in honour, to cany ont his preyioiu purp'one.
While he resided in Hanover, he was sustained partly by the Undness of
friends, and partly by teaching a few children daring several hoars of each
day ; and, after his marriage, he seems to have depended somewhat on tho
pecuniary resources of his wife. They lived on a most economical scale ;
and in 1757, the small cabin which they occupied as a dwelling, was struck
by lightning, and though it had in it eleven persons, they all escaped
unhurt.
On the 28th of September, 1757, Mr. Fatillo, having gone through all
his Presby terial examinations and trials, was licensed to preach bj the Pres-
bytery of Hanover. His ordination took place at Cumberland, on the 12th
of July, 1758. On the 27th of September following, ho accepted a call
from the Churches of Willis Creek, Byrd, and Buck Island. Having
remained with these Congregations about four years, he was dismissed from
his charge, ou the 7th of October, 1762, on the ground of an inadequate
support. In May, 1768, he began to supply the Churches of Cumberland,
Harrifl Creek, and Deep Creek, and continued with them two years. At a
meeting of the Presbytery at Hico, on the 2d of October, 1765, a call was
presented to him from Hawfields, Eno, and Little Biver. This call he
accepted, and immediately removed to North Carolina, where he spent the
remainder of his life. He, however, retained this charge only until the
year 1774.
In 1776, he was elected one of the delegates for the County of Bute,
(now Warren and Franklin,) to the first Provincial Congress of North Caro-
Una. He accepted the appointment, and not only acted as one of the Chap-
lains of that body, but when, on a certidn occasion of great interest, they
resolved themselves into a Committee of the whole, he was unanimously
appointed Chairman. It is hardly necessary to add that he was a aealous
friend to those measures which hastened on the Bevolution.
In 1780, he became pastor of the Congregations of Nutbush and Grassy
Creek, — composed originally of emigrants from Virginia, who had been
trained under the mmistry of the Bev. Samuel Davies and his coadjutors.
Here he continued his labours till they were termmated by death, in the
year 1801 ; when he had nearly completed his seventy-fifth year. He died
at a distance from home, in Dinwiddie County, Ya., whither he had gone on
a sort of missionary excursion. In his last moments, he evinced a triumph-
ant faith. His Funeral Sermon was preached by the Rev. Drury Lacy.
Mr. Patillo, during several years of his ministry, was occupied partiy in
the instruction of youth. Though he never enjoyed the advantages of a
collegiate education, as he had at one time hoped to do, he had the reputa-
tion of being a good classical scholar, and was a highly successful teacher.
In 1787, the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by Hamp-
den Sidney College.
In 1787, Mr. Patillo published a small volume containing three Sermons —
namely, on Divisions among Christians ; on the Necessity of Begeneration ;
and on the Scripture doctrine of Election. A note appended to one of'
these Discourses broached the same doctrine concerning Christ's human
nature, of which Bdward Irving has since been so distinguished an expo-
nent. At a later period, ho published an Abridgment of Leland's Deisti-
eal writers, and a Sermon on the death of WasUngton. He also left in
manusoript some Essays on Baptism, and on Universalism ; a Catechism of
198 PBESBTTEBIAV.
^doetrine for youdi, and % OateoliiBm or Oompend in qiustion and answer,
for the nae of adults. He also prepared a Oeography for youth, which is said
to h&ye possessed very considerable merit.
The following mcident concerning Mr. Patillo is related by Dr. Alex-
ander:—
'* WhUa I WIS minister In Charlotte, the old gentleman came once to paj his last
▼Isit to his firiends In Virginia. I made a string of appofaitments for him, reaching
from Gah Creek to Comberlandi and accompanied him the whole round. It was pre-
Tionsly suggested to a fow, as we passed from place to place, that it would be weu to
make a contribution to aid the agml serrant of God. When we had finished our tour,
I had in my saddle bags about thhrty dcdlars, which the people had freely giyeii. As
I handed him the sUver coin, (for we had then never seen a bank note,) the good old
man appeared to be penetrated with gratitude."
FBOM MBS. DR. JOHN H. BIGS.
NxAK Hampdiv Smvar Coklms, April 19, 1864.
My dear Sir: Though the Rev. Henry Patillo lived a considerable distance
from my Other's ressdenccy he often trsYelled through our region, and came fre-
quently to our house, where he was always a most welcome visitor. At a still
earlier period, I have heard it said that he was familiar in my grand&ther'a
house; so that he may be said to have been an acquaintance of the family during
three generations. I wss a girl of not more than fifteen, when I knew him, but
tiiere was so much in his appearance and manner that was striking and peculiar,
that time has done little to efface the impressions I receiYed respecting him. I
hare also many traditionary impressbns of him, which I hare reoeired through
aome of his intimate firiends; so that, on the whole, I may Ycnture, with some
degree of confidence, to say something, fii compliance with your wishes, in
fsspect to his character.
Mr. Patillo, if my memory serres me, had a large firame, and considerably
more than the ordinary degree of flesh. I think his features were rather large
and coarse, though his fkce easily lighted up with a smile of good-will. He
seemed to be an eminently derout and godly man, and delighted to couYerse on
anijects connected with experimental rdlgion; and yet he was one of the most
cheerfhl and good-humoured persons I ever knew. It seemed natural for him
to aay droll things; and he would sometimes keep a whole company couYulsed,
apparently without being conscious that he was doing it. He had great fhink-
neaa of character, and would nerer even Seem to dissemble in the smallest mat-
ten, though I have heard of cases in which he almost made himaelf ridiculoua
In avoiding the appearance of it. He was of a most contented and happy turn
of mind, and though always poor, never seemed to regard his lot as a hard one.
Be was a great lover of books, and is said to have indulged his taste in that
lespect quite as much as his circumstances would warrant. His house, during
Vm absence at a certain time, was burnt ; and when he met his wile, on his
return, his first ezdamation was—" My dear, are my books salb? " and on
teoaiving an affirmative answer, he thanked God, and seemed peiftctly satis-
fled. I think he was uncommonly affectionate In hia Interoonrse : he used alwaya
to address my mother aa hia daughter; and he waa agreat fiivonrite with all the
difidrsn.
I heard him preach, though I remember little more conosming it, than that,
like hia converaation, it was striking, and occaaionally, I tlunk, bordering on the
ludicrous. He had a loud voice, spoke with great earnestness, and waa listened
to with much attention. J remember once seeing him at the house of my uncle,
|he Rev. Drury Lacy, ibr whom he had come to preach. Mr. Lacy had bat
ifne hand; and yet', by a dexterous use of it, he waa able, with great i^cilify, to
nake a pen. Mr. Patillo, aa a matter of curiosity, handed Um a quiO, and
HEVBT PATILLO. 199
Mked him to nutke a pen for him. He immediatolj set aboat it, and in a short
time gare him the pen. *' Whjt" said Mr. P., ** I oonld hf^re done that as veil
as yon.'' '< And whj did yon not do it, then? '' " Oh, becansel wanted toaee
yon work with yonr one hand."
That yon may know in what estimation Mr. Fatillo was held by Mr. Laoy,
who was long his intimate friend, I subjoin the following extract of a Sermon
which Mr. L. preached on the occasion of his death: —
** Possessed of an originality of genius, and endowed by nature with powers
of mind superior to the common lot of men, he cheerfully determined to conse-
crate them all to the serrice of the Sa^ionr, in the Gospel ministry. That the
Scriptures were his delight, and that he meditated on them day and night, so as
to become well versed in their doctrines and precepts, aU who had the pleasure
of his acquaintance, all who erer heard him preach, and all who have read hia
printed works, can not be ignorant. That he doYOted his time and talenjte to the
serrice of Ood, his works of faith and labours of lore among yon, and as ihr as
he had an opportunity of traTcUing to preach, abundantly testily. His seal was
so far from being diminished by age, that it OYidently appeared to increase; as
if the near prospect of obtaining the crown animated him to greater ezertbns
to be found worthy of it. My hearers! Can you hare forgotten the ardour and
pertinacity of ids prayers, the weight of his argumente, the ferrour of his ezhor-
tetions, and the persuasiyeness of his counsels? Did he not visit your bedside
when you were sick, and there communicate heavenly instruction, to revive your
fainting spirits, and pour forth the fervent prayer to God that your affliction
might be sanctified? And in the social intercourse of fKendship, you must
remember how readily he improved every occurrence to communicate usefUl and
religious knowledge. That his lifb was a pattern of resignation and thankfbl-
ness has been remarked even by those who had but a slight acquaintonce with
him. Always cheerfbl, ha seemed more disposed' to bless the hand of Provi*
dence for the favours he enjoyed, than to think hardly of any afflictive dispenaa-
tion he suffered. When was the tenor of his soul so lost and discomposed as to
unfit him for the discharge of the sacred duties of lus office? "
With best wishes for your success in every good word and work,
I remain truly yours,
ANNS S. BIOS.
-•♦-
JAMES LATTA, D. D.
1768—1801.
VBOK THS RSY. BOBEBT P. DU B0I8.
Naw LovDOV, Pa., Kay 9, 186^.
Dear Sir : Tou have requested me to prepare a sketoh of the life of the
late Bev. James Latta, J>. B., for insertion in yonr forthcoming worL In
this request his only surviving son has joined. However incompetent fj»
such a task, yet thus solicited, I feel encouraged to make the attempt, f |>r
the sake of your readers, who will naturally inquire how &r they may oojt-
fide in my stetemento, it seems neoessary to observe concerning myself, thai
I am married to the eldest daughter of one of his sons,— the late Sev. John
200 PRBBBTTBBIAIF.
B. Latta, and that my &tlier» the late Ber. Uriah Da Boia/ was hia siio-
oeeaor for twenty-three yean b hb first oharge. As Stated Clerk, I hate
aooess to the Beoords of the Newesstle Presbytery, of whioh he was a
member for thirty years.* I have also examined the prmted Beoords of
Synod. I have reoeired commonioations from his son and daughter, his
danghter-in-law, his suooessor in his seoond eharge, and Mr. David Soott, a
venerable elder in that ohoroh, who remembers him well. In addition to
these, I have in my possession a copy of the '* Christian's Magaiine " for
July 1810, which contains a memoir of him, in seven octavo pages, sap-
posed, by his family, to have been written by an eminent divine, once hu
pupil, and afterwards his friend and co-presbyter, the late Bev. Dr. Samuel
Hartin, of Chanceford, Pa. Still, with all these sources of information
before me, I have been' surprised to find how few things connected with the
life of this good man, so long prominent in the church and in society,
relentless time, has spared.
Jahxb Latta, was bom in Ireland, in the winter of 1782. Hu family
was Protestant, of the Scotch Irish Presbyterian stock. His mother's
maiden name was Alison ; and she was related to the Bev. Dr. Francis
Alison. Nothing more is known of the family in Ireland. His parents
migrated to this country, when he was about six or seven years of age,
bringbg him with them. The vessel in which they sailed from Ireland was
wrecked upon the American coast, and the fiEtmily records being then lost,
the exact date of his birth is not known. They settled near Elkton, Hd.,
and are believed to have been connected with the Elk Biver Congregation,
—now called '* the Bock." He, once, in riding by a graveyard belongmg to
that church, pointed it out to a daughter who was with Um, as the place
where his parents were buried.
The time of his spiritual birth is also uncertain. He appears to have been
one of those few whose hearts are renewed in early ohildhbod, if not from
the beginning of their lives. When a mer^ child, he diJBcbVered a vexy
serious and thoughtful' turn of mind, and a pious gravity &r beyond his
years. Two illnstrations of this are preserved in the family. One occurred
at the time of the shipwreck referred to. During the three days and nights
that he remained with others on board the foundering vessel, before they
could be relieved, — so remarkable was his attachment to his Bible, that he
kept it contbually under his arm. He seemed to think thett the most
precious of his treasures, and if he should go down, that he must carry it
with him. The other was aboat seven years later, when, from home at
•Vriam DvBois wuagrMt-graai-gnuidMnof Looif IHiBoif, whowMdriTon ttmnFnneem
Mooont of hii nligloii, and loUled in New Pftlta, now in tTlttor Oonnty, N. T., abont IMO.
Ho (Uriah) waa bom in PiUiatoTo towmhip, Salom Coonty, N. J., in 1768 ; wai mdvated at
•ad initallod aa noitor of the Chnrohei of Deep Bon and Tinionm, bj the nine ynahjtmcj,
December 16, 1798. In 1804, he reiicned hie charge at Tinienm, and remoTed flrom Deep Bnn
ywiii»w» turn X vsa.> Bwauv v« JMV flUJIMB rmMMUK V9 HUD Ul • UaTKOaiOT* WHHOVVr, mUU OW ■OrBHRW
being pnaohed in a ilttittg posture. He died September 10, I8St, in hie fifty-fo<irth year. He
tne a man of great enefgyaad indnstiy, an exeellent dafldeal eefaolar, an aooompliahed
faulraoter, and an einieft and attiaetire pieaeher.
JIMES LATTA. 201
school. So much was he esteemed for his piety by those who knew him,* that
families with whom he Tesided looked np to him to lead their wordup,
although but fonrteen years of age ; and he did it with an understand!^
that charmed and astonished all who heard him. *
This pious turn of mind, together with his promising talents, his thirst
for knowledge, and the advice of judicious friends, prompted his parents to
gire him a liberal education. He was, accordingly, placed under the care
of the Bev. Br. Francis Alison, at that time Pastor of the Church of New
London, in Chester County, Pa., and also the Principal of a classical school
at the same place. This was the school, which the Synod of Philadelphia, in
1744, adopted as their own, paying the salaries of the Master and Tutor by
yearly contributions from their churches, and offering ** gratuitous instruc-
tion in the languages, philosophy, and divinity, to all persons who may please
to send their children.'* Here were trained up, under this deservedly famous
teacher and scholar, many youth, who, in their turn, became eminent in the
Church or the State. Amongst these the subject of this sketch made rapid
improvement in useful knowledge, and in religious experience.
In the year 1752, Dr. AIIbod, having been chosen a Professor and Vice
Provost of the College of Philadelphia, then being established, and noW
styled the University of Pennsylvania, removed thither. His young
pupil soon followed him, and having there completed his collegiate educa-
tion, he received his degree at the first Commencement that took place in
this new seminary. As a proof of his high standing there, ho had assigned
to him on that occasion, the Salutatory Oration in Latin, — an exercise
allotted to the member of the class reputed to be the best scholar. I have
before me his diploma, as Master of Arts, bearing date May 1, 1760, and
stating on its fiice that he had received his first degree of A. B. on the
17th of May, 1757.
The Trustees of the College, being favourably impressed with his char-
acter and attainments, offered him a situation as Tutor. This place he
accepted and held for a few years, still pursuing his fitvourite study, —
Divinity, under the same instructor, who had so long guided him in the
pursuit of knowledge. Having put himself under the care of the Presby-
tery of Philadelphia, and passed his trials with much approbation, he was
licensed by it to preach the Oospel on the 15th of February, 1758. He
still remained, however, in the College as Tutor, pursuing his studies under
Dr. Alison, and enjoying the advantage of submitting his sermons to the
inspection of that venerable theologian. He acquired in this way, that
accuracy in the style and structure of his sermons, for which he was ever
after remarkable.
The Synod, at its meeting in May, 1759, directed him to "visit the
Indians" in the summer of that year, and in November following, to go
with several others on a mission to the then destitute settlements of Vir-
ginia and Carolina. The former of these appointments he did not fulfil,
for reasons which were sustained by the Synod ; but the latter he faithfully
discharged, spending some time in those Southern parts.
Mr. Latta was ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia in October,
1759, — ^it would appear as an evangelist, and very probably in reference
to the mission to the South, on which he was to go in the following month.
The Congregation of Deep Bun, in Bucks County, Pa.,- having presented
to him a cadi, it wiis accepted by him, and he was installed there in the
ToL. m. 26
202 FBBSETTEBIAH.
year 1761. At thai tune, Deep Bon wm a Presbyterian flettlement, and
the ohnroh floariahuig. In after times, the Gtermana took poBseasion of
that region, and the congregation became very amalL During the pastorate
of Mr. Latta, the lot of ground on which the ohnroh stands, and the par^
sonage house and farm, were deeded, by the Hon. William Allen of Phila^
delphia, to him and his suooessors in the ministry, for the use of the con-
gregation.
On the 28ih day of May, 1762, the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia
was set off by the Synod from the Presbytery of Philadelphia. This con-
sisted of five mbisters, of whom Mr. Latta was one ; and they were aU
strenuous advocates of what was called the Old Side. It appears from cer-
tain dissents and protests, in 1766, when an ineffectual attempt was made
in Synod to reunite the two Presbyteries, that this Second Presbytery had
been formed on the elective affinity principle, as its members professed to
be conscientiously opposed to the practice of examining candidates for the
ministry on their experimental acquaintance with religion, which the Synod
had approved of; and had declared that sooner than remain in a Presbytery
which pursued that practice, they would break off from all connection with
the Synod.
In the year 1770, Mr. Latta resigned the charge of Deep Bun. About
that time, he was called to the pastoral care of the Congregation of Ches-
nut Level, in Lancaster Oounty, Pa, — ^which belonged to the Presbytery of
Newcastle. This call was accepted, and he was received as a member by
that Presbytery on the 16th of May, 1771, and on the second Tuesday of
November follovring, was installed in the pastoral office by Messrs. Alexan-
der McDowell and William Foster.^ The congregation, at that time, was
widely scattered and very weak. The salary promised in the call was only
one hundred pounds, Pennsylvania currency, which, *<says Mr. Scott, (the
elder above referred to,) *'was never increased, and rarely all paid."
Through the importunity of some friends, who wished to educate their sons,
he was prevailed on (though not without great reluctance, lest it should
interfere with his pastoral duties, to which he desired wholly to devote him-
self) to take a few pupils under his care. This led the way to numerous
appUcations of the same kind, so that he was induced to employ an usher,
that he might have more time to attend to his ministry. This school
was continued under his direction for several years, and was acquiring
celebrity ; but the Revolutionary war, breaking out, arrested its progress.
The usher and several of the older scholars joined the army, and he being
unwilling to have the sole charge of it, it was dosed. After the war, as
soon as learning became again an object of pursuit, a Latin School was
established at Chestnut Level by Mr. Sampson Smith ; but Mr. Smith hav-
ing been suddenly killed, by a stroke of lightning, his pupils were left with-
out an instructor. Here, again, Mr. Latta was constrained to take up a
charge which, in his own mind, he had resolved never to resume. The eyes
of these young men were directed towsrds him, and their affecting solicita-
tions to take them under his care, in their desolate situation, were irresisti-
ble. He continued to hsve charge of the school for several years, but
•William Voms (oltmi ipeUtd Fortt^r) ma mdoAtad tX the OoUMe of How Jonoj in
1764} wMUoenMdto prooohbj tlio PreaVjioiy of Nowoootio, April tt, 17671 Mooploda«U
from Uppor Ootoron, whore ho wm oidoliied and iMtaUed Ootobor 19, 1768| ond died la 8op-
tombor, 1780. He hod » high ftMdiag ai a mlnlitor, and ooooihwiony roool?od under hit oaro
JAMES LATTA. 208
gare it up some time before his death. Serenl dietiiignished men were
edueated at this sohool. The inoome derived from it, added to his meagre
ealary, enabled him to pnrchaae a farm, bnild a honae npon it, and support
his large fiimily with deoenoy and comfort.
Mr. Latta took a deep interest in the oanse of Amerioan liberty, and
firmly and lealonsly espoused that cause both by word and deed. He
stimulated his people to defend their rights, and once, in the course of the
war, when an unusual number of them were drafted to serve in the militia,
with a view to encourage them, he took his blanket and knapsack, like a
soldier, and actually accompanied them on their campugn. At another
time, he served for a while in the army as a Chaplain.
About the year 1785, many congregations in this region were agitated
upon the subject of procuring Acts of Incorporation from the State. Some
of the people were in favour of this measure, whilst others vehemently
opposed it, on the ground that if they were members of chartered bodies,
their estates would be encumbered, as by a mortgage for arrears of salary.
This controversy became very earnest at Chestnut Level. A petition was
sent to the Legislature for a charter, in which, it would appear, the pastor
concurred. This gave rise to a remonstrance against the petition, which
was signed by a part of the congregation, and which had even the appear-
ance of reflecting on the moral character of their minister. At least, it was
80 understood by him. The consequences were, great distress to his own
mind, much strife and discord among the people of his charge, and the
excluding from church privileges of some of the members. In this painful
state of things, Mr. Latta called a special meeting of the Presbytery. It
appears, from their Beoords, that they laboured in the matter, part of two
days, patiently heard both parties, and, as the result, found (to use their
own language) '* that the evils compluned of had taken their rise from
mistaken apprehensions and injurious representations of the nature and
design of the petition before mentioned ; and that the persons' complained
of, whatever their paper might imply, disavowed all intention of impeaching
Mr. Latta's character, or preventing hu usefulness. The Presbytery,
therefore, being desirous to adopt the most lenient and healing measures,
agreed to take their solemn declaration to that purpose, as being a fall
justification of Mr. Latta's character and conduct. Accordingly, all the
persons complained of, who were present, declared, one by one, in the most
solemn manner, that they did not intend, by any means, to injure the
character, bterest, or usefalness, of Mr. Latta, as a minister of the Ghwpel."
The Presbytery then, having restored them to their former standing,
^* exhorted all parties to unity, and to the cultivation of peace and brotherly
love, and to the manifestation of a due respect to Mr. Latta." Thus was
closed a breach that, at one time, threatened wide spread evil. This, so
for as I can ascertain, was the only serious disagreement that Mr. Latta
ever had with any of his people ; and the result of it was certainly vexy
oreditable and honourable to him, and proved that, however some of them
might, for a season, be led away by passion, he had in reality the confi*
donee and heartfelt attachment of them all.
A few years afterward, some of the neighbouring churches began to
introduce the Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts into their public worship.
This was also an exciting subject in its day. Mr. Latta warmly advocated
the new Psalmody, and laboured hard to have it brought into use among
204 FBSSBYTKKIAH..
his people ; but so earnM waa Uie opporition, on the part of Bome of liis
lea^ng memberS) ihfdi it lieyer waa aooompliahed in hia day, and not aiitll
all these persons bad been remiorcki bj deatJi. At that time, the Bey. John
Anderson, a minister of the Associate Ghoroh, wrote a Treatise on Psalmod j,
stron^y reprobating the nse of Watts, and challenging its friends to a vin-
dication of it. This gave Mr. Latta an opportunity of publishing his views
at large on the subject. He accepted the challenge, and sent forth a
pamphlet of a hundred and eig^t octavo pages, the object of which was to
show that the principal subjects of Psalmody should be taken from the
Gospel. The pamphlet was never answered ; and the high estimation in
which it was held, at that time, is evident from the £Mt that it passed
through four editions. This is the only work that he ever published.
The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him,
about the close of the last century, — ^it is believed, by the University of
Pennsylvania.*
Dr. Latta laboured on in the ministry, until very near the close of life.
In December, a month before his decease, he attended a meeting of his
Presbytery at New London, twenty miles from home. The circumstances of
his death, as related by one of his daughters to my mother-in-law, were as fol-
lows : — Biding to church one Sabbath with his daughter Mary, he was thrown
from the carriage, and fiJling on his head, he was somewhat stunned. He
observed to her, — " I am killed ; but do not tell your mother." He pro-
oeeded to church, preached with some difficulty, and returned home. He
soon after fell into a sleepy, comatose state, until the daughter, the next
day, alarmed, related to her mother what had happened. Help was imme-
diately called in, but in vain. He continued a few days, almost insensible,
and then died. Thus no opportumty was afforded to his fumily and friends
to enjoy the advantages of his conversation in his last moments. He died
on the 29th of January, 1801, near the close of his sixty-eighth year.
** His personal appearance," says Mr. Scott, <* was not great, — slightly
stooping, he appeared rather below the medium height — very spare of flesh,
he always looked older than his years. There was in him a blending of
cheerfulness and gravity rarely met with." An old lady, describing him as
she had seen him alight from his horse, with his venerable countenance,
and his long white hur hanging over his shoulders, said he seemed to het
like the very impersonation of an old Apostle. Some aged people in my
own congregation of New London, to which, when vacant, he, for many
years, was accustomed, in company with Dr. Bead of Wilmington, to admin-
ister the Communion, have spoken to me of the grave dignity of his appear-
ance, and of his great solemnity in the pulpit. The writer of his Memoir
says, — ** though of a very delicate constitution, by a remarkable temperance
and care, he attained to more than the ordinary age of man."
Dr. Latta waa greatly blessed in his fiftmily. About the year 176ft, he
was married at Deep Bun to Miss Mary McCalla of that congregation, —
an aunt of the present Bev. William Latta McCalla of Philadelphia. She
was a woman, eminent for her piety and amiability, and was truly a help-
meet for the man of GDd to whom she waS united. She continued to reside
• In the Minvtcf of the BoHd of ThiktaM of that InsatiitioD, thon li » rcoord of Hr. LsttA^i
lukving been propofod for the dagne. bat not of itf h*Ting boon aotiudl j oonfarred, In UM.
The omiMlon of the Ifttlor ltBB|»poMd to h*T0 boon tMidontel^ aa it waa MtaaUj eonfemd ij
«mM OoUcge about that tfano, and bif asme ii not foond on the eatalogoa of anj dikir CiSkfa.
JAMES LATTA.
on the fiimily farm at Ohestnut Level until her death, whieh ooonrred FeV
ruary 22, 1810, in the sixty-sixth year of her age.
They were the parents of ton children, of whom eight snrvired them. Of
these, four were sons, who all entered the ministry.
His eldest son, FrancU Aliion^ was ordained on the 28d of Noyembert
1796 ; was first settled at Wilmington, De., then at Lancaster, Pa., and
afterwards at Chestnut Level, — his father's former charge. Daring a largo
part of his ministry, he abo employed himself as a teacher, and in the lat-
ter part of his life, in that way alone. In this department, he was justly
distinguished, and indeed there were few, if any, in his day, who excelled
him as a classical scholar. He was a man of fine mind, and well cultivated,
a poet, and an eloquent pulpit orator. In his disposition he was social and
amiable. He was never married. He died April 21, 1884, in his sixty-
seventh year, having served in the ministry nearly as long as his &ther.
His second son, William^ was graduated at the University of Pennsyl-
vania in 1794, was settled as a pastor over the united Congregations of
Qreat Valley and Charlestown, in Chester County, Pa., and contmued to
have the charge of those Churches until his death, which occurred on the
19th of February, 1847, beiog then nearly eighty years of age, and in
about the fiftieth year of his pastorate. He was idso a fine scholar, was
skilful in the use of his pen, and was occasionally occupied in teaching.
He married Miss Mary Loyd of the Great Valley, who died about the same
time with himself. By her he had four children,— ^ne of whom is now the
pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Waynesburg, in Chester County.
The (General Assembly, in 1847, paid a tribute to his memory, by speaking
of him as '* one of the venerable fathers of the Presbyterian Church." He
was created a Doctor of Divinity by the La Fayette College, a few years
before his death.
The third son of Dr. Latta was John Etoing, He received ordination
on the 18th of August, 1800, and was the pastor, during the whole of his
mmisterial life, or over twenty-four years, of the united Churches of New-
castle and Christiana, in the State of Delaware. For a number of years,
he had charge of an Academy at Newcastle, and several distinguished men
were educated by him. An obituary, written by Dr. Oilbert, then a pastor
at Wilmington, De., speaks of him as " intelligent, exemplary, and con-
scientious ; attentive to the afflicted and the anxious, a man of enlarged
views and liberal feelings, and a £uthful, clear and instructive expounder
of the word of God." He served the General Assembly, for several years,
as their Permanent Clerk, and was honoured with other important of&ces in
the Church. Ho was married to Catharine Van Voorhies of Philadelphia,
and left behind him two sons and five daughters, who all, with their mother,
still survive. He died on the 26th day of September, 1824, in his fifty-
second year.
The following are his publications : — A Serious and affectionate Address
to the Citiiens of the United States, by a Society lately established fbr the
suppression of vice and immorality. A Sermon preached on a day recom-
mended by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United
States, to be set apart for Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer, 1808. Christ's
ministers, watchmen for souls : A Sermon delivered before the General
Association- of Connecticut, 1809. A Sermon delivered on a, day recom-
mended bf the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United
206 FBISBTTBRIAK.
States to be set apart for solemn Thasl^giviDg and Prayer, 1809. A Ser*
mon preaehed on a day reeommended bj the President of the United States
to be observed as a day of Humiliation and Prayer. 1812. A Sermon
preaobed on a day recommended by the President of the United States to
be observed as a day of Humiliation and Prayer, 1818. A Sermon preaehed
at a meetmg of a Committee of the Presbytexy of Newcastle, and also at
the opening of the Presbytery, 1814. A Sermon preached on a day recom-
mended by the President of the United States to be observed as a day of
Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer, 1815. A Sermon preached at Newcastle,
on a day recommended by the President of the United States to be observed
as a day of Public Thanksgiving and Praise to God for the RestoraUon of
Peace, 1816. An affectionate and earnest Address of a minister to the
people under his care, on the important subject of Practical Beligion : with
short and easy Catechisms for children.
The youngest son of Dr. Latta, bearing his own name, Jamu^ was set-
tled, at the time of his ordination, April 8, 1811, over the Congregation
of Upper Ootoroxa, in Chester County, Pa., where he continues to this day.
He is now the oldest member of the Newcastle Presbytery. His congro-
gation is large and flourishing, and has enjoyed several precious revivals
of religion. He has had six children, of whom two sons and two daugh-
ters are now living. Any further nouce, in this case, would be unseemly,
as he of whom I write still lives,
The names of Dr. Latta's daughters were Mary^ Margaret^ Elixaheth^
and Sarah. The first three were unmarried, and have all been removed by
death within the last twelve years. They were intelligent, valuable women,
sincerely attached to the Presbyterian Church, of which they were pious and
useful members. The youngest, Sarahs is now living, and is the wife of
Bev. Thomas Love, of Delaware State.
For a sketch of the character of Dr. Latta, in his different relations, I
depend mainly upon the *' Memoir " supposed to have been written by Dr.
Martin, already referred to, and the reminiscences of Mr. Scott, the vener-
able elder of Chestnut Level, whose name I have before mentioned.
** As a TeacAsr," says the Memoir, "Dr. Latta was remarkably well
qualified. Without severity, he had the fiumlty of governing well. He
possessed the happy talent of making his pupils both fear and love him.
They witnessed his fidelity, they saw his concern for their interests, and
they reverenced him as a fitther. As a scholar, too, he had few equals : his
erudition was general and profound. Such were his known abilities, and
such his reputation as an instructor, that when any'of his pupils were sent
to the University over which the late Dr. Ewing presided, who hss been so
deservedly famed as a scholar, they were always received without ezammsp
tion. It was sufficient to know they had reoeived their education with Dr.
Latta."
** As a man," the writer of the Memoir observes, '* Dr. Latta was truly
amiable. * An Israelite indeed ' he was, ' in whom there was no guile.' Pos-
sessing a very affectionate heart, he was a steady, sinoere and bithfiil
friend. A fund of good sense and a natural cheerfulness which he possessed,
rendered him both a profitable and an agreeable companion. His convert
sation was instructive and entertainuig. It was indeed almost impossible to
be long in his oompany without being both pleased and improved. Both
old and young were fond of his soeieiy. When paying a visit to any of his
JAMES LATTA. £07
people, it was pleadng to see the youth gather aroond him to enjoy his eon-
yenatioB. Though by his deportment he always inspired % reverenoe for
his charaoter, yet ho was easy of aooess, and never fluled to attraot the
attention, and add to the entertainment, of those with whom ho oonversed."
Mr. Soott's testimony to this point is of the same character.
*'As a Christian and mtnti^er," the memoir testifies, ''he ?ras exem*
plary to a remarkable degree. He was an ornament to religion, and his
uniform deportment was such as to recommend it to all who knew him.
When cheerful, there was nothing of lerity about him ; when grave, there
was no austerity. His conduct was always manly and dignified, and calcu-
lated to inspire both reverence and love. The Scriptures were the rule of
hb life, and the glory of GK>d the end for which he Uved. He was conscien-
tious in the discharge of every duty. And with such dignity did he sup-
port the sacred office which he bore, that there was scarce ever an instance
of any person conducting himself profanely or rudely in his presence. The
sight of him made folly blush, and vice cover its head." To this Mr. Scott
adds, that f * he was a man fully furnished, both by nature and education,
for a Gk>spel minister of the &rst order; a most ardent lover of the Lord
Jesus, and faithful in his Master's service to the last."
"As a preacher^" too, we learn from the memoir, *'he was highly emi-
nent. He naturally possessed a strong and penetrating mind, and this was
well furnished by reading and study. His style of writing was accurate,
nervous, and often elegant. Though it was evident he sought not after
refinement in his composition, yet the ornaments and graces of diction
seemed occasionally to force themselves upon him. In the pulpit, he pos-
sessed an uncommon gravity. His countenance and mien bespoke him to
be the man of Ood. His manner was plain and unaffected, but interesting
and impressive. The vein of good sense which ran through all his preach-
ing, and evidently flowed from a heart which deeply felt all that he said,
powerfuUy arrested the attention of his hearers. He was faithful to declare
the whole counsel of Gk>d. While he comforted and encouraged true Ohria-
tians, he held up to sinners a glass in which they might see themselves ;
but, in addressing them, he always spoke as with the compassion of a &ther.
The doctrines of Grace were the burden of his preaching. On them he
delighted to dwell, and his manner of handling them was peculiarly inter-
esting. His whole life and conversation showed how near he lived to his
Master, how supremely he was devoted to his work, and how much he was
concerned for the salvation of souls. He himself lived, and endeavoured
to teadi others to live, for eternity. Though on earth, his conversation
was in Heaven. Few men indeed have discovered more indifference for
amassing the wealth of this world, or more diligence in laying up treasures
for another. Being set as a watchman on the walls of Zion, he devoted
himself assiduously to his trust. He was willing to spend, and was spent,
in his Master's service. He was instant in season and out of season. For
upwards of forty years he laboured faithfdlly in the vineyard of the Lord."
I close this long letter, but for so eminent and worthy a man, compara-
tively brief sketch of his life, labours, and character, with a copy of his
epitaph, written by the Bev. William Arthur* of Pequea.
• WiLLiAw Ahtkus wm boTB Ib P«6bl«i, Boottiiid, la April, 1769, rtotlTid a «
Mtion at Bdinbuif h, and mm onblnad to tlM work of the mlniftnr at HULtj, In 17S8, Im
«aflM to thb eountey; and haTing pwaihod» ftr mim tlmo, both at now Yoric and Albaaj, ho
208 pbbsbttbbiah:
** In memorj of
THE RSY. DR. JAICES LATTA,
Who died 29tli Janavy, 1801/ in the 68th Tear of his *ge.
By his. death, .■odetjr has lost an inralnaole member; .
Beligion one of its brightest ornaments, and most ami^le examples*
His genins was masterly, and his literature extensiye.
As a classical scholar, he was excelled by few.
His Judgment was strong and penetrating;
His taste correct, his style nervous and el^ant.
In the pulpit he was a model.
In the Judicatures of the Church, distinguished by his accuracy and predsion
After a lilb deyoted to his Master's senrice.
He rested from his labours, lamented most by those who knew his worth.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth;
Tea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours,
And their works do follow them."
With xespeoi and affection,
Tour brodier in Jeans,
BOBEBT P. DU BOIS.
ALEXANDER McWHORTER, D. D *
1758—1807.
Albzaivbxb HoWho&txb was of Sootch extraction, — his anoeston, on
both sides, having emigrated from Scotland to the North of Ireland. Both
of his maternal grandparents lost their lives in the great Irish massacre of
1641, being hanged on a tree before their own door. None of the &mily
snrvived tUs horrid scene, except his mother, who, being an infiuit at the
time, waa saved by being concealed by her nnrse. His immediate parents,
Hugh and Jane MoWhorter, lived in the County of Armagh, where his
father waa, for many years, a Unen merchant. Their eldest child, whose
name was AlexaTtdeTf waa distinguished for his talents and piety, and spent
two years at the University of Edinburgh, with an intention to devote him«
self to the Oospel ministry. At his solicitation the fiimily removed to
America, about the year 1780, and settled in the County of Newcastle,
De., where his father was an extensive farmer, and an elder of the church
of which the Sev. John Bodgers (afterwards Dr. Bodgers of New Tork),
became pastor. Alexander died before he had completed his studies ; and
the subject of this sketch, being bom about a month after, bore his
brother's name.
The second Alexander^ the youngest of eleven . children, was bom July
15, (0. S.) 1784. Hi9 parents beii^ eminently pious persons, were espe-
cially solicitous for his moral and religious welfiure, and lost no opportunity
of impressing early upon his mind die great troths and duties of Chris-
tisnity« In February, 1748,.when he was in his fourteenth year, his &ther
wmi to Pflonqrivsida, sad oa ths (th of JaavsiT. 1796. was faiftallsd paitorof the Ohvnh In
PMiioa, M snooMor to the Boy. Br. Bohort SmiUi. Hbi nUtion with thif opnpigstion wu
dbsolTod. Hsy 1, 1818. Alter this, ho praodhed a fow montht hi iMCOftor, siid ocMdcnioUy
■BvpUod hit formor dhaigo.. In 1819| h» ma^trod to Oinoliivftti i ond whilo thoro, was attadud
wilbimafllMtionof thooyo. l^whlohhoMrtlallykit hisdght. In 18SS, bo nnoTod ftom
Obiflfamatl to Zanof^iuo, whoro ho diod or homomiaao of tho lona in Pohroaiy, 1SS7. Ho
was ditthisidihod tn his ooo^ttoSi sopsoSad Siuuiiw of pnpoio, and ftr tho broti^, point, and
ALEXANDER MoWHOBTER. 209
died, leavmg fonr ohildren ; and, as three of them weto already settled in
North Carolina, their mother, in the following antmnn, removed into that
Provinoe, aceompanied by Alexander, who left his paternal estate in Dela-
ware, under the oarc of a gaardian. Here he beoame most deeply impressed
with a sense of his sinfulness, under a sermon preaohed by the Bev. John
Brown, (I suppose of Timber lUdge, Va.,) and, for nearly three years, he
was well nigh orerwhelmed with anxiety and distress. After remaining in
Carolina, probably between two and three years, he oame to tho North to
reoeive his eduoation under the direction of his guardian. Having studied
for a short time at a sohool in the village of Newark, Be., he became a
member of Mr. Finley's famous school at West Nottingham, Pa.,* and it
was there that he first found relief from the spiritaal burden that had so
long oppressed him, and made a public profession of his faith by becoming
a member of Mr. Finley's church.
He remained at 'this school for two years. In May, 1756, being in his
twenty-second year, he joined the Junior class in the College of New Jersey,
then at Newark, though removed the next year to Princeton. He graduated
in the autumn of 1757, — a few days after the lamented death of President
Burr.
Just as he was about returning to Carolina to visit his mother, and to
seek her counsel in regard to his future course of life, he was met by the
afflictive intelligence of her death ; in consequence of which, he changed his
purpose, and immediately commenced the study of Theology under the
direction of the Bev. William Tennent of Freehold. He was licensed
to preach by the Presbytery of New Brunswick in August, 1758. In
October following, he was married to Mary, daughter of Bobert Cummmg
of Freehold, High Sheriff of the County of Monmouth, and a relative of
his instructor, Mr. Tennent. They had five children, two of whom entered
the profession of Law.
The Congregation at Newark, N. J., had been in a distracted state from
the time of Mr. Burr's dismission ; and, though they had employed several
candidates, they had found it impossible to unite upon any one of them. It
was in this unhappy state of things that Mr. McWhorter went among th(»m
to preach in June, 1759 ; and they immediately and unitedly resolved to
secure his permanent services. He had been previously designated by the.
Synod of New York and Philadelphia to a mission among Us friends in
North Carolina ; and, with that view, he was ordained by his Presbytery at
Cranberry, on the 4th of July. But, at that very meeting of Presby-
tery, Commisnoners from Newark appeared, and by their solicitations,
seconded by the influence of Mr. Tennent, obtained him for a supply. The
result was that he, soon after, received a unanimous call to become their
pastor, and was installed as such about the dose of summer, — ^being then
twenty-five years of age.
In 1764, the Synod renewed his appointment to the mission into North
Carolina ; but though this gave him an opportunity of visiting his friends,,
after a separation from them of twelve years, it came very near costing him
his life. While in Carolina he was attacked with a bilious fever incident
to the dimate, which left him with an affection of the lungs which, for two
years, seemed likely to have a fatal issue. But, in the midst of this scene
of affliction, in the winter of 1764-66, he was permitted to hear of an
extensive revival of religion in his own congregation. In the following
Vol. hi. 27
210 FBESBYTERIAK.
guminer, he reoexved % call from the united Congregations of Center and
Poplar Tent in North Carolina; which, though it afforded' him an oppor-
tunity to settle among his father's children and descendants, he thought it
his duty to decline. In 1766, he was induced to try the effect upon his
health of a northern journey; and that journey, extended as &r as Boston,
proved unexpectedly the means of his entire restoration. And from that
period, his health, with some very slight excepdons, continued yigorous
until old age.
Shortly alitor his return from Boston, overtures were made to him from
the congregation in that town, which had some time before become vacant
by the death of his brother-in-law, the Rev. Alexander Cumming, to
become their pastor ; or rather, as they had scruples about calling a settled
minister, — ^to resign his charge at Newark, with a view to accepting a call
from them ; but he declined die preliminary step, and ihe matter went no
farther.
In 1772, a second revival of religion commenced, which proved even
more extensive than the former, and continued about two years.
Mr. McWhorter partook largely of the saorifices and hardships attendant
on the American Revolution. In 1775, he was appointed by Congress to
visit that district of North Carolina in which he had been before, with a
view to do what he could to bring over the enemies of the Revolution to
ihe American cause ; but the enterprise seems to have been, on the whole,
imsuccessful.
In 1776, he was honoured with the Degree of Doctor of Divinity by the
Corporation of Tale Collie.
In the following winter, when the prospects of the American cause had
become the darkest, and Washington had fled through New Jersey with a
handful of troops, almost ready to perish from starvation, this patriotic
minister hastened to the army encamped on the Pennsylvania shore, opi^o-
site Trenton, to concert, with the Commander-in-chief, measures for the
protection of the State. And he was there on the memorable 26th 6f
December, when the American troops crossed the Delaware, took the Hes-
sians, and thus gave a new direction to the events of the war.
In the summer of 1778, at the solicitation of Oeneral Knox, he con-
sented to become Chaplun of his brigade, which then lay with the main
army at White Plains. During the few months that he was thus employed,
Washington was often his hearer, and he was often Washington's guest.
His resignation of the Chaplaincy was hastened by the &ct that, in Jidy of
that year, Mrs. McWhorter was struck with lightning, and for the time
was left without any symptom of life; and thoi^h she recovered her seittes
afker a few hours, the sh(Mk to her constitution was such that her husband
felt it necessary that he should return home earlier than he would otherwise
hsve done, to attend to the concerns of his family.
In November of this year, he received a call from the Congregational
Church in Charleston, S. C, to become their pastor. This till he was
somewhat inclined to accept, and kept it under consideration till February
following; but the state of his family, and the eriticid situation of Charles-
ton, then threatened with invasion, finally determmed him to decline it.
' The next summer, (1779,) he received a call from the Congregation of
Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, N. C, to become their pastor, and at the
same time an invitation from the Trustees of Charlotte Academy, to
ALEZAl!n)ER McWHORTER. £11
beoome the President of that inBtitntion. The promising oharact&r of. this
in&nt seminary; the faot that it was situated among his relations ; and in a
part of the oonntry supposed to be oomparatirelj seonre from hostile inva-
sion ; in oonneotion with the fact that his saloxj, owing to the deranged
state of his congregation, had become insufficient for the support of his
&milj, — ^led him to think that it was his duty to accept the call ; and his
congregation did not feel at liberty, under existing circumstances, to oppose
his removal. His pastoral relation to the church was accordingly dissolved,
and in October following, he took his leave of Newark, amidst the warmest
testimonies of affection and regret from his afflicted people.
This removal, however, proved any thing ebethan a fortunate affair.
Scarcely was he settled in his new habitation, when tho army of Comwallis,
scouring the country, entered Charlotte, and compelled him to fly with his
fiimily for safety. On his return, he found that his library, and furniture,
and idmost every thing that he possessed, had been sacrificed. Apprehend-
ing further attacks from the enemy, he determined again to set his face
towards the North ; and, accordingly, in the autumn of 1780, ho came with
his family to Abington, Pa., where he engaged to preach for the winter. The
people of Newark, hearing of his misfortunes, invited him to make them a
visit, — which he did in February, 1781. Soon after, they sent him a regu-
lar call, in consequence of which he returned in April with his family; and,
though he was never reinstalled, he acted as pastor of the Congregation till
his death.
In the summer of 1783, the Trustees of Washington Academy, in Somer-
set County, Md., offered him the Presidency of that institution, with a
Uberal salary. But, though the inscitution was specially designed for the
education of young men for the ministry, and was in a part of the country
where there was a wide field for ministerial labour, yet such was his attach-
ment to his Congregation, especially in view of the then recent proofis of
their affectionate regard, that he scarcely felt at liberty even to consider the
application.
In 1784, another revival of religion occurred in connection with his
labours, which continued also two years. Into this revival he entered with
extraordinary interest, — preaching not only on the Sabbath, but several
times in the week, and spending a part of almost every day in catechising,
visiting from house to house, and holding private religious meetings.
Br. McWhorter was one of those eminent men who, in 1788, had the
principal agency in settling the Confession of Faith, and forming the Con-
stitution of the Presbyterian Church of the United States ; and in trans-
ferring the authority of the highest judicatory from the Synod to the Gen-
eral Assembly, which met first in May, 1789. When a Board of Trustees
for the Gkneral Assembly was incorporated by the Legislature of Pennsyl-
vania, ten years afterwards, he was named in the Charter as one of the
Board ; and he continued to hold this trust until 1808, when the infirmi-
ties of age induced him to resign it.
In 1796, another revival of religion occurred in his congregation, by
means of which thirty or forty were added to the church. In 1802| there
was yet another, and the last, revival under his ministry, which continued
two years; during which a hundred and forty were admitted to oommunion
beside those that were received from other churches.
212 PBESBTTEBIAH.
After the bnniiDg of tiie Pnnoeton College edifioe in 1802, Dr. MoWhor-
ter was requested by the Trustees of that institation to yisit New England, to
soUcit contributions in aid of erecting a new building. Such was the interest
that ho felt in the welfare of the College, that, notwithstanding the infirmi-
ties of age were upon him, he cheerfully undertook the mission, and was
able, in due time, to make a report, creditable alike to his own sagacity and
perseverance, and to the liberality of the people of New England.
Tho following beautiful incident in Dr. McWhorter's life was related, if
I mistake not, by the Doctor himself, to the Rev. Dr. Miller of Princeton,
who thus communicated it to the Rev. Dr. Murray of Elisabethtown : —
*' After an absence of many years from his native place, he resolved, a
little before his death, to visit once more the spot on which he was bom.
In his little carriage, driven by a coloured utervant, he went, by slow stages,
from his home in Newark to his early home in Delaware. Driving up to
the door of the house in which he was bom, — ^now old and dilapidated, he
asked a woman who came to the door, who lived there. Being answered,
he again asked, who lived there before them. Having received a reply, he
again asked, * who lived there before them?* Tho woman could not tell.
He then asked if she had ever heard of a family who once lived there by
the name of McWhorter? ' What name, did you say V — said the woman.
* McWhorter,' replied the Doctor. * I never heard of such a family,' said
she. He then drove to a neighbouring house, where his uncle, a brother
of his father, used to live. He asked the same questions, and received the
same answers. Retuming to the house of his birth, he left his carriage,
and asked for a tumbler, saying, — ' there is one place here that knows me,
and that t know.' And, leaning on the arm of his servant, he hobbled, to
a spring at the bottom of the garden, from which he used to drink, when a
boy. He stood over it for some time, and drank of its waters, until he
oould drink no more. He then hobbled back to his carriage, repeating
these words, as he entered it, — the t-ears streaming from his eyes, — * The
places that now know us, will know us no more forever.' "
On the evening of the 26th of December, 1806, he received an injury
from a fall, from which he never recovered. In February following, when
the dissolution of his aged wife was manifestly approa(^g, and he was
himself rapidly sinking under manifold infirmities, one of his sons died so
suddenly that his parents, though in the neighbourhood, were not apprised
of his illness till they heard of his death. But he behaved with the most
serene and dignified composure under the trial. On the 2d of April follow-
ing, the beloved companion of his life finished her course with all the
tokens of childlike piety; and this afiSiction he endured, like that which
had preceded it, in the spirit of unqualified submission and humble trust.
Nothing now remained but to make the immediate arrangements for his
own departure. He sent an affectionate farewell to his brethren of the
Presbytery ; distributed his volumes of Sermons among his children, grand-
children, and other relatives, and gave directions in respect to his funeral.
He lingered, in the utmost patience, and sometimes in the triumphs of a
rapturous fidth, till the 20th of July, 1807, when he gently passed away to
the better world. His Funeral Sermon was preached .by his colleague, the
Bev. Edward D. Oriffin, and was published.
Dr. McWhorter published a Sermon on the blessedness of the liberali
1*706; and two octavo volumes of Sermons,
ALBXANOEB MoWHORTEB. 213
FBOK THE HON. JACOB SUBNET,
JUPGl or THB 8UFRK1IX OOVBT Of OHIO.
GiHOixvATii September 29, 1848
Bey. and dear Sir: Ton ask me for my recollections of the Rev. Dr. McWhorter.
One of my yerj earliest recollections of any body or any thing, is the effect that
was produced on my mind, by seeing that yenerable man in the pulpit, in the
clerical robes, and lai^ full wig, worn by the clergy of that day. I knew him
well, both in the pulpit and out of it, as I was growing up, and I am glad, even
at this late period of my life, to testify my yeneration for his character.
Dr. McWhorter was graye and dignified in his deportment — though far fi*om
being stern or repulsiye, he seldom indulged in any yery decided expressions of
merriment. His temper was naturally quick, but was under such habitual con-
trol that the tendency to irritability was not often discovered, even by those iprho
were most firequently in his company. His talents were much above mediocrity.
He was a good classical scholar, and as a preacher, was among the most popular
of his day.
The trait of character for which he was perhaps most distinguished was pru-
dence. In the discharge of his duty to his congregation, individually as well as
collectively, he showed himself at once very wise and very successfU. Such was
the confidence they reposed in him, that when they found themselves involved in
any difficulty, they were almost sure to apply to him for advice, and the course
he recommended, scarcely ever &iled to secure the desired result.
During his unusually long ministry at Newark, controversies among the mem-
bers of his church occasionally arose, which sometimes became widely extended,
and were carried on with no inconsiderable warmth. On such occasions, each
party resorted to the Doctor for counsel; and although, in some cases, it appeared
impossible to interpose, without giving o£Guice to one side or the other, yet his
great practical wisdom always enabled him to get through the difficulty without
losing the confidence of either party.
I will mention two occurrences wluch, though not important in themselves,
may throw some light on the Doctor's general character.
A young respectable girl of his congregation fell violently in love with one of
her associates, who, unfortunately, did not reciprocate her affection, and who
therefore, very naturally, was not disposed to marry her. In the bitterness of
her disappointment, she repaired to her minister for advice and assistance.
After hearing her story, he made a visit to the young man, to ascertain the facts
of the case, and was convinced that the young lady had no just claims on him, nor
any grounds of complaint against him. This result he communicated to her;
and at the same time advised her to banish the subject from her mind and foi^get
him. This she declared was impossible. On a subsequent visit, she intimated
to the Doctor a determination to put an end to her existence. He very promptly
replied, " Why Bhoda, I admire your courage — ^it is the best thing you can do ;
and I advise you not to put it off a single hour, lest you should change your
mind. Gome, my chaise is at the door; I will take you to the river immediately?
and see that the work is thoroughly done." She thanked the Doctor for his
proffered kindness, but on the whole, thought she had better not just then avail
herself of it.
The other circumstance to which I referred, took place very soon after Dr.
Griffin became associated with him as colleague pastor. There was a very pious
man belonging to the congregation, with whom 1 was personally acquainted^
who had not formally joined the church, on account of some doubts which agitated
his mind, but which I forbear to state, lest I might do it incorrectly. Whfle
this obstacle existed, his in&nt child was taken violently ill, during the tempo-
rary absence of Dr. McWhorter. The distressed fitther, who inclined to the
214 FRESBTTBRUK.
opinion that baptism was essential to salyation, sent for Dr. Qriffin, and requested
him to baptize the cluld, which he declined to do, on the gronnd that neither of
the parents was a member of the church; and he persisted in this refusal, r^g^d-
less of the entreaties and tears of the fkther, till the infant expired, unbaptised.
Dr. Griffin was himself deeply agitated and distressed,— fearing that he might
haye done wrong. In that state of mind, he called on his yenerable colleague
immediatelj after his return, and having stated the case, asked him what he would
have done in the same circumstances. '' Why,*' said Dr. McWhorter, <'it is
yery likely that I should haye baptised the child firat, and then haye examined the
subject to satisfy my mind whether I had done right or not.'' I mention this as
an illustration of the strength and tenderness of his sympathies.
Very respectfhlly your friend,
J. BITBNBT.
FROK THE BEY. AABOB COVDIGT.
HAHoysR, ir. J., April 16, 1860.
Bey. and dear Sir: My acquaintance with Dr. McWhorter began, when I was
about sixteen years of age. I was at that time placed in the Grammar School,
as it was then called, which he had commenced with the yiew of aiding in the
support of his &mi]y, during the hard times of the ReyoluUonary war, then in
progress. My respect and affection were at once awakened towards him, and
oontinued e^er afterwards. There was a noble manliness in his countenance,
person, and moyements, which could not fail to impress me fovourably.
As a teacher, I was, from the first, greatly delighted with him. He was
remarkably a man of order and method. He was so communicative, — imparted
instruction with so much ease, and was, in aU respects, so paternal, that I con-
sidered it a high privilege to be under his mstruction. Ho really impressed me
with the idea that he knew almost every thing. To meet the difficulty of pro-
curing books suitable for such a school, he wrote for his pupils, with his own
hand, treatises on several of the sciences.
As a preacher. Dr. McWhorter was plain, instructive, practical. His dis-
courses in the pulpit were generally written out. His la^uage was correct,
impressive, and often pathetic. His prayers in public were scarcely, if at all,
less correct in language, than his sermons. There was much in his manner that
was expressive of sincerity and fbrvour. His devotional exercises were uni-
formly very appropriate, and always characterized by becoming brevity. I
never knew him fkil to recognise very particularly Christ Jesus as the only ground
and medium of acceptance with a holy God for sinfhl man. Though his style
of delivery was dignified and agreeable, he did not abound in action. But I
well remember one gesture, — a certain motion of his right arm, which, in con-
nection with his expressive countenance, often gave great effect to what he
uttered.
Dr. McWhorter was distinguished as a constant and punctual attendant on
'the judicatories of the Ohuroh. It was a rare thing for him to be absent ftom
any meeting of Presbytery or Synod; and when he accepted an appointment as
dd^gate to the General Assembly, I never knew him fiul of fulfilling it. It seemed
to me that whenever he entered a meeting of a church judicatory, it was his
object, so far as he could do it without trespassing on the rights of others, to
secure a seat where he could best 9U as well as hear, both the Moderator and the
members who might have occasion to speak; and when seated, his attention
seemed never, for a moment, to be withdrawn from the business in hand. He
was always ready to express his own views of any subject that might arise, at
the proper time; but could never be charged with occupying the time of the judi-
catory unnecessarily, by either too frequent or too long speeches. No man, it
ALEXANDER MoWHORTEB.
215
appetred to me, knew better than he, what to say, when to say it> and when to
stop. He was eminently respected by the Presbyterian Church at large, and
more than onoe had the most important public senrioes entrusted to him.
I am, my dear Sir,
Very truly yours,
AARON CONDIGT.
JOHN STRAIN *
1759—1774.
It is somewhat remarkable that though few ministers in the Presbyterian
Ghuroh enjoyed a higher reputation than John Strain, during his life-
time, yet almost every memorial of him has perished ; and, after haying
diligently explored every probable souroe of information oonoeming him, I
have found i% impossible to construct a continuous narrative of his life.
Even the time and plaoe of his birth are not known. The first that we hear
of him is, his being graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1757. It
has been supposed that he studied Theology under the Bev. Dr. Finley ;
but the fiiot, if it be one, is not, I believe, satisfactorily ascertained. He
was lioenfied to preach by the Presbytery of Newcastle on the 29th of May,
1769; and was ordained sine titulo, by the same Presbytery, in 1761. He
settled as pastor of the Ohurohes of Ohanceford and Slate Ridge, York
County, Pa. Such was his popularity as a preacher, that, after tibe death
of Qilbert Tennent, he was called to succeed him as pastor of the Second
Presbyterian Ohurch in Philadelphia ; but so strong was the attachment exist-
ing between him and his congregations, that he was unwilling to leave
them, and therefore declined the call. He died on the 21st of May, 1774.
The following estimate of Mr. Strain's character as a preacher was fur-
nished me by the Rev. Archibald Alexander, D. D.: —
'' The Rxv. John Strain was a preacher of uncommon power and success.
His manner, as I have heard from some who attended on his ministry, was
awfblly solemn. Many were awakened under his pungent and searching dis-
courses; and his method of dealing with those who came to him under concern
of mind, was thought to be very singular at that time. He would authorita-
tively exhort them to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and would then turn
away from them. Sometimes, after preaching to the people, and offering Christ
to them earnestly, when, after the benediction, they were going out of the house,
he would rise up, and cry out in the most heart-piercing tone of inquiry —
' What ! are you going away without receiving Christ into your hearts ?*
'* His plan of preaching was to represent to the sinner his ruined condition,
and then urge him by every solemn and tender entreaty immediately to dose in
with the offers of mercy through the Lord Jesus Christ. I have often heard
Hugh Weir, who was a subject of grace under the ministry of Mr. Strain, repeat
whole sermons which he had heard him preach. His opinion was that he had
never heard any preacher equal to him; and especially in the earnest and tender
beseeching of sinners to be reconciled to Qod.
• M8S. from Bar. ArohllNad Atoxaader, D. D., and Bar. Riohaid Ifaliftar.
216 FBESBTTERUOf.
** Mr. Strain was heu^igfatedy and of a yerj grate and solemn aspect. An
anecdote has been related of him and the Bev. Qeoige DoiBeld, D. D., for the
truth of which I cannot Yonoh; but I will reUte it as I hare heard it, since it is
characteristic of the men: — At the Synod (the old Synod) of Philadelphia)
Mr. Strain acted as Clerk. One day, when he dined with Dr. Duffield, who
was fond of a jest, the latter slipped into .the coat pocket of the former, in which
he had yarions papers of the Synod, a pack of cards, loosely rolled up in a
paper. When they returned to the churdi, and the session was opened. Strain
arose to read some paper or report, and thrusting his hand into his pocket, drew
out the pack of cards, which, being loose, were scattered on the table and floor.
Dnffleld of course enjoyed the Ain. But Strain, no how embarrassed, but with
awftil solemnity, looking at Dr. D., said, — ' When I see that man m the pulpit,
I am so delighted and edified with his preaching, that I feel as if he ought neyer
to come out; but when I see his levity out of the pulpit, I am disposed to think
that he should never enter it again.' "
The late Dr. Samuel Martin, who ministered to the people, who, in youth,
had heard Mr. Strain, writes thus of him: —
" He was of fervent piety, great zeal, and ardour: ho could reach the pas^
sions by bursts of feeling and piety,— unexpectedly shooting aside of his sub-
ject, and taking his hearers unaware with a frightftd or a rapturous exclama-
tion. His subject could enchain him no longer than it could have effect: when
it fitiled, he tried a new expedient. He was loved by many; but some, dis-
pleased with his fervour, left his ministry. All concurred in the belief that he
was a man of groat intimacy with his Qod and Saviour."
Dr. Hodge in his History of the Presbyterian Ohuroh says : —
." John Strain is itill remembered ai one of the most eloquent and impressive min-
isfeers our Church has ever produced."
JOHN EWING, D. D.
1769—1802.
FBOK THE BEY. SAKXHSL MUiLEB, D. D.
Pkxhoitoh, February 18, 1848.
Bey. and dear Brother : It gives me pleasure to contribute the least effort
toward the erection of an humble monument to the memory of the Bey. Dr.
John Ewino, late Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, whom I
well knew, and whom I have much reason, on a variety of accounts, to
remember with veneration and love.
He was a native of Maryland. He was born in the township of Notting-
ham, in Cecil dounty, in what is now that State, on the 22d day of June,
1782. Of his anoestors littlo is known. They emigrated from Ireland at
an early period of the settlement of our country, and fixed themselves on
the banks of the Susquehanna, near to the spot on which he was bom. His
fcther was in circumstances which enabled him to give his five sons as good
an education as the state of the Colonies with respect to schools could then
well furnish. After the first elementary school to which he was sent, he
was placed at the Academy of the Bev. Dr. Francis Alison, an eminent
Presbyterian clergyman, who had emigrated from Ireland^ and who was
jomr EwiKG. 217
greatly distingaished for his claflsieal liteiature, and who became hutrn-
mental in forming a number of excellent scholars in the Middle Oolonies.
His literary institution at New London, in Pennsyl?ania, was long cele-
brated. There young Ewing passed the usual course of study ; and, after
completing it, remiuned three years longer in the Academy as a Tutor ;
directing special attention to the Latin and Qreek languages, and mathe-
matics, in all which he was eminent through life.
In 1754 he became a member of the College of New Jersey, then located
at Newark, under the Presidency of the Rev. Mr. Burr ; and, as he was so
&r advanced and matured in the prmcipal studies of the OoUege, he was
graduated at the annual Oommencement of the same year. At the same
time he was the principal instructor in the grammar school, which was con-
nected with the College, and spent a portion of almost eyery day in
instructing others in the languages and mathematics. In 1766, he was
chosen Tutor in the College in which he had been graduated, and continued in
that station two full years, enlarging and maturing his knowledge. During
this course of service as a Tutor, he removed with the College from Newark
to Princeton, which removal took place in 1767. In pursuing the study of
Theology, he returned to his former teacher and friend, the Rev. Dr.
Alison, and was subsequently licensed to preach the Gk>spel by the Presby-
tery of Newcastle. At the age of twenty-six, before he undertook the
pastoral charge, he was selected to instruct the philosophical classes in the
College of Philadelphia, during the absence of the Provost, the Rev. Dr.
Smith. While thus employed, he received, in the year 1759, a unanimous
call from the First Presbyterian Church in the city of Philadelphia, to
become their Pastor. This call he accepted, and was ordained to the work
of the ministry, and installed as their Pastor, in the course of that year.
About this time, Mr. Ewing formed a matrimonial connection with Miss
Hannah Sergeant, the eldest daughter of Jonathan Sergeant, Esq., of
Princeton, — a lady of great beauty and domestic excellence, with whom he
lived in happy union more than forty years, and who survived him a number
of years.
In 1778, Mr. Ewing was commissioned, with the consent of his congre-
gation, in company with Dr. Hugh Williamson, late a member of Congress
from North Carolina, to solicit contributions in Oreat Britain for the sup-
port of the Academy of Newark, in Delaware. His high reputation in his
own country, together with the ample supply of letters which he took with
him, gave him access to a number of men eminent in Church and State, in
Oreat Britain, and prepared the way for the formation of a number of
acquaintances and friendships, which were highly interesting to him, and,
in some cases, valuable, as long as he lived. He seems to have made a
deep impression, specially in North Britain, in flavour of American character.
The cities of Glasgow, Montrose, Dundee, and Perth, presented to him their
freedom ; and from the University of Edinburgh, of which Dr. Robertson
was then the Principal, he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Dr.
Robertson, in presenting this diploma, declared that he had never before
conferred a degree with greater pleasure. At this time the contest between
the Colonies and the mother country was beginning to be serious. It was,
of course, the theme of much conversation while he was in England. He
had frequent interviews with the Prime Minister, Lord North, and with all
the intelligence of one recently from the Colonies, and with all the firmness
ToL. in. 28
218 PHlBSBYTEBIAir.
and leal of an ardent W}iig> he warned bis LordsUp against the prosecution
of the contest, and confidently predicted its issue ; but without effect.
But the narratiye which Dr. Bwing, after hie return to America, was
wont to give with most graphic interest, was that of hb first interview with
the celebrated Dr. Johnson, at the table of Mr. Dilly, the wealthy and hos-
pitable Bookseller of London. Dr. Johnson, it is well known, was yiolent
against the Colonies ; had written a popular pamphlet against their claims ;
and heaped upon them and their advocates the coarsest abuse. Mr. Dilly,
in inviting Dr. Bwing to dinner, apprised him that Dr. Johnson was to bo
of the party, and cautioned him against contradicting or opposing the great
literary despot. During the dinner the contest with America became the
subject of animlited conversation. Dr. Ewing, the only American present,
being appealed to, began, with his usual frankness, to defend the Colonies.
Dr. Johnson, looldng at him with sternness, said, '* What do you know. Sir,
on that subject ?*' Dr. Ewing calmly replied that, having resided in America
all his life, he thought himself qualified to form and to express opinions on
the situation and claims of the country. Dr. Johnson's feelings were roused.
The epithets of rebels and scoundrels were pretty liberally applied to the
population of the Colonies. At length Johnson rudely said, " Sir, what
do you know in America? Ton never read. Ton have no books there.'*
"Pardon me. Sir," replied Dr. Ewing, **we have read the Rambler.**
This civility instantly pacified him ; and, after the rest of the company had
retired, he sat with Dr. Ewing until midnight, in amiable, eloquent, and
highly interesting conversation.
In the summer of 1776, Dr. Ewing returned from Europe. War was soon
commenced between the United States and Qreat Britain. And he adhered
to the cause of his country with all the firmness and seal of an ardent Whig.
In 1779, the Legislature of Pennsylvania revoked the charter of the old
College and Academy of Philadelphia, and gave a new one, creating the
University of Pennsylvania, on a large plan. At the head of this new
institution Dr. Ewing was placed, under the title of Provost In this sta-
tion, united with that of pastor of a church, he continued to the end of life.
Besides presiding over the whole University as its head, with dignity and
commanding influence, he was Professor of Natural Philosophy in the insti-
tution, and every year delivered a course of learned and able Lectures on
that branch of science. But this was not all. Perhaps our country has
never bred a man so deeply as well as extensively versed in every branch
of knowledge commonly taught in our Colleges as was Dr. Ewing. Such
was his &miiiarity with the Hebrew language, that I have been assured by
those most intimately acquainted with his habits, that his Hebrew Bible
was constantly by his side in his study, and that it was that which he used
of choice, for devotional purposes. In Mathematics and Astronomy, in the
Latin, Oreek, and Hebrew languages, in Logic, in Metaphysics and Moral
Philosophy, ho was probably more accomplished than any other man in the
United States. When any other Professor in the University was absent, the
Provost could take his place, at an hour's warning, and conduct the instruc-
tion appropriate to that Professorship with more skill, taste, and advantage
than the incumbent of the chair himself. His skill in mathematical science
was so pre-eminent and acknowledged, that he was more than onoe employed,
with Dr. Bittenhouse, of Philadelphia, in running the boundary lines between
several of the States, in which he acquitted himself in the most abl<i and
JOHN Ewnro. •219
honourable manner. He was one of the Yioe Preridenis of the Amerioan
PhiloBophioal Sooiety, and made a number of eontribntiona to the Yolnmea
of their '* TransaotionB," which do honour to his memory.
Dr. Ewing had a strong oonstitntion, and for a long oonrse of years
enjoyed vigorons health ; being yery seldom kept either out of the pulpit,
or from the Professor's chair by indisposition. In* the early part of the
year 1802, he was attacked with a chronic disease, which gradiuJly under-
mined his health, and finally terminated his important and useful life on the
8th of September of that year, in the seventy- first year of his age.
Since the decease of Dr. Ewing, his " Lectures on Natural Philosophy "
have been published in two volumes, octavo, and another octavo volume,
containing twenty Sermons from his pen. He used to speak of Dr. Dod-
dridge as a theological writer more to his taste than any other he could
name in the English language. Every thing which the public has received
from his pen, is considered as honourably sustaining his reputation, both as
a Divine and a Philosopher.
Few preachers in his day were more popular than Dr. Ewing, especially
with the more intelligent and cultivated classes of hearers. He sacrificed
nothing to display in the pulpit. His merits were all of the solid, instruc-
tive, and dignified character. And as a OoUegiate Instructor, I suspect he
had no superior.
This venerable man had a large family of children, ten or eleven of whom
survived him ; but it is believed they are all now deceased. A number of
respectable grandchildren still sustain the name and the honours of the
family.
I am, Reverend and dear Brother, with the best wishes for the success
of your biogn^hical enterprise,
Very sincerely and respectfully yours,
SAMUEL KILLER.
JOHN JOACHIM ZUBLT, D. D.
1760—1781.
FBOM THE HOK. EDWARD J. HARDEK.
Savavvah, Oa., Jaautry 21, 1866.
My dear Sir : I have not been unmindful of your request for some account
of the venerable Dr. Zubly, who was, for many years, pastor of a Church
in this city ; though I have been somewhat embarrassed by the difficulty of
gathering the requisite material. For nearly all the &ot8 connected with
his history, I am indebted to our common friend, Mr. I. K. Tefft, who has
been in correspondence with Dr. Zubly's descendants on the subject, and
whose extraordinary perseverance and success in gathering materials for his-
tory and biography, entitles him to the good will and gratitude of the whole
country.
John Joaohim Zublt (as appears from memoranda still in possession
of his descendants) was born at St. Gkll, in Switserland, on the 27th of
220 PRSSBTTBBIAK.
AnguBti 1724; was ordained to the Gkapel miiiisftrj, on the 19th of Angnst,
1744 ; and was married to Ann Tobler on the 12th of Nbyember, 1746.
The precise time of his arrival in the then Oolony of Georgia is not
known; bnt it is pretty well ascertained that in 1760 he took charge (as its
first pastor) of what is now known as the Independent Presbyterian Church
of Savannah. In this church he preached in English, — ^in which, the por-
tions of his correspondence that still exist, show that he was a proficient.
To one neighbouring congregation, it seems, he preached in German, and
to another, in French. Of the many traditions that remain of " Parson
Znbly,'* as he was called, there is none which does not accord to him great
learning and ability ; and there is no reason to donbt his entire devotion to
the cause of his Divine Master.
The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the Oollege
of New Jersey, in 1770.
At the commencement of the dispute between the mother country and
her American Oolonies, Dr. Zubly took a decided and active part with the
latter. In the London Magaaine for January, 1776, pp. 86, 86, 87, 88 and
89, may be found a fervid appeal, over his signature, in behalf of the Colo-
nies, addressed to *' the Right Honourable William, Earl of Dartmouth,"
who had, at the date of the letter, (8d September, 1776,) been appointed
Secretary of State for the American department. This paper was pub-
lished at the request of ''an old correspondent," signing himself 0, and
who was no other, as is supposed, than the founder of Georgia, — (General
James Edward Oglethorpe. In the request for publication, the letter is
styled an '* Address to Lord Dartmouth ; " and it is so creditable to the
heart and head of Dr. Zubly that I will take the liberty to append some
extracts from it. The address is worthy of being transcribed here entire,
but its length forbids it. After alluding, in proper terms, to his Lordship's
appointment, and the hope which had been entertained from his '' religious
character," and his ''conscientious regard to justice and equity, as well as
to the civil and religious liberties of this great Continent," the address
proceeds : —
" Unhappily, during your administration, measures have been pursued
very contrary to American hopes, and we easily conceive your Lordship may
think it not less strange that many firiends of religion in America should be
BO uneasy under laws which had your Lordship's concurrence and approba-
tion. It is to the man and the Christian I wish to be permitted to address
myself: your Lordship ranks among the highest subjects, and has a large
share in all public measures ; but anxiety for what may distress, and seal
for the welfare of tiie Empire, can be no crime, even in the meanest ; and
when a house is once in flames, every man is inexcusable, or must at least
be so in his own breast, that does not contribute whatever he may thbk in
his power, to their being extinguished. The efifects of the present measures
are visible, and it requires no sagacity to foresee what may be the conse-
quence, should they be continued. Your Lordship mkj do much towards
restoring and perpetuating the tranquillity of a great empire. Persons of
my station have nothing to offer but hints and wishes ; should these be
beneath your notice, or stand in need of forgiveness, my sincere wish to
contribute any thing towards a just, happy and perpetual connection between
a parent state and an infant country, growing apace to the most astonishing
importance, must be my only apology. Pulchrum est benefaeer€ rQm&Jt-
JOHN JOAOHM ZUBLT. 221
cm^ sed et bene dieere non est dbturdum. * To bind them in all oases wLat-
soever;' my Lord, — the Americans look upon this as the language of des-
potism in its almost perfection. What.oan, say they, an Emperor of
Morocco pretend more of his slaves, than to bind them in all oases whatso-
ever ? Were it meant to make the Americans hewers of wood, and drawers
of water, — were it meant to deprive them of the enjoyment of their reli-
gion, and to establish a hierarchy over them similar to that of the Ohurch
of Rome in Canada, it wonld, say they, be no more than a natoral conse-
quence of binding them, (unseen, unheard, unrepresented,) in all cases what-
soever. My Lord, the Americans are no idiots, and they appear determined
not to be slaves. Oppression will make wise men mad, but oppressors m
the end frequently find that they were not wise men ; there may be resources
even in despair sufficient to render any set of men strong enough not to be
bound in all cases whatsoever.
'*Your Lordship believes a Supreme Buler of the earth, and that the
small and great must stand before Him at last — ^would your Lordship be
willing, at the general meeting of all mankind, to take a place among those
who destroyed or enslaved empires, or risk your future state on the merit
of having, at the expense of British blood and treasure, taken away the pro-
perty, the life and liberty of the largest part of the British empire ? Can
your Lordship think those who fear the Lord will not cry to Him against
their oppressors ? And will not the Father of mankind hear the cries of the
oppressed ? Or would you be willing that their cries and tears should rise
against yon as a forward instrument of their oppression ?
• ••••••••••
'* Proposals publicly made by ministerial writers relative to American
domestics, laid the Southern Provinces under a necessity of arming them-
selves ; a proposal to put it in the power of domestics to cut the throats of
their masters, can only serve to cover the proposers and abettors with ever-
lasting infamy.
"The Americans have been called 'a rope of sand,' but blood and sand
will make a firm cementation ; and enough American blood has been
already shed to cement them together into a thirteen fold cord, not easily to
be broken."
Such was the confidence of the people of Georgia in the intelligence and
patriotism of Dr. Zubly, that he was appointed a delegate to the Continen-
tal Congress, of which he was a member in 1776-76 ; but, like many others
of the Coloniats who favoured the rights of the Colonies agamst the unjust
exactions of the British Crown, — ^when the question of actual separation firam,
and independence of, the mother country came up for action, he was found
opposed to extreme measures, and, suddenly quitting his post at Philadel-
phia, returned to Georgia. Here he took sides against the Colonies, and,
in consequence, became very unpopular, and was finally compelled to leave
Savannah. It appears, however, by his correspondence, that he was in
Savannah during die siege of that place by the American and French armies
in 1779, and that his losses of property, books, &c., during the war wero
oonsiderable. Amidst all lus sufferings, however, Dr. Zubly seems to have
possessed a confiding and contented spirit. He died somewhere in South
Carolina, on the 28d of July, 1781, and his remains were afterwards
brought to Savannah and there interred. As he did not live to see the
222 PBESBYTSBIAK.
ooncloBion of ihe war wUch resulted in tbe independenoe of tbe Ooloniee,
it oannot be known what course the dominant party in Qeorgia wonld have
pursued towards him ; but, when the oooasions for that bitterness of feeUng
which characterised the conflict had passed away, there is e?ery reason to
beliove that his memory was cherished, eyen by those against whom he took
part, as that of one who had acted under strong conyictions of the propriety
of his course.
Dr. Zubly seems to haye been of ardent temperament, devoted to his call-
ing as a preacher of the Gospel, and sealoas for the success of his labours.
That he was a man of great learning and unaffected piety, is every where
admitted ; and that his conduct in opposing the cause of American inde-
pendence was not uncharitably judged by those who knew him best, seems
appa^nt from the fact that two of ^e streets of Savannah, Joachim and
Zuhly, still bear his name, and that one of the hamlets of the town (St.
Oall) yet records the name of his native place in Switzerland.
Dr. Zubly left two daughters, whose descendants are amongst the most
highly respected of the citisens of Georgia.
Dr. Zubly published a small volume entitled, **The real Christian's hope
in death ; or an account of the edifying behaviour of several persons of piety
in their last moments ; with a Preface recommendatory by the Rev. Mr.
Clarke, Bector of St. Phillip's Church, Charlestown," 1756; a Sermon on
the value of the faith without which it is impossible to please Ood, 1772 ;
a Sermon on the death of the Bev. John Osgood of Midway, 1778 ; The
law of Liberty : a Sermon on American affairs at the opening of the Pro-
vincial Congress of Ckorgia, with an Appendix, giving an account of the
struggle of SwitseHand to recover liberty, 1775.
Regretting that I am not able to recover more of the details of a life,
which, in many respects, was one of great interest,
I am, my dear Sir, faithfully yours,
EDWARD J. HARDEN.
JAMES CALDWELL.
1760—1781.
FROK THE REY. NICHOLAS MDRRAY, D. D.
EmABJWHTOWw, N. J., November 18, 1847.
My dear Sir: I am happy to comply with your request in furnishing, as
much in detail 'as I can, the facts connected with the eventful life of tho
Bev. James Caldwell. Though almost seventy years have passed since hi?
death, his name is still fragrant, not only within the bounds of his congre-
gation, but throughout this whole region; and there are not a few among
us, who are alive to every effort to honour and perpetuate his memory.
The Caldwell fiunily, if a uniform tradition can be relied on, are of
French origin, and, at the time of the Beformation, became Huguenots.
Driven from their country by the fierce persecutions which succeeded the
revocation of the Bdiot of Nanti, they fled to Scotland, where they lived
JAMES CALDWELL. 223
upon an estate called Cotd'todl^ from a remarkably oold spring of water
upon it* Driven from Sootland by other peraeontionB, they fled to Ireland,
whore, as Presbyteriana, they were permitted to worship Qod in peaoe.
Early in the eighteenth oentnry, John Caldwell oame to this country from
Ireland, bringing with him, besides his wife and children^ fonr sisters, — all
unmarried. Landing at Newcastle, De., he settled ilrst in Lancaster
County, Pa., but soon remo?ed to a settlement called Cub Creek, in what
IB now Charlotte County, Ya. There Jaicbs Caldwell, the subject of
this sketch, was bom in 1784, — the youngest of seven children. And so
numerous became the descendants of John Caldwell, that they gave their
name to a place which I understand is called ** the Caldwdl settlement " to
the present day.
He was sent to Princeton College, where he was graduated in the year 1769,
— ^the first year of the Presidency of the eloquent Davies. In about a year
afterwards he was licensed as a probationer for the ministry, and in 1761
was ordained by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, and, probably at the
same time, installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Elisabethtown.
He was married March 14, 1763, to Miss Hannah Ogden of Newark,
whose piety and fortitude helped to cheer and sustain him through many a
dark and trying scene.
Soon after his settlement in Elisabethtown, commenced the differences
between Great Britain and her Colonies, which resulted in the war of the
Bevoludon, and subsequently in our Independence. Descended from the
Huguenots, and imbibing the spirit of the Scotch Covenanters, he may be
said to have inherited a feeling of opposition to tyranny and tyrants. Pos-
sessing warm feelings, fine genius, great muscular energy, and sleepless
perseverance, he entered with all his heart into the controversy. Connected
with his congregation, at the time, were the Daytons, the Ogdens, Francis
Barber, William Crane, Oliver Spencer, Elias Boudinot, William Living-
ston, Abram Clark, and others, who became eminent for their wisdom,
piety, valour, patriotism, and whose names will long live in the annab of
their country. Sustained by such men, and he in turn infusing into them
his own spirit, he and his people were soon branded as rebels ; — and richly
did ihey deserve the name.
On tiie commencement of hostilities, and the formation of the Jersey
Brigade, he was at once selected as its Chaplain.
In June, 1776, he joined the Jersey Recent, then on the northern
lines, under the command of his friend and parishioner. Colonel Dayton.
His regiment was stationed at Johnstown, when the news of the Declara-
tion of Independence reached it. Col. Ebenezer Elmer, then and there in
the service, makes the following note of the ceremonies to which the news
gave rise, on the 16th of July, 1776.
'* At twelve o'clock, assembly was beat for, that the men might parade,
in order to receive a treat, and drink the States' health. ' When, having
made a barrel of grog, the Declaration was read, and the following toast
was given by Parson Caldwell : — ^ Harmony, honour, and all prosperity to>
the Free and Independent United States of America: wise legislatom,
brave and victorious armies, both by sea and land, to the United States
of America.' When three hearty cheers were given, and the grog flew
xoond amain."
# nig Is aid to be the origlii of Um OMM.
224 eRESBYTEBIAK.
He did not remain wiih the armj until the olose of the campaign, \m%
returned to New Jersey, where he was inceaeantlj oeoapied b j his pnblio
and parocUal duties. Hb popularity with the army and the people was
unbounded, and his praotioal wisdom and business talents were held in the
highest estimation.
But his popularity with the friends of the Bevolution was equalled, if
not surpassed, by his unpopularity with its enemies. High rewards, it is
said, were offered for his capture, and, to ayoid the dangers to which he was
constantly exposed from the Tories and the enemy, then in possession of
Staten Island and New York, he remo?ed his residence to Oonnectiout
Vamis, — a small place distant a few miles from Elisabethtown, where he
continued until his death. Such were his own apprehensions and those of
his friends, that he usually wont armed; and, after the burning of his
church, when preaching in what is yet spoken of as the Old Bed Store, he
was often seen to disencumber himself of a pair of pistols, and lay them
by his side. To us, in these days, all this looks strange enough in a minis-
ter of the Gk>spel of peace; but there is an old proyerb which well says
that '* Circumstances alter oases." He would not be a Tory — he could not
be a neutral — his temperament forbade it; and the principles which led
him to defend his country, taught him to defend himself abo. He belonged
to a class of mimsters, who, idmost to a man, considered it their duty to
God, to aid their country in every way possible in the ezistbg struggle;
some of whom raised their own companies, and marched at their head to
meet the enemy.
He was sustained in his political action by his congregation, with scarcely
a solitary exception. The church in which he preached, was cheerfally
yielded as a hospital for sick, disabled and wounded soldiers, as some of the
aged people, still living, testify. It was its bell that sounded through the
town the notes of alarm, on the approach of the foe; its floor was not
unfirequently the bed of the weary soldier; and the seats of its pews, the
table from which he ate his scanty meal. Its worshipper^ on the Sabbath
were often compelled to stand through the servioe, because of the greasi-
ness of their seats, and the fragments of bread and meat by which they
were covered. In vengeance on the pastor and the people, this church was
fired on the 26th of January, 1780, by a refugee named Oomelius Het-
field. On the 26th of June following, whilst General Knyphausen was on
his way to Springfield, Mrs. €aldwell was shot by a refugee, through the
window of a room to which she had retired with her children for safety and
devotion, — two balls passing through her body. Her corpse having been
drawn forth, and laid in the open street, the building was fired; and soon
all the surrounding bbildings were in ashes. Mr. Caldwell, on the night
previous, had slept under his own roofi* Hearing of the approach of the
enemy, he mounted his horse, and proceeded to the quarters of Washing-
ton. After having gone a short distance, he returned to persuade his wife
to accompany him ; but she could not be induced to go. Whilst drinking a
cup of coffee in hb saddle, the enemy appeared in the dbtance ; and he,
bidding hb wife farewell^ galloped away. Thb, hb last.mtervaew with her,
took place in the morning before sunrise. On the evening of that day, he
heard two soldiers talking in a whisper to each other, but the only words
that dbtinotly fell upon Us ear were ** Mrs. Caldwell/'— and thoae were
JAKES CALDWELL. 225
fireqaently repeated. Suspecting that all waa not right, he besought them
to tell him the worst : it was thus he first learned the tragio end of his wi&.
On the subsequent attack upon Springfield he was present, and in every
way he oould, encouraged the troops. It is said that, during the conflict,
the wadding of a company of soldiers failed : Caldwell flew to the Presby-
terian Ohurch, and fillbg his pockets and his arms with Watts' Psalms and
Hymns, rode back to the company, and, as he scattered them about, throw-
ing one here and another there, he cried out, ** Now put Watts into them,
boys."
When the army was reduced to a Tcry low state, as to both pay and pro-
visions, Oaldwell was appointed Assistant Commissary General, and opened
his office in Chatham. In this position his services were of immense
value. Such was the confidence of the people in him, that provisions were
soon supplied, and upon whatever guarantee he could give as to pay. And
often, when the soldiers were under great excitement, because of the
incapacity of Congress to pay them, the patriotic addresses of Caldwell
allayed their feelings, and excited their enthusiasm to fight on to the last,
under whatever trials and hardships.
Whilst New York and Staten Island remained in possession of the
British, the war between the Boyal and Bepublican armies was mainly at
the South. New Jersey remained comparatively tranquil after the return
of Knyphausen from Springfield, and the destruction of the bridge at
Elisabethport. By flags of truce there were constant communications with
New York, and the goods purchased there were sold in aU our towns. And
there were just soldiers enough left in New Jersey to act as sentinels at the
main points, and to give due notice to the people in case of an attack. In
this state of things, Mr. Caldwell was cluefly engaged in attending to the
spiritual wants of hb people.
Thwe lived in the city of New York a family by the name of Murray,
who greatly endeared themselves to many in New Jersey by their kindness
to the Jersey prisoners in that city. Some of their relations resided in
Elisabethtown. Arrangements were made for a visit from one of the ladies
of the &mily ; and, on the 24th of November, 1781, she came to Blisabeth-
town Point, under a flag of truce; and Mr. Caldwell went down in his car-
riage to meet her, and convey her to the town. As to the incidents which
follow, there are conflicting statements; but that which I am about to
£^ve, is regarded, on the whole, as sustained by the most competent and
numerous witnesses.
A sentry was kept up, at that time, at the Port. Tying his horse outside
the sentinel, Mr. Caldwell proceeded to the wharf, and taking with him
Miss Murray, placed her in his carriage, and then returned to the boat for
a small bundle that belonged to her. Thus he passed three times the man
who was keeping guard. With a small package in his hand he was return-
bg a second time to his carriage, when the sentinel ordered him to stop,
thinking probably that there was something contraband in the bundle. He
replied that the bundle belonged to the young lady in his carriage. The
sentinel said that it must be examined. Mr. Caldwell turned quickly about
to carry it back to the boat, that it might be opened there, when the fatal
ball struck him. The Captain of the guard hearing the report of a gun,-
looked round and saw Mr. Caldwell staggering before him. He ran and
caught him in his arms, and laid him on tiie ground, and without speaking
Vol m. 29
PBBSBTTBRJAK.
a word, he almost iiiBtaiitly expired,^— the ball hansg paaaed tlimigh Ua
heart.
The man who shot him was James Hoigan, belongiiig to the Jersey
Sfilitia, — an Irishman by birth, and a man of the most debased and proili*
gate character. He was always drank when he could be ; and liqnor tamed
him into a sayage. * His fiunily resided near a well in Blisabethtown, into
which a child of his fell one day, and was drowned. When he.retomed, ho
found his child dead; and taking it by the arms, he beat its broken hearted
mother with the dead body of her own child, until her cries brought some
of the neighbours to her rescue.
Whether Morgan was on duty as a sentinel, when he shot Caldwell, is,
to say the least, questionable. Many of the old people about Elisabeth*
town say that he was not on duty ; and an aged person in Westfield, who
witnessed the trial, declares that one of the main &ot8 which led to the
conviction of Morgan, was, that he was not on duty as a sentinel at the
time: he was relieyed but a few momenta before the arriyal of Mr. Cald-
well.
The dead body of Mr. C. was laid on a bed of straw in a waggon, and thus
was taken to the town, to the house of his deyoted friend Mrs. Noel, whence
it was buried on the following Tuesday, — Noyember 28, 1781. The funeral
was one of the most solemn scenes that this town has oyer witnessed. The
concourse assembled on the occasion was inmiense. The Bey. Dr. MeWhorter
of Newark preached the Funeral Sermon, from Ecdeaiastes yiii, 8; and,
after the seryioe was ended, the corpse was placed on a large stone, before
the door of the house of Mrs. Noel, where all could take a last yiew of the
remains of their murdered pastor. When this affecting ceremony was oyer,
and before the coffin was closed. Dr. Boodinot came forward, leading nine
orphan children, and, pladng them around their fitther's bier, made an
address of surpassing pathos to the multitude in their behalf. It was an
hour of deep and powerful emotion; and the procession slowly moyed to
the graye, weeping as they went. And, as they lifted their streaming eyes
to Heayen, they besought the blessing of Gkid upon the orphan group, and
upon their own efforts to resist and vanquish their oppressors.
Immediately after Mr. Caldwell was shot, Morgan was arrested, and sent
to the quarters of Major Scudder, then the commanding officer of the sta-
tion. Major S. deliyered him to ^e ciyil authorities, and he was committed
to answer to the charge of murder. Shortly after this, he was sent to
Burlington for safe keeping, where he remained till January, 1782, when
he was taken to Westfield for >h]s trial. After a fidr and ftdl examination
of the case, the Jury returned a yerdict of murder against the prisoner;
and he was sentenced by the Court **to be hong on the 29th of January,
1782, for the wilfal murder of the Bey. James Oaldwen.'' This sentence
was duly executed in the presence of a yast crowd of 8pectators,-*the poor
wretch 'exhibiting the most shocking and profane lerity up to the moment
of his bebg launched into the eternal world.
As to the motiyes which induced Morgan to marder Caldwell, it is diffi-
eolt, at this distance of time, and in the absenoe of all records of the trial,
to decide. There are, besides, opposite statements on the subject Some
say he was drunk at the time. Others say that he was greatiy irritated
becansc he was not regularly paid his wages; and beeaose Oddwell was
the Commissary, he supposed that he was responsible ftir the negleet.
JAIEES CALDWELL. 227
OiKers again Bay that he was bribed by the British or Tories. But whieb-
ever motive may have inflaenoed him, nothing less oan be made of the aet*
than a wanton and wioked murder.
So yivid are the reooUections of the old people of East Jersey ooneem-
ing Caldwell, that, from their descriptions of him, an artist might almost
paint him to the life. He was of middle size and of a strongly bailt frame.
His coontenance had a pensi?e, plamd oast ; but, when excited, was express-
ive of high resolution and energy. His voice was sweet and musical, and
yet so strong that, when needful, he would make himself heard above the
notes of the drum and fife. As a preacher, he was uncommonly eloquent
and pathetic ; rarely preaching without weeping himself, and at times he
would melt his whole audienoe into tears. The venerable Dr. Ashbd
Green states that the impressions made by one sermon that Caldwell
preached in Chatham in 1779 or 1780, have never been effaced from his
nund.
He was a man of unwearied activity, and of wonderful powers of both
bodily and mental endurance. Feelings of the most glowbg piety and the
most fervent patriotism occupied his bosom at the same time, without at
all interfering with each other. He was one day preaching to the battal-
ion,— ^the next, providing the ways and means for their support, — the next,
marching with them to battle ; — ^if defeated, assisting to conduct their
retreat, — if victorious, offering their united thanksgivings to Ood, — and
the next, carrying the consolations of the Gkmpel to some afflicted or dying
parishioner. Down to the present hour, the aged ones speak of him with
tearful emotion. Never was a pastor more affectionately remembered by a
people. And, as a token of grateful respect and veneration for his mem-
ory, one of the townships in the County of Essex has been called by his
name.
Mr. Caldwell left behind him, as I have already stated, nine orphan
children, with but a scanty patrimony for their support ; and even thai
was unwisely managed. But Ood raised up friends for them, and they all
lived to be respectable and useful, and some of them to occupy important
places in Church and State. John £., the third child, was taken by
La Fayette to France, and was educated under the direction of the Mai^
ohioness. He subsequently returned to this country, and was, for many
years, among the most distinguished philanthropists of the city of New
York. Jamu £., the fourth ohild, was, for a long time, a Judge of the
Courts of Olouooster County in this State. And Eliu £., the seventh
ohild, was, for some years. Clerk of the Supreme Court of the United
States; and because of his noble efforts in the cause of Coloniiatioh, one
of the towns in Liberia is called Caldwdl^ in honour of him.
At a meeting of the Cincinnati of New Jersey, in Eliiabethtowni July
4, 1844, it was intimated to them that a monument ought to be erected to
the memory of this patriot minister, and that the suggestion, as to its ereo-
tion, should oome from them, llie idea was kindly entertained, and a
committee was appointed to consider the subject. A similar committee
was appointed by the First Presbyterian Church of Bliiabeihtown, to
oo-operate with that of the. CinoiiiiMitL And, through the jomt agency of*
these oommittees, a beauttfiil monoment to the memory of Oaldwe])} was.
erected over his remains, in the graveyard of the Finit Presbjfteriaii'
Church, to transmit the menoiy of fciapaftriotism, piety, and exalted worA
328 FRESBTTERIAir.
id generations to eome. That mfonninent wlui dedicatedi by appropriate
oeremonies, on the 24th of Novembery 1845,— the eizty-fonrth annWer-
sary of Mr. Galdweirs death. An appropriate and impreBnye Addrew
was delivered on the oooasion by the Rev. Samuel Miller, D. D., whioh
1^ sinoe been published.
Hoping that these brief notices,— the best that I hare been able to
gather, — of one of the most honoured martyrs to Amerioan liberty, may
virail to your purpose,
I am, dear Sir,
Truly and affectionately yours,
NICHOLAS XUBSAT.
JOHN CARMICHAEL .♦
1760—1786.
JoHH Oabmiohaxl was bom in the town of Tarbert in Argyleshire,
Scotland, October 17, 1728.. His parents, Donald and Elisabeth (Alex-
ander) Oarmiehael, were both exemplary members of the Presbyterian
Ohurch. Oircumstanoes of a personal nature induced them to migrate to
tluB country in the year 1787. As they drew near the American coast,
after a long voyage, a sudden gust well nigh overturned the yessel ; and
their son John^ tiien a little boy eight years old, was precipitated overbbard ;
but, happUy, the waves bore him within reach of the Oaptun, and his life
was saved. After remuning a short time at New York, they removed to
Hackensack, a Dutch settlement in New Jersey, where they experienced
much kindness from the people ; but the irreligion, espeoinlly the pro&na-
tion of the Lord's day, that prevuled there, led the pious ^father to seek,
{particularly on account of his children, a more congenial residence. Such
a place he found in what was then called Ward Session, a few miles from
Newark, N. J. Here the family attended the ministry of the Bev. Aaron
Burr, — whose preaching made a deep impression on the mind of this son,
and whose addresses at the Communion table he always remembered as
having been characterised by great pathos and power.
, In the year 1746, when he was between sixteen and seventeen years of
age, death deprived him of his father ; and his mother, being left with fLye
or six children, of whom he seems to have been the eldest, (at least the
eldest son,) she urged upon him, as the head of the fitmily, the duty of
maintaining domestic worship* It does not appear that he declined the
service, though his mind had not yet been brought fully into harmony with
the requisitions and spirit of the Gospel ; but, shortly after this, in conse-
quence of reading some excellent bopks which were put into his hands, his
mind became fixed in evangelical views, his heart bowed in humble sub-
ihission to the Divine requirements, and ultimately he not only cherished
the desire, but formed the purpose, of devotbg himself to the Ohrisiian
ttinistey,
• Xa. ft«B Ui gnaddMi^lOT, Mis. B«lpii.
JOHN OABMIOHAEL. 229
He entered the OoUege of New Jeney in the year 1755. In a letMr
dated February 23, 1758, he writes thus :— '' Donbtleas yon have heard that
Mr. Bdwarda has taken the Presidentship of oar College. A dear gentle-
man, greatly loved of all the students, — one whose piety and learning is too
well known to need my oommendation. I will only say this much, — that my
highest expectations have been more than answered in every thing. He
deUvera^ the clear and awful truths of our holy religion with a solemnity
becoming their importanoe, and as one who is really entrusted with the
souls of his fellow mortab. I hope he will be to this Society as the cherish-
ing rays of the sun, which will expel the heavy gloom and nocturnal dark-
ness which seemed impending over Nassau Hall, on the hiding from view
that bright luminary, by the death of our President Burr." In November
of the same year, — in reviewing some of the events of the year, he writes
as follows : — ** I have seen another very dear President" (Edwards himself)
*' breathing out his last expiring breath in the agonies of death. Oh, my
soul, forget not the holy fortitude, the Christian magnanimity, with which
he grappled with the tyrant, and his unshaken fidth in the Great Mediator."
Mr. Carmichael finished hb collegiate course, and was admitted to the
d^pree of Bachelor of Arts, in August, 1759. In November following, he
was summoned to the death bed of his mother, where he witnessed a scene
of remarkable Christian triumph.
After studying Theology at Princeton, under the direction of the Ber.
Samuel Davies, who had succeeded to the Presidency of the College the
year he was graduated, he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New
Brunswick, on the 8th of May, 1760. The next Sabbath, he preached both at
Bliiabethtown and at Newark, and during the week or two that he remained
in that neighbourhood, his public services averaged about one each day.
Towards the close of the month, he went to Philadelphia, to wut on the
Synod for orders to supply vacancies, as they might judge proper. Speaking
with reference to this journey, he says — ^' Dear, dear Mr. William Tennent
gave me a refreshing, seasonable, but very humbling, lecture, by the way,
in private, as we rode together, about my too frequent preaching."
From a letter of Mr. CarmichaePs still extant, it appears that, even
before his licensure, proposals were made to him to settle, at a suitable
time, at a place called Sidsborough ; but, though he seems to have been not
a little exercised in regard to it as a question of duty, he finally decided
against the application. Sometime in the year 1760, he received a call
from the church of the Forks of Brandywine, Chester County, Pa., to
become their pastor. This call he accepted : and the Presbytery of New*"
castle, then lately constituted from a part of the Donegal Presbytery, met
at the Forks of Brandywbe, April 21, 1761, and ordained him to the work
of the ministry, and installed Um pastor of that congregation. This con-
nection continued until it was terminated by his death.
When the war of the Kevolution came on, Mr. Carmichael showed hinH
self an earnest and uncompromising friend to the liberties of his country;
In. the summer of 1775, the militia of the town of Lancaster requested him
to preach a military sermon. In complying with their request, he gave
them a discourse in which he endeavoured to establish the lawftdness of
self defence; and so acceptable was it, that a copy was requested fbr the
press, and it very soon passed to a second edition. In referring to it in his
diary, he says, — *' I desire to give God all the glory, if he emtblea me to
280 .nssBTsmus.
ttirow 67011 a mite into il^o^j^riiig ia aid thiL great Ameiiaan enue q^aiiial
tjra&ny and wicked nmirpatipii." So effeetnaUj did lie aneeeed in iimtiHing
into ike minds of bis people his own patriotie spirit, thai, whenerer they were
called into the seryice, it ia eaid thict noi.a man of them hesitated or fidtered ;
and as it devolyed on the females, in the absence of their hnsbands, and
fiathers, and broihexsi to superintend the ont-door concerns, he was accnstomed
to go around and render them needed advice and assistanee ; and, with sneh
wise and efficient co-operation» they succeeded in securing at least the
usual crops. A report was at one time current through the region in which
he lived, that a premium had been offered to any one who woidd bring him
to New York. This put his people upon the alert ; and though there is no
evidence that any attempts to carry out such a purpose were ever made, yet
the rumour occasioned great anxiety to his fiunily, and several times they
wore actually taken off in haste, under the influence of a fidse alarm.
While the British still had possession of New Tork, he received a letter from
there, stating that his uncle in Scotland had left him a legacy, which, if he
would come on, ho should receive, provided he would recant his treasonable
oath of allegiance to a rebellious Oongress ; but, in case of his refusal, it
should be confiscated. It is hardly necessary to say that he chcse to sacri-
fice the legacy rather than his prinoipleB. He had also clsims to a consider-
able amount of property in Albany ; but, unfortunately, the attorney to
whom he committed his papers, turned out to be a Tory, and paseed over to
jdie British, carrying the papers with him. His patriotic spirit comes out,
perhaps in nothing more than in the following record of the birth of a son,
which was made in his Family Bible :— <* On the 18th of October, 1777, was
bom to me a son. Since it pleased the Great God of Providence to ordain he
should be born the very day and hour that General Burgoyne and his whole
lurmy had to come forth, and ground their arms, and resign themselves prison-
ers of war to these United States of America ; as General Gates was the instru-
ment, in the hands of a kind and Divine Providence, to effect this deliver-
ance ; and as our great, judicious Oommander-in-chief, General Washington,
still continues to persevere amidst many difficulties, to head the American
army, I thought it my duty, as a memorial of these events, to call my son
Washingtan Oatit.'*
Mr. Carmichael was inde&tigable in his labours as a Christian minister ;
^ol only discharging his various duties among his own flock with great
punctuality and fidelity, but often sssisting his brethren in extraordinary
exercises, and sometimes peifonniug short tours of missionary service. His
health was feeble for many, years previous to his death, but his active
labours were scarcely ever intermitted. A fow months only before he died,
)m preached a course of sermons on Haggai i. 10, — the design of which was
to diow that there are times when the servants of God should be more than
ordinarily engaged for ihe promotion of religion. The disease of which he
died (pneumonia) was induced by the fotigue which he underwent in assist-
ing the Bev. Bobert Smith of Pequea, at the Oommunion in his church, and
by his exposure to the rain on his return home. Two Sabbaths before his
death, he administered the ordinance to his own people, and, in serving the
last table, expressed to them the belief that he shotdd no more drink wine
with, them until he dxank it new in his Father's Kingdom. He called upon
all the communicants who were present, to join with him in devout thanks-
giving for the great peace and consolation which he had enjoyed during his
JOHK OARMIOHAEL. 231
illnesB. Hifl death was a soene of nnoommon triumph ; and the last expres-
sion that fell from his lips was — " Oh that I had a thousand tongues that I
nu^t employ them all in inviting sinners to Christ;" He died on the 15th
of November, 1785, in his lifty-eighih year.
Mr. Oarndohael was married on the 8ih of May, 1761, to Phebe Cram
of Newark, N. J. Her mother was the second wife of the Rev. Jonathan
Dickinson, first President of the College of New Jersey. By this marriage he
had three children, the eldest of which, a son, died in infancy. The second,
John Flavd^ studied medicine under Dr. Scott of New Brunswick, N. J. ;
practised for a time with acceptance in his native place, entered the army,
as a surgeon, in 1788 ; and, after holding the office several years, settled
in the State of Mississippi, where he died in 1807. A third child, by this
marriage, — a daughter, still survives (1854) in her eighty-ninth year. Mrs.
Carmichael died on the 2l8t of October, 1772, in her forty-second year.
On the 2d of June, 1778, he was married a second time, to Catharine
Mustard. She died on the 5th of Augost, 1774, leaving an infant daugh-
ter, who afterwards became the wife of the Hon. Bobert Jenkins, and still
lives, a widow, on the paternal estate in Lancaster County, Pa.
On the 24th of April, 1775, he was married, a third time, to Sally, daugh-
ter of the Bev. Samuel Blair of Fagg's Manor. By this marriage he had
three children, — ra daughter who married the Bev. Samuel Donneh* and
migrated to Tennessee, but died shortly after she arrived there ; a son, —
IVashingtan Gatett who entered the army with promising prospects, but
soon died of yellow fever, at the mouth of the Mississippi, and another
daughter who still survives as the widow of a Captain Allen. The mother
died on the 11th of May, 1810.
The Bev. Dr. J. N. 0. Grier, in a Discourse which he preached in 1849,
oontaming the History of the Church of the Forks of Brandywine, pays the
following tribute to Mr. Cam *<>1 : —
'^ The Rev. John Carmichael was an eloquent man, in his daj, and ' mightj in the
Scriptures.' He was a man of ardent feeUngs, and what he did, he did with his mlg^X.
He was the pastor of this congregation during the whole of the great American Revo-
lution; and, like most of the Presbyterian clergymen of that day, he espoused the
cause of his country, like one who would rather perish, battling fbr Areedom, than lire
a slave. He was long spared to the affections and the prayers of his people, going in
and out before them, as a burning and a shining light, breaking to them the bread of
life; and being an example to the flock over which the Holy Ghost had made him an
oyerseer, eyer caUlng upon them ' to be followers of him, ctcu as he also was of
Christ.'
*' The Congregation increased under his ministry, which lasted about tfranty-four
vears. He died greatly respected, and deeply lamented, by his people,— and having
in aU the churches of his Presbytery the reputation of a man thoroughly furnished
for his work—- one who needed not to be ashamed, because he rightly dinded the word
of truth."
In addition to the above testimony, I may say that, through the kindness
of Mr. Carnuchaers granddaughter, Mrs. Beigart, of Windsor, Pa., I haye
been put in possession of large portions of his diary, which make it mani-
fest, beyond all question, that he was an eminently devout and earnest Chris-
tian, as well as an uncommonly laborious and faithful minister. He seems
to have been in the habit of acknowledging Qod in every thing, even in the
most inconsiderable events of his life ; and ihongh his great constitutional
ardour rendered him more th^n ordinarily sensitive to bereavement, or afflio^
tbn of any kind, yet such was the depth and strength of his religious feet
• Mr. Donael Joined the Oumberiamd PrssbyteilaBS.
232 PiCBSBTTfiRIAX.
ings, that hU sabiiuBsion and confidence in God aeem neyer to haye fiuled
liim. I have had the opportonity of readmg a few of his maAiucriptB, as
well as the only Sermon of his which was eyer printed, and they all bear
the impress of a mind of much more than ordinary comprehensiyeness and
energy.
AZEL ROE, D. D .♦
1760—1815.
AzxL RoXy son of John Boe, was bom at Setanket, on the East end of
Long Island, on the 20th of February, 1788. His father was a man of
considerable property, and of highly respectable standing in society. He
was graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1766 ; and studied The-
ology under the direction of the Key. Oaleb Smith of Newark Mountains,
(now Orange). He was licensed to preach the Gospel, by the New York
Presbytery , in the latter part of the year 1759, or early in 1760 ; and,
about two years after, was orduned to the work of the ministry, sine tituloj
by the same Presbytery. After preaching, for some time, as a candidate,
at Woodbridge, the congregation united in presenting him a call ; and, hay^-
ing accepted it, he was installed in the autumn of 1768.
A few years after his settlement, a proposal was made to form a union
between the congregation of which he was pastor and the upper congrega-
tion, (a branch or colony at Metuchin, called Second Woodbridge,) by which
these churches were to be considered as one ecclesiastically, — ^that is, to
haye one Session, and to share equally in the senriccs of the minister. A
little before the year 1700, this united Church was yisited by an extensiye
reyival, which, in the course of two or three years, added to its numbers
upwards of one hundred. The Congregation of the First Church became
dissatisfied that the people of Metuchin should share equally with them-
selyes the labours of their minister, and began to express the wish that the
union to which they had consented, a few years before, might be dissolyed ;
and this was finally effected, though not without strong opposition from the
Congregation of Metuchin, nor until after repeated applications to the Pres-
bytery. The dissolution of this union arose from an unbounded attachment
to the pastor by both congregations. They both claimed him, and each
desired to possess him wholly.
As his niinistry included the period of the Keyolutionary war, he showed
himself, in yarious ways, an earnest friend to the liberties of his country.
The part of New Jersey in which he resided, was much annoyed by marau«
ding parties, sent out from the British troops encamped on Staten Island.
On one occasion, a braye Continental Captain, who had done great execu-
tion in driying off or annoying these predatory bands, was yery anxious to
attack a party which had encamped near the Biasing Star Ferry, but could
not induce his men to follow him. As many of them belonged to Mr.
• Be«ndf of fh« Chmh at WoodlnUgs .—1188. flmn Ua gnndioBy Mr . A. 8 . Bo«, Sod B«y
W. X. HMtiii.
AZBL ROB.
2S3
Boe's pariah, he thought he would put in requisition hit influenee over
them. Acoordiiigly, he called and stated his lUfBicultj, and found Mr. B.
more than willing to second his efforts. The good mmister accompanied the
Captain to the place where the men were, and addressed a few words to
them, exhorting them to their duty, and enforcing his exhortation by telling
them that it was his purpose to go into the action himself. And into the
action he went, — every man following readily. But when the bullets began
to fly among them, they promised that if he would keep out of harm's way,
they would do the business for the enemy. And seeing that their spirits
were sufficiently excited, he did retire, and, as he afterwards acknowledged,
very much to his own comfort.
But this was by no means the most serious point of his connection with
the war. So active was he in stirring up all within his influence to enlist
in his country's cause, that the Tories united with the British, and seised
him one night while he was with his family, and carried him off as a prisoner
to New York, where they shut him up in the '* Sugar House." As they
were on their way to New York, they were obliged to ford a small stream.
The officer in command, who seemed to have taken a fimcy to Mr. Boe, and
treated him politely, insisted that the captured minister should allow him to
cany him over upon his back. When they were in about the middle
of the stream, Mr. Boe, who relished a joke, and was not wanting in ready
wit, said to the officer, — *' Well, Sir, if never before, you can say, after this,
that you was once priest-ridden." The officer was so convulsed with
laughter, that he had well nigh fiiUen under his burden into the water. The
morning after he arrived at New York, when he was without food, and knew
not how his necessities were to be supplied, an excellent breakfast was sent
to him by the father of Washington Irving who had been informed of his
imprisonment ; and this same gentleman took care that he was rendered
comfortable until he was exchanged. Shortly after this, in order to prevent
a second surprise, he moved his family some miles back towards Piscataway ,
but, after the war, he returned to the old Stone Parsonage.
Mr. Boe was a Trustee of the College of New Jersey twenty-nine years —
from 1778 to 1807. He was a member of the first General Assembly of
the Presbyterian Church in 1789, and was Moderator of that body in 1802.
He was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Yale College
in 1800.
At the close of the war of 1812, a celebration took place at Woodbridge,
which was signalized by the roasting of an ox ; and Dr. Boe consented to
officiate as orator on the occasion. His highly patriotic address awakened
the strongest enthusiasm in the community at large, not excepting some
in the church from which he had been separated, whose attachment towards
him had been somewhat cooled by his having been called to render testi-
mony in a court of law, adverse to their interest.
He was first married in September, 1768, to Bebecca, daughter of Major
Isaac Foots of North Branford, Conn., and widow of the Bev. Caleb
Smith, under whom he prosecuted his theological studies. She died on the
Ist of September, 1794. She was the mother of all his children, — two sons
and six daughters. On the 24th of December, 1796, he formed a second
matrimonial connection. The lady who now became his wife was Hannah,
daughter of the Bev. David Bostwick, pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church in New York. She had been twice married before. Her first
Vol. III. 80
j^ PBSSBmSBIAK.
hatband wtm OeiMral MoSongall otf • Bevolaiionafj fiune. Her Moond Iraa-
ba&d was Mr. Bacret, Oonsid to France, and she was his widow wKen she
waa married to Dr. Boe* She was diatingniihed for a fine inteUecti attrao-
tive mannerfl, and conBiatent and elevated piety.
In Noyember, 1816, Mrs. Boe was seiied with Inng fever, and died, after
ao iUnesa of a few days, in perfect peace, in the sixty-seventh year of her
age. When she saw that her hnsband seemed inconsolable in the prospect
of her departure, she affectionately urged him to restrain his grief, and
submit quietly to Gk)d's will. Up to the time of her death, which was on
the 28th of November, his health had been uniformly good, and his ability
to labour in no degree impaired. But the shock occasioned by her death
was greater than he could bear. An affection of the throat, apparently
caused by excessive griefs seiied him ; and, on the 2d of December, — ^four
days after the death of his wife, he yielded up his spirit in a manner so
peaoefiil that his children, who were aware that he had always been subject
to. a nervous dread of death, could hardly find it in their hearts io mourn
his departure.
FBOK THE BBY. JOHN KoDOWSLL, D. D.,
PHiLAsaKPKiA, Jsnuuy 29, 1867.
Bev. and dear Sir: I lose no time in replying to your request for my reooUeo-
tions of the Bev. Dr, Bte. He was one of my nearest ministerial neighbours for
a number of years, and my reUtions to him were such as to give me a good
opportunity of becoming acquainted with his character. I still hold him in
gratefoi remembrance, and am in no wise reluctant to pay such a tribute to his
memory as your request contemplates.
Dr. Boe was an old man when I first knew him ; and his naturally fine appear-
ance had been rendered venerable by age. He was of about the medium height —
I should say, five ftet and eight or nine inches, and well proportioned. His
manners were more than ordiniurily gracefol and d^nifled, and indicated that he
haft been fomiliar with cultivated society. He was a person of excellent Judg-
ment uid common sense, and though he is said to have possessed naturally
strong feelings, he exercised, by means of either grace, or prudence, or both
combined, remarkable seIfHX>ntrol. He had a well disciplined and well culti-
vated mind, and had the reputation of being a good scholar. His preaching was
distinguished for substantial excellence, rather than for those qualities which
attract the multitude— his sermons were characterised by weighty, well digested
and evangelical thought, so plainly expressed as always to be level to the hum-
blest intelligence; but I cannot say that his manner of delivery was specially
impressive. He was universally and highly esteemed as a pastor. He moved
about among his people with great dlgni^, kindness, and fiuthftilness,— always
evindag a watchfiil and earnest regard for their spiritual welikre. He was per-
mitted, about a year before his death, to reap a rich harvest from his labours in
an extensive and powerfhl revival of religion. He was a punctual attendant on
the judicatories of the Ohuroh, and a xmML and infinential member; and con-
tinned his fidelity in his advanced age.
Dr. Boe was well known, and was held in high esteem, much beyond the
nmghboorhood in which he lived and laboured. That he must have had a high
standing among the ministers of his own denomination, is sufficiently erinoed
by the ikot that he was called to moderate its highest Judicatory; and that he
must have had a good reputation for talents and scholarship may be inforred
from his baring been honoured with the degree of Doctor of Divinity tnm Yak
OoUege.
AZSL BOB. ,235
. Yoa.aredoabtleasawaie cl4i» remarkable prozimitjof.pr.ABoe'e death. to
thaiof hia wife. I preached her Funeral Sermon on the 29th of N9Temberjl815»
and hia on the 3d of December foUowing^r-there bong an interral of ctQ^X four
days. My text at his fbneral waa— " The memory of the Just is blessed;''— a
sentiment which I am persuaded was heartily responded to, in its application to
that honoured servant of Gk>d, by all who knew him.
With much esteem, yours,
JOHN McDowell.
JAMES WADDEL, D. D *
1761—1806.
Jaicxs Waddbl, the son of Thomas Waddel, was bom at Newry, in
the North of Ireland, in July, 1789. His parents migrated to America
in his infancy, and settled in the South-eastern part of Pennsylvania, on
White Clay Greek. His mother was distinguished for her Ohristian know-
ledge and piety, and her attachment to Scottish Presbyterianism; audit
was to her influence that he attributed his first religious impressions. In
oonsequenoe of an injury which he received, at the age of twelve, upon his
left hand, rendering it in a great degree useless, his &ther resolved to give
him a liberal education. Accordingly he was sent to Nottingham, about
fifteen miles distant, to the sohool of the Rev. Dr. Finley, where he enjoyed
excellent advantages for both intellectual and moral culture. During the
period of his connection with this school, he was the subject of very remark-
able religious exercises, though they were not occasioned by any external
means. He stated to Dr. Alexander that on two occasions m particular,
he had such views of the glory and excellency of the Qospel as he never
enjoyed afterwards. Dr. Finley rendered him important aid by his excol-
lont counsel and instruction^ and at length admitted him to the communion
of the church.
Such was Hr. Waddel's proficiency » especially in the classics, that Dr.
Finley took him, at an early age, to be his assistant. On leaving this
school, he became an assistant teacher in another celebrated sohool of that
day, — at Pequea, Lancaster County, Pa., under the care of the Rev. Robert
Smith; — a school from which proceeded as many as fifty young men who
were afterwards ministers of the Gospel. After having been engaged here
a year or more, he set out to travel South, intending, as is supposed, to
devote himself to teaching, and to settle in Charleston, S. 0. On his way
he stopped at Upper Marlborough, Md^, where a Presbyterian church had
already been founded ; and though he was solicited to remain there, the
inducements were not so strong as to detain him, and he pursued his
journey till he reached Hanover County, Ya. Here he had the pleasure of
listening to the eloquence, and making the acquamtance, of that prince of
pulpit orators, Samuel Davies ; and it was this circumstance probably that
gave the decisive direotion to Ids life. Mr. Davies not only fort>ade him to
go fiftrther, but urged him to devote himself at once to the ministry.
•HotioM of Br. Waddel la the ^« Watehman of the Sooth.^'^JToofte'i SketehfS of Ya., Zi^
JM of Bar. J>r. Alezasdar.— MB. tnm Bey. Dr. HiU.
286 FBESBYtEBIAH.
Though he had l^een stadymg medioine before this, he wu now penuaded
to abandon it, and to aot in aocordanoe with Mr. Dayiea' advioe. Shortly
after this, he entered upon hia theological studies, under the direction of
the Bey. Mr. Todd of Looiaa County, an eminent minister of his day, and
meanwhile became engaged, for the third time, in the business of instruc-
tion. Here he remamed until he was licensed as a probationer, at Tinkling
Spring, on the 2d of April, 1761, by the (Old) Presbytery of HanoTer.
Hb aooeptanoe as a preacher, from the beginning, may be estimated by the
fact that, at the meeting of the Presbytery in October foUowmg his Ucen-
sure, there were put into his hands five caUs ; but he did not think proper
even to take any of them into consideration ; as his mind was made up at
that time to return to Pennsylvania, and he was not without some expecta-
tion of a settlement at York. He, therefore, left Yiiginia, and returned
home to visit his parents ; and when he revisited Virginia afterwards, it was
with a view of obtaining a dismission from the Presbytery. When, however,
the Presbytery met, there were present two gentlemen of great respect-
ability as oommissioners from the County of Lancaster, Ya., who made suo^
representations in regard to the spiritual destitution of the region in which
they lived, that Ur. Waddel was constrained to admit the claim upon his
services, and accordingly he suddenly changed his purpose. At a meeting
of the Presbytery at Prcfridenoe, on the 7th of October, 1762, he signified
his acceptance of a call from the Churches of Lancaster and Northumber-
land ; and, on the 16th of June, he was ordained at Prince Bdward.
The people of Mr. WaddePs charge found in him every thing they could
desire, and they showed him evexy mark of affectionate respect. He does
not seem, at the time of his setdement, to have expected to renuun long
there ; but various circumstances conspired to a different result. He found
so much hospitality, intelligence, and piety in the region around, that the
reluctance he had fUt to malung his permanent home there was quickly
overcome. Besides, he was united in marriage, about the year 1768, wi^
Hary, daughter of CoIodcI James Gordon, a gentleman of great respecta-
bility, and an elder in one of the churches to which he ministered. His
father-in-law, shortly after his marriage, established him in a new and com-
modious house on Ourratoman River; and here he would gladly have
remained during hb whole life, but for the ill effects of the climate upon his
health. He passed no year without an attack of btermittent fever ; and he
often preached, when it was difficult for him to stand erect This, in con-
nection with the inroads of the Eevolutionary war, led him, about the year
1776, to resign his charge, and remove to the Yalley of the Shenandoah.
Some two years previous to this, he had received a call from the Congrega-
tions of Opekon and Cedar Creek, which he declined.
On leaving Lower Virginia, his attention was directed to Tinkling
Spring, in Augusta; and, on the 1st of May, 1776, a call from that congre-
gation was presented to him, which he engaged to take into consideration
for a year. In 1778, he removed his family to a place called Spring Hill,
a few miles above Waynesborough, where he remabed about seven years.
For some time, his labours were confined to the Tinkling Spring Congrega-
tion, but they were afterwards shared by that and the congregation at
Staunton. During bis residence in Augusta, his health was entirely restored.
Li 1785, Hr. Waddel removed to an estate which he had purchased at
the eastern base of the Blue Bidge. This he named Hopewell. HLi
JAMES WADDBL. 237
house was in Louisa, but liis property, amountiing to nearly a thousand
acres, lay chiefly in the Oonnties of Orange and Albermaile. He preaohed
in several oharches in the neighbourhood, and also became, for the foorth
time, a olasuoal teacher, and received pupils in his own house. The period
of his residence in Louisa was about twenty years.
In 1792, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by
the Trustees of Dickinson College, Carlisle.
Some time after his removal to Louisa, he was overtaken with the
calamity of blindness, — a cataract having seised first one eye, and then the
other. Be continued to preach, however, availing himself, in his prepara-
tions, of the assistance of different members of his family, in finding the
text, consulting the oommentaries, &c.; and the effect of his preaching was
not a little heightened by the fact that he was seen to be speaking in total
darkness. In 1798, his sight was partially restored, for a time, by means
of the operation of couching; but the cataract speedily returned, and he
saw the light of the sun no more.
Dr. Waddel's latter days were eminently serene and happy. The loss of
his sight, though on many accounts a most severe deprivation, he submitted
to with perfect resignation and cheerfulness. His mental fiMulties still
remained as vigorous as ever ; -and he not only enjoyed intercourse with his
friends, but entered with great interest into theological speculations. Before
his death he gave orders that all his manuscripts should be committed
to the flames; that his funeral should be conducted in the most simple
manner; and that his body should be borne to the grave by his own
servants. His death, which was a bright scene of Christian triumph,
occurred on the 17lh of September, 1805.
Dr. Waddel was the father of ten children, several of whom have occu-
pied important positions in society. One of his daughters was married to
the Bev. William Galhoon,* and one to the Bev. Dr. Alexander. His
widow died at Staunton, in the year 1818.
Probably the best idea of Dr. Waddel's preaching, which it is possible
now to obtain, is to be gathered from the following well known description
by Mr. Wirt, which appeared early in this century, in the '* British Spy :" —
" It was on Sunday, as I travelled through the Gounty of Orange, that mv eye was
caught hy a duster of horses tied near a ruinous old wooden house in the rarest, not
flur ttom the road side. Having frequently seen such ohjects hefore, In travelling
through these States, I had no difficulty in understanding that this was a place of reli-
gious worship.
" Devotion alone should have stopped me to Join in the duties of the congregation;
but I must confess that curiosity to hear the preadier of such a wilderness was not the
least of my motives. On entering, I was struck with his preternatural appearance.
He was a taU and very spare old man; his hesd, which was covered with a white linen
•William Oalroov wu bora In 1772,— 4be wn of an elder In the Briny Ohuxeh, Prinoe
Bdwsid Ooantv, Va. | beoame a member of Hampden Sidney College, at tite age of fourteen,
and was hopefully oonverted wUle a member of thai imtitaticm. He waa lioeneed to preaeh by
the Hanover Presbytery on the 13th of May, 1702, and in the sneeeeding aatnmn, went, under
the eommisslon of Synod, as a miasionanr to Kentneby. He resided in Eentnol^ fbr sevend
years, and bad a pastoral obarge there ; out retained to Yliginia in 1709, and, after preaehing
at several different plaoes, aoeepted a eall from Staunton, and Brown's meeting boose (after-
wards Hebron) • To these oongrecations be devoted hf s time and energies for a nnmber of ycais,
nntU, at lengtb, the Infirmities or advanoing life admoniabed bim to resign the ebaige, flrrt of
one eongregation, and then of the other,--belleving, as be did, tbat eaeb of them xeqniied
more enrlee than he was able to render. He, bowever, eontinned to labour, to tiie Ml
extent of Us abllltyi wblle be lived* Dr. Foots represent blm as a man of vigorous intel-
leei, of peat self eommand, of a ready mind, of fine oonveisatlonal poweis, and of an enlaiied
publle spiiit. He died on the 27th of August, 1851.
2S8 FRXSBTrBBIAir.
cap, his shriTelled li«ndi, and his Voice, were all shakbg under the loflQettce of a
pal^ and a ftw moments ascertained to me that he was perftetly blind.
'* The first emotions that tonched my breast were those of minped pity and venera-
tion. Bat how soon were all my fbelfaigpi changed I The lips of Plato were never
more worthy of a prognostic swarm of bees, than were the lips of this holv man I It
was a day of the administration of the Sacrament; and his snldect was, of course, the
passion of onr Saviour. I had heard the sulject handled a thousand times— I had
thou^t it exhausted long ago. Little did I suppose that in the wild woods of Ame-
rica, I was to meet with a man, whose eloquence would give to this topic a new and
more suUime pathos than I had ever before witnessed.
** As he descended fh>m the pulpit to distribute the mystic symbols, there was a
peculiar, a more than human, solemnity in his air and manner, which made my blood
run cold, and my whole firame shiver.
" He then drew a picture of the sufibringB of our Saviour; his trial befbre Pflate;
his ascent up Calvary; his crucifizion and his death. I knew the whole history ; but
never until then had I heard the circumstances so selected, so arranged, so coloured I
It was ail new; and I seemed to have heard it for the first time in my life. His enun-
ciation was so deliberate that his voice trembled on everv svUable : and every heart in
the assemblv trembled in unison. His peculiar phrases had that force of description,
that the original scene appeared to be at that moment actiog before our ^es. We
saw the very faces of the Jews; the staring, frightful distortions of malice and rage.
We saw the buifet; my soul kindled with a flame of indignation; and my hands were
involuntarily and convulsively dencfaed.
" But when he came to touch on the patience, the ftnglving meekness, of our
Saviour; when he drew to the life his blessed eyes, streaming in teats to Heaven, his
voice broathing to God a soft and gentle prayer of pardon on his enemies, " Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do." the voice of the preacher which haa
all along faltered, grew fointer and fainter, until his utterance being entirely obstructed'
by the force of his feelings, he raised his handkerchief to his eyes, and burst into a loud
and irrepressible flood of grief. The effect was inconceivable. The whole house
resounded with the mini^ed groans, and sobs, and shrieks, of the congregation.
*' It was some time befbre the tumult subsided, so fkr as to permit him to proceed.
Indeed, Judging by the usual, but foUadous, standard of my own weakness.. I begui
to be very uneasy ibr the situation of the preacher: for I could not conceive how he
would be able to let his audience down fW>m the helfgtki to which he had wound them,
without impairing the solemnity and digni^ of his subject, or perh^M shocking them
by the abruptness of the fkll. But no I the descent was as beautiftil and snUfine, as
the elevation had been rapid and enthusiastic.
" The first sentence with which he broke the awfU silence, was a quotation fWnn
Eousseau: ' Socrates died like a philosopher; but Jesus Obrist like a God P
" I despair of giving vou any idea or the efibct produced by this short sentence,
unless you could perfectly conceive the whole manner of the man, as well as the pecu-
liar crisis in the aiscourse. Never befi>re did I completely understand whst Demos-
thenes meant by laying such stress on delivery. You are to bring before you the ven-
erable figure of the preacher; his blhidness constantly recalling to your recollection
old Homer, Osslan, and Milton; and, associating with his performance the melancholv
grandeur of their geniuses, you are to imagine that vou hear his slow, solemn, well-
accented ei^unclatlon, and his voice of affeetmg,tremMing melody; you are to remem-
ber the pitch of passion and enthusiasm to which the congregation were raised, and
then the few moments of portentous, death-like silence which reiffued throughout the
house: the preacher removing his white handkerchief firom his aged feoe. (even vet wet
from the recent torrent of his tears,) and dowly stretching forth the palsied hand whldi
holds It, begins the sentence, " Socrates died like a philosopher "—then paudng, rais-
ing his other hand, pressing them both, dasped together with warmth and energy, to
his breast, lifting hu dghuCM balls to Heaven, and pouring his whole soul into his
tremulous voice,—' but Jesus Christ^ike a God !' if he had been indeed and In
truth an angel or llghty the effect could scarcely have been more Divine.
'* Whatever I may have been able to concdve of the subllmltr of Kasslllon. or the
force of BourdaJoue, had fhUen for short of the power which I felt firom the delivery
of this simple sentence. T|ie Mood whidi Just before had rushed In a hurricane upon
my brafai, and, in the violence and agony of my fbelings, had held my whole syatem
humility, and adoration. I had Just been lacerated and dissolved ter nrmpathy fiSr
Cfur Saviour ,1 as a feUow-creature; but now, with (bar and trembling, 1 adored him as
aGod.
** If this description gives you the Impresskm that this IneemparahU mhilster had
any tUng of diaikw, theatrical trick In his msaner. H does hfan great fadUstioe. I
have never seen In any other orator audi audon of slmplldty and m^city. He has
JAMES WADDBL. 230
Bot A Miore, an atUtode or an aooeni, to wliidi he doei not aeem ftxroed by tbe •enti'-
moni ue la exprea^g. Hia mind ia too aerioaa. too oarneat, too aollcltona, and at tha
aame time too dignified, to stoop to aniflee. Aithongii aa far remored from oatenta-
tion aa a man can be, yet it ia clear from the train, the atyle and substance of liia
thonghta, that he ia not only a very polite acholar . but a man of extenaire and pro-
fonnd emdition. I waa forcibly atmok with a abort yet beantlAil character, which he
drew of yoar learned and amiable countryman, Sir Kobert Boyle: he apoke of him aa
if hia noDle mind had, even before death, divested herself of all influence from hia frail
tabernacle of fleah; and called him, in nia peculiarly emphatic and impresaive man-
ner, ' a pure intelligenee, the link between men and angela.'
" Thia man baa been before my imagination almoat ever since. A thousand timea.
aa I rode along, I dropped the reins of my bridle, stretched forth my hand, and triea
to imitate hia quotation from Rouaseau; a thouaand times I abandoned the attempt
in deapair, and folt persuaded that hia peculiar manner and power arose from an
energy of soul, which nature could give, but which no human being could J uatly copy.
In abort, he aeema to be altogether a being of a former age, or or a totally different
nature from the rest of men. As I recall, at this moment, several of hia awfUlly
striking attitudes, the chilling tide with which my blood begins to pour along my arte-
riea, reminda me of the emouona produced by the first sight of Gray's introductory
picture of hia bard fr ,
' On a rock whoae hau^ty brow,
' Frowns o'er old Conway's foaming fiood,
' Bobed in the aable garb of wo,
' With haggard eyea, the poet stood.
' (Loose his beard, and hoary hair
' Streamed, like a meteor, to the troubled air:)
'And with a poet's hand, and prophet's fire,
' Struck tlie deep sorrows of his lyre.'
'* Guess my surprise when, on my arrival at Richmond, and mentioningthe name
of this man, I found not one person who had ever before heard of Jamu WadM /" '
FBOM THE REy. WILLIAM GALHOON.
Augusta Gouhtt, Ya., November 28, 1848.
Rev. and dear Sir: I first became acquainted with the Rev. Dr. James Wad-
del about 1797, at which time he was an old man. He had then been restored
to imperfect vision, by an operation on one eye, which operation had been per-
formed by Dr. Tyler of Fredericktown, Md.
In person, he was tall, slender, erect, — in general deportment, dignified and
commanding, bat remarkable for politeness and gentlemanly manners — ^indeed
I considered him a finished gentleman in the old Virginia acceptation of the term.
In fru:ther description of his person, I may say, he had a long fiuse, high fore-
head, Grecian nose, blue eyes, and small mouth and chin. He was partiallj
aflteted with palsy; and the shaking of his head and hands, with a solemn
countenance, produced in most minds a Ibeling of reverence and awe.
From the date Just mentioned until 1805, 1 lived near his residence, and when
not engaged in pastond duties, nsoally spent an hour with him every day,
attracted by his great knowledge and wonderful powers of conversation.
He exhibited a happy mixture of Ghristian cheerfulness with ministerial grav-
ity. Owing to his partial vision, he seldom made excursions beyond his imme-
diate neighbourhood,— fltill preaddng, however, at the little meeting-hoiiBe in
the Oonnty of Orange, referred to by Mr. Wirt, and two miles from Hopewell,-^
his residence.
On one occasion, he preached at Ifilton, a village in Albermarle Gonnty,
whither I had removed with my ikmily ; and this was the only sermon I remem-
ber to have heard firom him,— owing to his habit of hearing others, instead of
being hear4 by them. This sermon was preached in the presence of several infi-
dels, and, after singing the last hymn, he arose mnd inade an addrett oh the
importance of Ghristianity to a foUen world, as an evidence of its truth. I am
satisfied that I never witnessed such a torrent of eloqnenbe before or t^nce.'
He was a learned inaai, without ostimtatioas display, beteg mtin solfoitbus' to
riesent the Son of Cfod to bis audienoey than to exhibit hiinself. His articcdi^
240 FBESBTTBBUH.
tion wfts distlncty and his speeeh ndther rapid nor dow. ffia gesture was not
Btndied or uniform; bat was such as was suggested by his feelings^ and was
always pertinent to the thought he was uttering. All in him seemed the result
of a powerfully working mind» and of one constitutionally eloquent. His lan-
guage was always neat, often e^gant, evincing much coltiTation. His detitefy
showed that he poured his soul into his words.
An old elder who onoe lived under Dr. Waddel's ministrations^ informed ma
that he heard him preach, on a cerUun occasion, upon the glories of Heaven, and
the introduction of saints there; when his descriptions were so vivid that he
actually Ibrgot himself, and involuntarily looked up to behold the amasing scenes,
which the preacher, with such wonderftil power, portrayed.
When I removed to this county, the parting of Mrs. Oalhoon from her fiither
was deeply affecting. He said, " My diOd, yon weep, lest you may not see me
sgain. Were I invited to a ftast prepared for the honourable of this world,
would you be distressed ? Well, should you hear that your ikther is dead, com-
fort yourself with the thought that he has been called to the Ibsst prepared by
God for. the redeemed." It was the last time she saw him. Shortly after oqr
removal, (1805,) hearing of his illness, I visited him, and we bad much conver-
sation. He told me that he felt no personal interest in any thing earthly, —
that he was convinced that he should soon leave the world. With a solemn
countenanoe, without dejection, and in the perfect use of his mental fiumlties, he
saicl, — " I fed no concern in view of death, of a painfiil kind, no more than
when lying down to sleep.'' His mind was fbll of Heaven, because his confl-
denpe in Ohrist was firm and unshaken. He ibll asleep in Jesus shortly after I
left him.
With great respect,
WILLIAK CALHOON.
FBOK THE REV. ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER, D. D.
PanroxTOV, October 16, 1848.
Rev. and dear Sir: I do not know that I have much to add concerning Dr.
Waddel to what has already been published. I may say, however, that he was
as eloquent in private conversation as in the pulpit. He was very communica-
tive, and, in the company of young persons, woidd go on for a quarter or some-
times half an hour, in the most animated and delightful discourse; and, on the
sulidect of practical and experimental religion, these discourses were most edify-
ing. I never hesrd him preach but once; and that was when he was perfectly
blmd. The subject was the " Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican." This
passage of Scripture was repeated by him with perfect accuracy, and the dis«
course was masterly. The description of the Pharisee was striking, and in some
respects new to me; as he exhibited him aooording to the character which he had
among the people, who had no suspicion of his hypocrisy, but venerated him as
a man of superior sanctity and elevated devotion. BiB manner was not harsh,
but highly animated. This was the case in all his conversation* Whenever he
discoursed on any subject, he entered into it with his whole soul. Even on
metaphysical subjects he spoke with uncommon ardour.
He was a man of a most affectionate disposition, and in his treatment of stran^
gers was remsrkably courteous. In the expression of his own Of^nions he was
as fVee and independent as any man I ever knew. Whatever sentiments he
entertained he would express with perfect fireedom, on all occasions, howisver
they might differ torn those of the persons with whom he conversed. In his
person he wss tall and very slender. At home he wore a white cap; in the pul-
pit, a large, ftiU bottomed white wig,— whibh was the custom of the clergy in
his day.
JAMES WADIXKL. 241
The most remarkable specimen of his eloqaenoe which I erer heard, was in
a speech delivered in the small chnrch near his own house. The case was this —
a deigyman, a member of the Presbytery of Hanorer, had been maliciously
prosecuted, as I belioTe, by two of his own elders. He was a man of great sen^
sibility to any thing which touched the purity of his moral character; and this
aocusation produced in him a degree of anguish indescribable. Though unani-
mously acquitted, yet the idea of being charged with a base crime affected htm
much; and, as he feared that the decision of the Presbjrtery might not be known
to kU who had heard the aocusation, he took pains to procure a copy of the pro
oeedings, signed by the Moderator and Olerk. To this paper he attached certain
severe remarks on the malignity of his accusers, mentioning them by name.
This laid the foundation for a charge of forgery, as this had the appearance of
being entirely an extract from the Records of Presbytery. It was on this second
accusation that Dr. Waddel made the speech in defence of this clergyman. An
intelligent elder present, who did not agree in opinion with Dr. W., and who had
heard several of Patrick Henry's most celebrated speeches in criminal cases,
declared that this was the most perfect specimen of eloquence which he ever heard.
I had heard Mr. Henry on one occasion, and my opinion was that Mr. Henry's
oratory was better adapted to produce its effect on the great body of the people,
and Dr. Waddel's better suited to persons of refinement and education. Ton know
that all attempts to describe oratory are vain — it must be heard to be understood.
Jaicbs Madisok, President of the United States, lived about seven or eight
miles from the small church before mentioned, and frequently attended there
with his mother, who was an eminently pious lady, and, as long as she was able
to attend, a communicant in Dr. Waddel's little church. Mr. Madison often
visited Dr. Waddel in his own house, and sometimes consulted him in matters
reUting to the welfare of the country. Jamxs Babboos, Governor of Virginia^
was, in early life, the pupil of Dr. Waddel, and while he lived, cherished and
expressed the highest admiration of his eloquence. Shortly before his death, he
told an eminent physician in Philadelphia that Dr. W. had spoiled him, in regard
to hearing other preachers. Philip Babboub, a Justice of the Supreme Federal
Oourt, a brother of the former, entertuned the same sentiments of admiration.
Yet, while his preaching was so greatly admired by the intelligent and refined,
it did not equally attract and move the illiterate and ignorant. Often such would
prefer hearing an uneducated declaimer.
While Dr. Waddel was pastor of the Presbyterian Ohurch in Lancaster
County, in the Northern Nedc, and on the Chesapeake Bay, he was visited by
Mr. Whitefield, who spent a week in that r^on; preaching, as usual, very fre-
quently, and with amazing power, and leaving behind him many seals to his
ministry. Dr. W. was much pleased with ^e fervent seal which glowed in
Whitefleld's bosom; but he thought he had great faults, among which self-exalt-
ation was perhaps the most conspicuous and offensive. Soon after his departure,
Mr. Whitefield wrote him an account of his wonderful success in preaching the
€k)spel, and annexed to almost every description several notes of admira*
tion(! ! !). The gentlemen connected with Dr. Waddel's congregation greatly
preferred the style of eloquence to which they had been accustomed, to the more
fbrvid and impressive oratory of Whitefield. This sequestered congregation,
almost insulated by the Rappahanock, Wicomico, and Chesapeake Bay, was
several hundred miles from the nearest Presbyterian Ohurch. While Dr. W.
remabed tl^ere, he had little intercourse with his brethren in the ministry; and
his eloquencb, when he was in f^l health, and in his prime, was seldom heard
any where, except in this point of the Northern Neck. Before he moved up the
country, his constitution was broken, and his voice much shattered.
It is perhaps proper to add that Dr. Waddel, while he held firmly t|ie doc-
trines of the Bible as exhibited in the standards of the Presbyterian Churdh,
Vol. III. 31
242 PBESBYTERIAK.
vaa disposed to treat with great respect those who differed from him, eTen
though he might consider them as holding serious errors. Neither did he make
a man an offender Ibr a word in matters pertaining to practical religion. Alwajs
exemplary in his life, he was as &r as possihle from pharisaic precision, and
never frowned upon the buoyant spirits and innocent enjoyments of the young.
There was great naturalness as weQ as great dignity penrading his whole
character.
Tours truly,
A. ALEXAlf DSB.
WILLIAM TENNENT (Thtrd.)*
1762— 1777,
WiLLiAK Tbnneitt, a son of the Bey. William Tennent of Freehold,
N. J., was bom in Freehold, in the year 1740. He was graduated at the
Gollego of New Jersey, in 1768, and was admitted to the degree of Mas-
ter of Arts, at Haryard College, in 1768. He was lioenM to preach by
the Presbytery of New Brunsinok, sometime between the meetmgs of
Synod in 1761 and 1762 ; and was ordained by th^-same Presbytery between
the Synodioal meetings of 1762 and 1763. Shortly after his ordination,
he went, by appointment of Synod, to Virginia, and laboured within the
bounds, and under the direction, of the Hanover Presbytery, for six months.
In 1764, the people of Norwalk, Conn., wishing to procure a colleague
for their pastor, — ^the Bey. Moses Dickinson, then far adyanoed in life,—
applied to Mr. Tennent to preach to them as a candidate for settlement ;
and, after he had preached several Sabbaths, they unanimously invited him,
on the 18th of November, to become their junior pastor. He accepted
their invitation, but expressed a wish to retain his connection with the
Presbytery ; to which the parish consented, on condition that he should
conform practically to the rules of the Congregational Church. The Pros*
bytery, however, not disposed to connive at any such arrangement,
appointed a time and a committee of their own, for the installation. This
the parish regarded as an undue assumption; and on the 12th of June,
1765, they held a meetmg to consider the case, and, as the result of their
deliberations, passed the following vote : —
" This Society, by a copy from the minutes of the Presbytery, are Informed that
Mr. Tennent declared his acceptance of the caU of the Society, upon condition that
he shall continue a member of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, and of New
Brunswick Preal^ytery : • * * bnt at the same time professed his desire and intention
to hold oommnnion and be in connection with the Reverend Assodatlon aforesaid, as
fiir as is consistent with his continnfaig in his relation to the Synod: and that there-
upon the said Presbytery had presumed that this Church and Society complied with
the condition annexed by Kr. Tennenv to his acceptance of their call, (wUch was
made on very diflbrent terms) ; and aocordin^y ha?e assumed to themselves a right
to appoint, and did appoint, the time of Instalment, and a committee of their own to
offlolate therein. On conslaeration of all which, this Society Is of opinion that the
annexing of the condition aforeoald to the acceptance of the call aforesaid. Is a pro-
posal s^verslve of the foundation on. which tne agreement and proceeding of the
Society were predicated; and the proceedings of the Presbytery, In consequence
• HUl'i Hist. Norwalk.— Baauaj'i Hbt. 8. 0., II.— Hiil. Obn. Oh., OhailMton.— Alirai^
Von. Senn.— Hart's do.— MB. from Bov. W. 8. Leo.
WILLIAK TEimEHT (Thibd). £43
thereof, is an Attempt to draw the Ghnroh and Society off from the conetltntioD In
whloh they are tiiiftea, aod to lead them to renoonoe the relations they stand in, and
esteem too sacred to be violated; and do also view snch appointment of the time and
persons fbr instalment, as an imposition on the Society, and therelbre is to be treated
with neglect. Therefore, the Society do declare that they cannot comply with the
above said conditions and appointment; but are obliged to look ou Mr Tennent'a
annexing snch embarrassment to his acceptance tantamount to a denial of the invita-
tion mads him, Sec."
Mr. Tennent then declared that he never expected or intended that the
Sooiety shoold be nnder the power of the Presbytery; and signified his
willingness to accept the call, if this explanation should prove satiafaotory.
Whereupon the Society voted iheir approval, and desired his settlement, —
adding in their vote, June 19, 1766, —
" Nevertheless it is expected that, before his instalment, a certificate be produced
from the Reverend Presbytery aforesaid, of Mr. Tennent's being released from them,
agreeablv to the tenor of the above proposals, in order to make way for a regular set-
tlement here, and a fdU union with the Association here, on the constitution of this
Colony."
The result was that Mr. Tennent was, in due time, installed ; and, aooord*
ing to the agreement, he ret-ained his connection with the New Bmnswiok
Presbytery, and at the same time showed himself practioally a good Oon-
gregationidist.
Mr. Tennent continued his ministrations at Norwalk with great aooept-
anoe for about six years and a half. At the end of that period, he received
a call to become the pastor of an Independent Church in Charleston, S. 0.;
and, on the 8th of January, 1772, the Society met to decide whether they
would concur with Mr. Tennent in calling a council to whom the question
in respect to the call should be submitted. They peremptorily declined a
concurrence, declaring that '* there doth not appear any cause arising in the
Sooiety, or any matter subsbting between Mr. Tennent and the Society,
that makes it necessary or expedient for the Sooiety to desire a council."
Just six days after this meeting, we find the Consociation of the Western
District of Eurfield County in session, "to consider and determine a ease
of no less importance than the expediency of the Rev. Mr. Tennent's dis-
mission from the pastoral relation to this Church and Society." The
Society bebg called upon b^ the Consociation to state their views of the
case, utterly refused their consent to Mr. Tennent's dismission, and declared
their full conviction of the insuffioienoy of the reasons that were offered for
it. They seem, however, subsequently, to have yielded to some considera-
tions suggested by the Consociation, and on the 22d of January, they voted,
evidently in a spirit of great dissatisfiustion, that, if he desired a council for
the dissolution of his pastoral relation, they had ** nothing to object " to it.
Shortly after this, his dismission was effected.
Mr. Tennent, as soon as he was released from his charge at Norwalk,
went to Charleston, and was installed Pastor of the Churoh to which he had
been called. Here he was received with great favour, and both in the pul-
pit and out of it, exerted a powerful influence. When the American R«V6-
lution commenced, he entered into it with great ardour, and his &r-reaohing
mind seemed to comprehend, in, an extraordinary degree, the Wondexfnl
resulta to which it was destined to lead. His glowing seal and disiin-
gnished talents rendered him so great a &vourite with the people, thai,
contrary to established usage, they, with much unanimity, elected him a
member of the Provincial Congress. Such was the urgency of pubHo
affairs, that even good men, and ministers of the Gk>spel, sometimes con-
244 FRESBTTEBIAir.
Bidered themselvefl absoWed from the obligatioa to the etriot obeernmoe of
die Sabbath; and Dr. Bamsay Btates that, **m the different hoars of the
same day, Mr. Tennent was oooasionaUy heard both in his Chnroh and the
St-ate Honse, addressing different andiehoes, with equal animation, on their
spiritual and temporal interests." He rarely preached political sermons,,
but his prayers breathed a spirit of lofty patriotism, while they contributed
not a little to awaken and cherish the same spirit in others. His Vigorous
pen was often put in requisition for his country's cause, though nothing wais
printed with his name, except two Sermons, and a Speech delivered in the
Legislature of South Oarolina, on the justice and policy of putting all reli-
gious denominations on an equal footing. In the year 1776, the adherents
to the Royal government, in the back country, assumed an attitude of such
decided hostility towards the friends of the Sevolution, that serious conse-
quences were apprehended. In this crisis, the Council of Safety despatched
a deputation, consisting of William Tennent and William Henry Ihayton,
to endeavour to enlighten these people in regard to the nature of the dis-
pute, and bring them to co-operate with the rest of the inhabitants. The
committee not only had private bterviews with them, but held public meet-
ings in different places, and made several addresses, which were not without
effect. The result of the mission was considered as decidedly favourable to
the new. order of things, and Mr. Tennent's shrewdness and eloquence had
not a little to do with it.
Mr. Tennent was an earnest friend of religious liberty. Having been
born and educated in a Province where there had never been any Church
establishment, both conviction and habit rendered it difficult for him to
apqept toleration, as a legal boon, from those whose natural rights were not
;flaperior to his own. He drew up an aigumentative petition in &vour of
Vqual religious liberty, secured the concurrence of different denombations
i]a its favour, and when it was made the subject of legislative consideration,
he delivered an able and eloquent speech in its support. It is understood
that he exerted a powerful influence in aid of the reform which was ulti?
mately effected.
In March, 1777, Mr. Tennent's venerable &ther died at Freehold, N. J.
In the summer following, he made a joume/to Freehold, with a view to
oonduct his aged and widowed mother to his own home, that the dosing
part of her life might be cheered by his filial attentions. He had reached
th0 High Hills of Santoe, — about ninety miles from Charleston, on his
homeward way, when he was attacked with a violent nervous fever, which,
af(er a short time, terminated fittally. He died on the 11th of August,
1777, in the thirty-seventh year of his age. The Bev. (afterwards Dr.)
Bichard Furman, in a letter to Mr. Tennent's widow, says,— -
i >f ' I was with bim In his last moments— bUi life went gently from him, almost without
a4|ti:ng|^ or a groan. He told me in almost the last words he spake that his mind
wiM cflum and easy, and he was willing to be gone."
*He left a widow and five children, — ^two sons and three daughters.
Two Sermons were preached with reference to his death, — one by the
Bet. Hugh Alison,* and the other by the Bev. Oliver Hart, Pastor of a
Bapfist Church in Charleston ; both of which were published.
'* Hvea Altbov was a nallTe of PenoijlTaDlai wm srtdnated at the College of Hew Jeiisy
in IMS. efter wUeh be m§ fbr eone time engeged at a teadief. In CbstrleetoD, Q. /O. He m§
married to a danghter of Paol Smlier, a plaater in South Oarolina, ud ahortlT after lemoTed
to JaoMB Idand, taking with hfan a nnmW of jonog nen^wlth aviewto mpetlafeDd their
One of the two SermonB published by Mr. Tennent was entided ** God's
Sovereignty no oljeotion to the sinner's striving," — ^preached in New York,
1766.
The following estimate of Mr. Tennent's charaoter is from Mr. Alison's
Disooorse: —
" Do we Tiew him In the pnlpit t Few preachers had a more mf^^^^e and renerablo
rpenpe, or a more winning and oratoriaf address. Animated with a sacred regard
tlie honour of his Di?inJB Master, and the salvation of precious immortal souls, he
spake' the word with all boldness. I take yon to record that he shunned not to declare
unto 70U the whole counsel of God. A H?ely imagination, added to a carefhl study of
the Scriptures, enabled hfan to brhig forth out of his treasure things new and old; vet
he never entertained his audience with scholastic niceties or subtle questions, which
minister strife and endless disputation, rather than godlv edifVing whidi is in faith;
but he entertained them with the plain uncontroverted truths of the everlasting Grospel.
He preached Christ crucified our only wisdom, righteousness, sanctiflcation, and
redemption. He was carefhl and accurate in describing the nature of true religion,
and in distinguishing the reality fh>m the bare appearance. He spared not tlie secure
and presumptuous sinner, but would thunder forth the terrors of the Divine law apiinst
him, that. If possible, he might awaken him teem his dreadful slumbers; yet he was
always readv, and well knew how and when, to admhilster the balm of the Gospel to
the wounded spirit. Elegance of style, mi^esty of thought, and clearness of judg-
ment, appealed in his discourses, and ooncnrred to render them both pleasing and
Instructive. He laboured but a ftw yean in this place, yet we trust he laboured not in
vain.
" Or shall we view him as a patriot t His honest, disinterested, yet flaming, seal fbr
his country's good demands from ua a tribute of respect. Impressed with a sense of
the Justice, greatness, and vast importance, of the American cause, he engaged in U
with an ardour and resolution that would have done honour to an ancient Koman.
For this. Indeed, he was censured, and perhaps too liberally, even Inr his fHends. • • •
" Early In the contest, Mr. Tennent magnanimously stepped forth as an advocate
for this Continent. Here was a field suited to his great abilities, and here his abUlties
shone with increasing lustre. He first endeavoured to rouse nls fellow citizens to a
Just sense of their inestimable rights, and a wlllhigness to contend for'them ; and to
his spirited exertions, among others, mav, in a great measure, be attributed that noUe,
patriotic seal, which so soon biased fbrth to the immortal honour of this State. In
many of his speeches, which he delivered In the Provincial Congress and General
Assembly, of which he was successively a member, he displayed great erudition,
strength of argument, generosity of sentiment, ana a most unbounded eloquence.
He continued his fervent endeavours to the last, resolutely regardless of the attacks
of envy and calumny which he met with; and particularly his strenuous efforts Ar
abolismng religious as well as civil oppression in this country, deserve our sinoerosi
acknowledgments.
" His natural genius was prodigiously strong and penetrating; and the unavoidable
consciousness of his native power made him sanguine, bold, andenterprising. Yet the
event proved that his boldness arose, not firom a partial, groundless self-conceit, but
from a true self-knowledge. Upon fkir and candid trial, fUthftil and Just to himself,
he Judged what he could do; and what he could do, when called to it, he attempted,
and what he attempted he accomplished.
" But Mr. Tennent's principal ornament was his unaflbcted and substantial pietv.
His worst enemies could never charge him with a scandalous or humoral lUb. He
honoured his Divine Kaster not only hi word but in deed. The doctrines he taught
andtheduties he Inculcated, were happily exemplified in hUi own life and eonversatioAi
Agreeable to the Apostie's charge to Timothy, he was an ' example of the^bellevers hi
word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in fkith, in purity.'
** Ue was remarkably humane and benevolent b hUi disposition, and possessed evSrr
personal grace and quaUflcatioD that could attract the esteem and reverence of hhi
fellow creatures. In domestic or social life, his character shines with peculiar lustre.
He was a kind, aflkble and tender busband; a prudent, cautious and hidulgent
parent; a generous and compassionate master: and a fkithful, aflbcttonate and steai^
friend. His appearance in company was manlv and gracefhl; his behaviour genteel,
not ceremonious ; grave, yet pleasant : and solid, but sprightiy too. In a word, he waa
an open, conversable, and entertaining companion, a polite gentieman, and devout
Chriwan at onoe."
•duoation. He also beeaae Pastor of tiMPftsbyterlanOhnnh on thai Istaad. Jnst bsfbie Ow
Iriacd was oeoupled by tiie British, dvliig the Bovolutfon, he rstamsdwitli his huSlj le
Ohailistoii, where he ded of eonsamBtlon hi 1781 or 1788.
246 PBESBTTERIAH.
DAVID EICE *
1762—1816.
Dayid Bios was born in Hanover Oonntj, Ya., December 20, 1788.
Hia grandfather, Thomas Bice, who was an Englishman, but of Welsh
extraction, migrated to Yirginin at an early period. Haying had a consider-
able estate left to him in England, he crossed the ocean with a view to
receiTc it, bat never returned ; and it was supposed that he was assassinated
on board the ship on which he took passage. He left in Virginia a widow
with a large family of children, one of whom, Damdf was the father of the
sabject of this notice. He was a plain farmer, and both he and his wife
were members of the Established Church. They would never hold slaves ;
he, because he considered' it unprofitable ; she, because she considered it
morally wrong.
Their son, Davids had religious impressions from a very early period,
which never left him until he was hopefully the subject of a genume conver-
sion. He lived in a congregation which was under the pastoral care of 4he
Kev. John Todd, and was occasionally, especially at Oommunion seasons,
served by that eminent man, the Bev. Samuel Davies; and it was by the
ministrations of the latter particularly, that he believed himself to have been
savingly benefitted. He began his classical studies under Mr. Todd, and
continued them under the Bev. James Waddd, D. D. ** It seems proba-
ble, however," says the Bev. Dr. Arohibald Alexander, who had the best
means of forming a judgment oii the subject, ** that James Waddd was the
^eaoher of the school kept at Mr. Todd's ; and that the fiM)ts are that Mr.
Bice began his studies before Mr. Waddd arrived, and completed his pre-
paratory course under this teacher at the house of the Bev. John Todd;
for it is believed that Mr. Waddd never taught a sdiool any where else in
Virginia, until long after Mr. Bice was graduated and licensed."
lb. Davies having been appointed President of New Jersey OoUege, Mr.
Bice accompanied him thither in 1769, and became a member of the Junior
dass. Having taken the degree of Bachdor of Arts in 1761, he returned
to Virginia, and studied Theology under the Bev. John Todd, and was
licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Hanover, in November, 1762.
The first field of his evangdical labours was in the Southern part of Vir-
ipniA and the Northern part of North Oarolina. After labouring here, not
without some evidence of success, for about six months, he visited Pennsyl-
vania, where, agreeably to a previous engagement, he married Mary, daugh-
ter of the Bev. Samud Blair. Thence he returned to Virginia, with the
purpose of settling in North Oarolina ; but stopping at Hanover, then vacant
by the removal of Mr. Davies, he recdved a call to settle there, and, hav-
ing accepted it, was ordained and installed in December, 1768, at the age
of thirty.
Here he laboured four or five years with considerable success, though his
own impression was that his ministry accomplished more for the blacks than
the whites. But an old dispute between two of the principal dders, which
• Memoir bgr Dr. Biahop.— Footo'i Sketohet, ofy*. II.— IhkTldMm's Hift. PNib. Oh. Xj.-
MB8. from hii nUaArm and B«t. Dr. Ai^ilwld Alumndmr.
DAVID BIOX. 247
originated in the time of Mr. Danes, haying been reyiyed, — in consequenoe
of whicli ihe eongregation were likely to be embarrassed in respect to hb
sapport, he obUuned from the Presbytery a dissolution of his pastoral rela-
tion. He hated contention, was subject to depression of spirits, and was
often fearful of the worst ; and this probably had much to do with his
determination to seek another field of labour. The separation from his
charge was a painful eyent both to him and to them ; for they were mutually
and warmly attached.
After giying up his charge, Mr. Rice remained, for two or three years,
unsettled, though he was, during this period, employed in his Master's work,
as opportunity offered. At length he determined to fix himself in Bedford
County, Ya., — ^a new and frontier settlemeht, in a mountainous region, with
a population drawn from yarions parts of the world, and representing nearly
all religious denominations. Here he took charge of three congregations ;
one of which was fiye, another eleyen, and another twenty-fiye, miles from
his dwelling. The last mentioned was called " the Peaks," as being near
the Peaks of Otter. Here his labours were greatly blessed : without any
extraordinary excitement, there was a liyely and healthful state of religious
feeling, and an earnest attention to the preaching of the word, which lasted,
without any perceptible decline, for ten years. All classes and denomba-
tions were fond of attending his ministry. In due time, this congregation
became suffioientiy numerous to require all his labours, and, accordingly, he
gaye up the others and confined his attention to this. His ministry here
was during the war of the Beyolution, when many other congregations were
scattered and separated from their pastors. It was much to tiie praise of the
people that, during this disastrous period, they fulfilled their pecuniary
engagements to him with punctuality.
When Kentucky was opened for settlement, Mr. Bice paid an early yisit
to that country, thinkbg it possible, as he had a rising fiimily, that it might
be his duty to remoye thither, with reference to the more adyantageous set-
tiement of his cluldren. His impression at first was adyerse to a remoyal,
and he returned to Virginia, resolyed not to attempt it. In consequence,
howeyer, of some change of circumstances, particularly of his reoeiring a
requ^t, signed by some three hundred persons, to come and take charge of
a religious Society in that region, he changed his purpose, and determined
to cast in his lot with the new settiers of the West. He, accordingly,
migrated thither in October. 1788.
The difficulties which he had to encounter, as a mbister of the Gospel
in this new country, were many and formidable. He took no special charge
the first year ; but, at the commencement of the second, a congregation was
organised in what is now called Mercer County, with as much formality as
circumstances would admit. They had three places of worship, which were
known by the names of Danyille, Oane-Bun, and the Forks of Dick's
Biyer.
In this extensiye field Mr. Bice laboured statedly and assiduously for
fifteen years. He was now sixty-fiye years of age, and was troubled with
an affection of the head, which incapacitated him for close and continuous
thought, and subjected him to an almost habitual melancholy. He was also
not a little tried by pecuniary embarrassments. He had purchased land,
on the faith of his congregation guaranteeing the payment, which, howeyer,
was BO long deferred, if not entirely forgotten, that the good man and his
248 PBSSBYTSKIAJr.
fiunily would have been actually reduoed to want, had it Hot been for the
seasonable and kindly interposition of a benevolent individual in the n«^-
bourhood.
Under these circamstanoes, in 1708, he removed to Green Ooonty, then a
new settlement in the Southern part of Kentucky. He did not, however,
take a pastoral charge, or attend much on Church courts, though he preached
frequently, in the way of assisting his brethren, and of supplying vacant
congregations. In 1805 and 1806, he performed an extensive missionary
tour through Kentucky and Ohio, by appointment of the Qenersl Assembly,
with a view to ascertain particularly the religious condition of the country.
After his return, he addressed an Epistle to the Presbyterians of Kentuckyi
published the same ye^^r, aad afterwards, in 1808, a Second Epistle, warn-
ing them with great fidelity and solemnity a^flinst what he believed to be tiie
prevailing errors of the times.
During the last three years of his life, he was prevented from preaching
and writing almost entirely. He had no complaints except what arose from
the regular decay of nature, till the beginning of the yes:r 181j5, when he
had a slight apoplectic stroke, from the effects of which he neter recovered.
On the day that completed his eightieth year, he preached, at his own house,
his last sermon on Psalm xc. 12 : ** So teach us to number our days that we
may apply our hearts unto wisdom." After this, he made no more appoint^
ments, except on the occasion of hearing of the death of his son. Dr. David
Bice of Virginia, when he made a solemn address to his neighbours assem-
bled at his dwelling. About the first of February preceding his death, he
was seised with a difficulty of breathing, which he received as an admoni-
tion that his end was near. Early in the succeeding May, he was attacked
with something like influensa, accompanied with fever and pain ; and from
this time till the close of his life, he had scarcely a momentary reepite from
bodily suffering. Bqt he had the utmost tranquillity of mind, in the pros-
pect of his departure, and his last expressions indicated an impatience to be
absent from the body, that he might be present with the Lord. • He died on
the 18th of June, 1816, in the eighty-third year of his age. His excellent
wife died a few years before him. They had eleven children, — six sons and
five daughters. One of the daughters was married to the Bev. James
Hitchel, and still (1857) survives, at the advanced age of more than
ninety.
Mr. Bice was always the friend of libersl learning, and in more instances
than one exerted himself in founding Seminaries. While in Yirgbia, he
took an active part in the establishment of Hampden Sidney OoUege, and
had an important agency in obtaining the first two Presidents, — ^the Bev.
Samuel Stanhope Smith, and the Bev. John Blair Smith. He was one of
the first Trustees of the Transylvania University, and President of the
Board from 1788 to 1787. The first Orammar School in Kentucky was
opened in his house, in Lincoln County, in November, 1^84.
The following is a list of Mr. Bice's publications : —
An Essay on Baptism, 1789. [This was probably the first pamphlet
originating in Kentucky. It was printed in JSaltimore.] A Lecture on
Divine Decrees, 1791. Slavery inconsistent with justice and policy, 1792.
A Sermon at the opening of the Synod of Kentucky, 1808. An Epistle to
the Oitiiens of Kentucky, professing Christianity, especially those that are
er have been denominated Presbyterians, 1806. A second Epistle, Ac,
DAVID RIGB. 249
1808. Letters on the Evidences, Nature, and Effects, of Obristianity —
composed for the nse of his sons in 1812, in the seyenty-ninth year of his
age, and published in the Weekly Becorder for 1814.
FROM THE RET. THOMAS OLELAITD, D. D.
Salyisa, Ky., March 20, 1862.
Dear Sir: I regret that my adyanoed age does not allow me to do all that I
could wish in answer to your request; for, as David says, — " My s^ngth fail-
eth," both intellectual and physical; and yet I cannot refuse to give you, in the
most general manner, my impressions concerning the venerable man in respect to
whom you inquire. . I had once a pretty good opportunity of knowing him, how-
ever little ability I now have of communicating the result of my observations.
Father Rice (for this is the appellation by which he is generally known) could
hardly be considered as possessing talents of a very commanding order, though
they were certainly highly respectable, and eminently adapted to usefolness.
EQs distinguishing characteristic was sound judgment, and his disposition was
conservative. He was remarkable for both the spirit and the habit of devo-
tion. Ton could not be long in his company, without being deeply impressed
with the idea that his affections had a strong tendency toward Heaven. In his
general intercourse with society he was dignified and grave, — ^perhaps above
most ministers of his day; insomuch that young people generally felt little free-
dom in his presence; but it was a characteristic of that period that ministers
usually carried themselves with more reserve, and were less accessible to all
classes, and on all occasions, than they are now. He did, however, occasionally,
unbend in familiar intercourse, and would, now and then, enliven conversation
with an agreeable anecdote. He was a deeply earnest and effective preacher,
delivering solemn and impressive thoughts in a solemn and impressive manner;
and yet the effect of his manner was somewhat diminished by his occasionally
taking on a sympathetic tone, which, to many of his hearers, seemed like a
departure from the simplidty of nature. He had great executive powers, and he
exerted them, in various ways, for the general improvement of the community
in which he lived. He was not only eminently faithful in his stated ministra-
tions, but acted the part of a father to the infant churches of Kentucky, besides
devoting some share of his attention to literature and even politics.
Mr. Rice was tall and slender in person, quiet in his movements, and even at
the age of seventy, he exhibited a remarkable degree of alertness. At that
advanced period, I may safely say that no minister in Kentucky filled a wider
space than he did. He was not like the eccentric comet, with its long fiery tail,
which attracts the gaze and awakens the speculations of beholders for a few days
and then disappears, but as the glorious sun, which, by its regular and constant
influences, enriches our fields, illumines our horizon, and gladdens our hearts.
Affectionately yours,
THOMAS CLELAHD.
Vol. Ill
250 PKESBTTERIAK.
ALEXANDER HEWAT* D. D.
1768—1776.
FBOM THE BEY. THOMAS SMYTH, D. B.
CHASLBnoir, S. C, May 22, 1867.
Uy dear Sir : Yoiir patient and patriotic labours, though most timely
and even early, are neyertheless too late, as it regards many of the fathers,
the fonnders of onr Ohnrch. Many of these were men of note in their
native land, thoro'taghly instmoted in all the learning of the age, endued witfi
heayenly gifts, and capable of occupying, as burning and shining lights, the
most prominent positions. They left home, and country, and prospects,
and not unfrequently positions of eminence, in the spirit of true missionary,
self-sacrificing seaL They were willing for a season to be obscure and
unknown; having their record on high, and leaving their names written
upon the fleshly tables of hearts regenerated and saved through their instru-
mentality, and in the book of God's remembrance. They sleep in our silent
grave yards, around the sanctuaries erected for them in the wUdemess, now
often deserted for more convenient locations, and left to mouldering decay.
In some cases, not even a stone marks the spot of burial — more frequentiy,
where a rude stone, procured with difficulty, stands as a monument of the
veneration of their bereaved flocks, no carved line teUs the story of their
lives. Livbg in tents or log cabins, and amid the daily vicissitudes of
frontier life and Indian treachery, they had but littie opportunity for study,
and no inducements to write or publish.
As the winds that still breathe their soft requiem through the pine groves
of the forest, collect the scattered leaves in some quiet eddy, there to slum-
ber in decay, so will there be sometimes found garnered in the silent cham-
bers of home, heart, public document, or private letter, fading memories of
these forgotten worthies, waking up, like the echo of a &r off trumpet heard
amid the vallies qf a range of hills, the tenderest emotions of the soul.
To tiiese I love to Usten, and these forest nooks I delight to visit. They
are fruitful of suggestion, and pregnant with the most healthful and hopeful
lessons. They link the past to the present, and the present to the future.
They give reiJity to tiie unity of the Church in all ages. They enrol us
among the glorious procession of the servants of Qod who have preceded us,
and as they sowed the good seed, watered it with tears and prayers, and
cultivated it with the most assiduous toil, and we have entered into their
labours, so are we, while reaping their harvest, preparing the crop for a
future in-gathering.
Surely, if every adventurous attempt to trace up the Nile to its source,
and to fikthom tiie depths of the African desert, is commendable, much
more should every endeavour to glean the scattered leaves of traditionary
history, and to interpret the soft, dying echoes of its distant events, be wel-
come to every Christian heart. You will, I hope, be encouraged in your
artistic efforts to reproduce to the present and ftiture generations the por-
traits of many of those prophets of ^e Lord, who, as the voice of one crying
in the wilderness, have prepared the way for tiiis glorious day of our coun-
try's progress in politiMl and Christian civiliiation, and who, being dead.
ALSXAKBEB HEWAT . 251
Bball thus continue to speak to ii8» and to look down enoonragingly upon
those who are bearing the Inirden and heat of the day.
Among the numeroos names that dignify the early history of the Presby-
terian Ghnroh in Sonth Carolina, is that of its distinguished Historian,
Alexander Hewat, who was bom and educated in Scotland, and who, after
occupying for many years the pastoral relation to the First — or as it is often
called the Scotch — Presbyterian Church in the city of Charleston, returned
to Great Britain, — ^for what causes is unknown, and most probably liyed
and laboured in London until his decease.
All that can be at present known concerning him from sources on this
side the Atlantic, is contained in the following extract of a letter from
my honourable friend, Ifitchell King, a ruling elder in that church, and one
of the oldest livitig residents in Charleston. His reminiscences and papers
^rill constitute a yery interesting and important chapter in the early history
of our Church in this State. Judge King writes as follows : —
** The BcT. Dr. Alsxanbib Hxwat, the first Historian of South Caro-
lina, was, it is belicTcd, a native of Scotland. He receiyed, as he tells us, (Ser*
mens 1 yoL 886,) his grammatical education at Kelso. The first Presbyte-
rian Church in Charleston, from the time of the Bey. Archibald Stobo, — a
suryiyor of the ministers who accompanied the Scottish adyenturers to the
unfortunate Colony of New Caledonia, had usually been supplied with pas-
tors from Scotland. Up to the time of the arriyid of Stobo in Charleston,
in 1700, the Presbyterians and Congregationalists had worshipped together.
But within a few years after, they occupied different buildings, and adhered
to the organisation of their respectiye churches. The early Becords of the
First Presbyterian Church here — ^usually called, both before and since the
Beyolution, the Scotch Church — ^haye not been carefrdly preseryed, and
only a few rather disconnected but authentic and premous relics of them
remain. When the church required a minister, the congregation usually
remitted funds to some friends in Scotland, to defray expenses, and solicited
some distinguished gentlemen there to select and send an eligible pas-
tor to them. This was, no doubt, done in the case of Dr. Hewat ; as
was afterwards done in the case of Buist. The Becords of the Church
in Dr. Hewat's own handwriting show that, on the 20th of March,
1768, he prctsided as Moderator at a meeting of the Session ; and in the
Becord of the members of the St. Andrews' Society. of Charleston,
admitted in that year, his name is at the head of the list. ' From the day
that he arriyed in Charleston, until he finally left it, he continued deyoted
to his pastoral duties. The day on which he sailed, on his return to Europe,
ha0 not been ascertained. It appears from entries in the Becords of the
Church that he presided as Moderator at a meeting of the Session on the
22d of Noyember, 1778, and again on the 28d of May, 1774. And
on the 9th of May, 1776, it is recorded that the Bey. James Latta
was married to Sarah Wilson — ^by yirtue of a license from his Honour the
Lieutenant Goyemor, (then the Honourable William Bull,) directed to the
Bey. Alexander Hewat. So that no reasonable doubt can exist that on the
9th of Hay, 1776, he was still in Charleston. Indeed it is highly probable
that he remained until some time in 1776 ; for. in his History, (2d yol. 299,)
he sUtea that the Capital of the South Carolina Society, m that year, **had
arisen to a sum not less than £68,787 10s. 8d. ;" and it is yery unlikely
that, after he left the country, he had the opportunity or the inclination to
252 FBBSBTTBBIAJr.
obtain nvtdk minnie inlbniiatioii.< A feradiiioii wis prevBlent fifty yoan ago
among the senior memben of his ohurdi— whioh is well reooUeoted by some
who are now seniors— -that he was intimate in the fiunily of .GoTemor Bnll,
and was essentially aided by hun in ooUeoting the materials from which he
wrote his History. It is belieyed that the near prospect of a war between
the Oolonies and the Mother oonntry, induced him to leave South Oaroli&a.
His History appeared in London in 1779* His attachment to those who
had been his flock in Carolina continued, and was cordially returned by
them. The yenerable Dr. Bobert Wilson and Bobert Bowand, who had
been members of his Session from the time of his arrival, were spared to
the Church for ^t least the first decade of the present century, and when
the Congregation, in 1792, sent to Scotland for a pastor, Dr. Hewat was
associated with the Bev. Doctors Bobertson and Blair in the important
commission. His absence from Edinburgh alone prevented him from joining
in its execution. From this time until the 28th of September, 1820, we have
little information of Dr. Hewat on which we can confidently rely, except
what may be gleaned from his Sermons in two volumes, published in
London in 1808-1806. He was married to a widow lady of Carolina, (Mrs.
Burksdale,) who had visited Europe for the benefit of the health of two of
her children.
" He certainly continued to correspond with some of his old friends. A
copy of his Sermons sent to one of them, accompanied by a friendly letter, is
now before the writer. But the firiend to whom they were sent, has long since
paid the debt of nature, and the letter is among the things that were. The
Doctor is believed to have had a pastoral charge in or near London, and to
have spent the latter part of his life principally in or near that city. On
the 28th of September, 1820, from the Carolina Coffee House, Birchen
Lane, Oomhill — ^a resort formerly well known to all gentlemen of Carolina
who visited London, he addressed a letter to Mr. Oeoige Edwards, Charles-
ton, S. C, and transmitted to him some memorials likely to interest him.
That letter, by the kindness of a friend, has been presented to the Charles-
ton Library Society, and is now preserved among their literary treasures.
It is a touching proof of his affectionate memories, and closes in a manner
worthy of a Christian minister — ** Farewell, Ood bless you and all Friends
in Carolina;*' and that spirit animated him to the last. He is believed to
have died in London in 1828, or early in 1820, and in his will he remem-
bers the people of his Church in Charleston, and leaves them a legacy of
£60 sterling, wluch, after the deduction of the English legacy duty, was,
on the 4th of October, 1820, received by the Treasurer of the Church.
An absence of more than fifty years had not chilled his affection for them,
or effitced his relations to them from his memory. In his History of South
Carolina, how unpretonding soever it may be, he has erected a monument to
himself that time will not destroy. May we not hope that the seeds of
virtue and piety which in twelve years of faithful and acceptable ministry
he planted among us, may, in obedience to the decrees of an overruling
Providence, be yet producing good fruit, and lead to joyful recognitions
between him and his Charleston friends in another and a better world.
The name of Dr. Alexander Hewat, or rather his surname Hewai^ is an
instanice, to a very limited degree, of the differences that often occur in the
spelling of proper names. No doubt can exist of the way in which he spelled
Ui name, ffis entries by his own hand in the Becord 6f the Pteibyierilul
ALSXAimER HBWAT. 253
Gharcli of Ohurleston, Iu8 letter to Mr. Edwards, and the title pages of his
published Sermons, leave no doubt that his uniform orthography was Hewau
It is so always given by the Historian, Br. David Bamsay, who probably
knew him well. Tet Mr. B. B. Oarroll, in his valuable work — ^Historiod
Collections of South Carolina — always spells the name Hewits and Watt,
in that most laborious work, — Bibliotheoa Britannica, gives us Hewatt as the
author of the Sermons — Heioit as the author of the History. The mistako
has probably arisen from the fact that the name of the author of the His-
tory was not given with it in 1779. There is not the least doubt that Dr.
Alexander Hewat was the author of both the History and the Sermons.
The name of He^>at is not unknown in the early history of the Protest-
ant Church of Scotland. In 1508, Mr. Peter Hewat, the precise orthog-
raphy of our Hewat, was one of the ministers of the Presbyterian Church
in Edinburgh. His name appears repeatedly in the 6th, 6th, and 7th vol-
umes of Cf^derwood's History of the Kirk of Scotland, edited by the
Wodrow Society, 1842, 1849. In July, 1617, he was tried at St. Andrews
before James the Firsts — himself President of the Ecclesiastical Court,
and condemned for opposing the Boyal proclamation intended to impose
Episcopacy upon Scotland. He was deprived, — (that is, deposed from hb
preferment,) and imprisoned in Dundee. Our Alexander Hewat may have
been a descendant or kinsman of this Peter Hewat, as our Bev. Dr. John
Forrest, now the Pastor of the Church once occupied by Dr. Alexander
Hewat, is, I believe a descendant or kinsman of Thomas Forrest, Vicar of
Dolor (Dollar,) who in February 1588-9 paid the penalty of martyrdom
on the Castle Hill of Edinburgh for disobedience to what he believed to be
the anti-ohristian commands of his ecclesiastical superiors. In 1617,
James was urging Episcopacy on the good people of Scotland, and exercis-
ing that unhaUowed authority which brought his son, the First Charles, to
the scaffold, and in 1688 drove the second James and the legal heirs of
the incorrigible and doomed race of Stuarts forever from the throne.
'* It may be proper to remark that the surname of Peter Hewat in Cal-
derwood, is occasionally spelled Ewart^ but beyond doubt they belonged to
the same man, and Hewat was the true common &mily namo."
Judge King adds the following as a postscript to the letter of which the
above is an extract : —
** Since writing the above, it has occurred to me to endeavour to verify
the date of the arrival of Dr. Hewat in Carolina, by referring to some files
of old newspapers which we have in the Charleston Library. I had so
ascertained the time as to make an investigation for an indefinite period
unnecessary. After spending nearly two weary hours in turning over the
dusty numbers of the South Carolina Oasette for 1762-8-4, 1 discovered
in a rather obscure place of the Oasette of the 5th and 12th of November,
1768, a notice of the arrival, in the course of the week, of the Bev. Mr.
Hewitt for the Scots meeting. There can be no doubt that this is our Mr.
Hewat. I know not how to reconcile this date with that of the 20th of
March, 1768, in our old Church Becords, which I still believe to be in his
hand-writing. The entry of his name on the Boll of the St. Andrew's
Society might very well have been made on the 80th of November, 1768.
For he would in all probability join the Society at the next meetmg after
his arrival, on the day of the Patron Saint. The Pastor of the Scotch
Church has generally^ it npt always, be^ the Chaplain of -the Society.-' •
254 PRBSBTTEBIAir.
I haye little doubt tliat yon have in the abere extnot, erery thing coii!-
oerning Dr. Hewat, that can now be reoorered. .
I remain very affeotionately,
Yours fai the Lord,
THOMAS SICTTH.
JOHN ROSBRUGH *
1768—1777.
John Bobbbuoh was borv in Ireland in the year 1717; though his
father's &mily had preyiously migrated thither from Scotland. He came
to this country accompanied by a brother and sister in the year 1786. He
was married early, and within less than a year lost his wife, who left an
infant that survived her but a short time. This distressmg bereavement
was the means of awakemng him to serious reflection, and cf leading him
to enter upon a reli^ous life. He began npw, though he was quite
advanced in years, to turn his thoughts towards the Gospel ministry. He
had already learned a trade ; but had been so well educated in all the
elementary branches, that he was capable of teachiDg a school ; and it was
by this pieans chiefly that he was enabled to prepare himself for College.
He was graduated at the Oollege of New Jersey in 1761, having, duriug his
ooUegiate course, received aid from the fund for pious students collected by
Tennent and Davies.
He studied Theology under the direction of the Bev. John Blair, then
of Fagg's Manor. He was taken on trials by the New Brunswick Presby-
tery on the 22d of May, 1762, and was licensed to preach on the 18th of
August, 1768. His first field of labour was in what is now Warren Oounty,
N. J.; and in October, 1764, he was called to Mansfield, Greenwich, and
Oxford. He was ordained at Ghreenwich, December 11, 1764; was dis-
missed from the three congregations, April 18, 1769 ; and on the same day
was called to the Eorks of Delaware— Brainerd's "Irish settlement."
[Forks West is now Allentown ; Forks North is Mount Bethel.] The Synod
transferred the Oongregadons in the Forks to the New Brunswick Presby-
tery, and he was instaUed as their pastor on the 28th of October, 1772.
Here he remained during the rest of his life. He was married about 1766
to Jeian, daughter of James Balston, an elder in the Allentown Ohurch.
By this marriage he had five children.
Mr. Boebrugh was a warm friend to his country's liberties, and finally
fell a martyr to his patriotism. When Washington, with his dispirited and
broken forces, retreated through New Jersey, before the superior army of
the British, this excellent minister and devoted patriot joined mUk some
of his neighbours of a like spirit, in forming a military company ; and when
they marched, he left his fkmily and fiock, and marched with them, in the
capacity of a private soldier, and, like the rest, bearing his own musket.
At Pli^adelphia he received the commission of a OhapLdn to the regiment
•NotioM in the PraibTtnlaa by Rev. AnUIwU Alexnder, D. D.— MBS. firom Mr. Bm-
1ifiigh*s Ui fuoSkf, Bif . Smith StargM, sad B«t. Bkhwd Wetettr.
JOHN BOSBBUGH. 255
to whioK ihese troops were attached. They joined the Amerioan army
when retreating, and were in the rear of the army when sereral skir-
misheB took place with the adTanoed gnarda of the British. Mr. Boabrogh
proceeded with his company to Trenton ; and, as he was going towards
the river in search of his horse, he was met by a company of Hessians
nnder British command. He immediately gave himself np as a prisoner,
but begged, for the sake of his dear wife and children, that Uiey would spare
his life. He qniokly found, however, that his request was to be denied, and
thai the bloody deed was to be performed without delay. He instantly
knelt down, and, in imitation of his blessed Master, prayed for the forgive-
ness of his murderers. And scarcely had this prayer passed from his lips,
before a deadly weapon pierced his body, and he lay struggling in desih.
They then took his watch, and part of Ids clothing, and left him weltering
in Us blood. The wretched creature who had committed the act, or had
had a principal part in it, went, immediately after, with the fury of a mad-
man, into one of the hotels in Trenton, and profiuiely boasted to the woman
who kept it, that he had killed a rebel minister, and showed her his watch ;
but.he added that it was too bad that he should have been praying for them
while they were murdering him. "Oh," said she, '* you have made bad
work for his poor fiumly." He answered with a frightful curse — '* If you
say another word, I will run you through." He ^en took up his sword
and ran off, like a distracted person, and reported what he had done, to
some of the British officers, who, it was said, justified and applauded the
deed. Meanwhile a young man by the name of John Hayes, of Mr. Ros-
brugh's congregation, took charge of the corpse, and buried it the next day
in an obscure place in Trenton. The Bev. George Duffield of Philadelphia,
having heard of the sad event, took measures to have the body removed to
the church yard for its final interment. His widow, who had been informed
of what had happened, by her brother, James Balston, — ^then a member of
the Prorincial Congress, immediately came on, and saw the corpse of her
husband ; but the frioe was so mangled, and in every respect changed, that
ahe found it difficult to recognise it. It was reported, at the time, that his
murderers suspected, when they killed him, that it was OaldweU, whose
glowing patriotism and commanding influence had rendered him specially
obnoxious to the enemies of his country. His death took place in the early
part of January, 1777. There is no monument to mark the place of his
grave; nor is it possible in any way to identify it. The tradition is that
Mr. Bosbrugh was ** an able and eloquent preacher, though a defect in speech
caused him sometimes to stammer.*'
FBOM MBS. LETTIGE BALSTOK.
Dahivxuui, N . Y., December 28, 1860.
Bev. and dear Sir: It is but little that I can tell you of my revered fiither,
from my own personal knowledge, as he died when I was only eight years old.
But I have still some cherished recollections of him, which I am quite willing to
communicate to you. The scene which imprinted itself more deeply upon my
memory and my heart than any other in my earlier, and perhaps I may say my
later, years, was his taking leave of his fiimily, when he was going on that last
iktal expedition. It almost broke my heart to witness his parting with my
mother. She threw her arms about his neck, and dung to him with such affec-
tionate tenadfy, that his own fortitude tctoaUy gave way, and he was obliged,
256 PKESBTTERIAir.
by an almost Tiolent effort, to disengage himself, and hurry oat of the house.
I saw him for the last time when he mounted his horse, and rode away to meet
his company. It was only about two weeks before the astounding news of his
death came back to us; and you can imagine what a dark day that was for his
family. Our house was immediately filled with our neighbours and ftiends, who
came to condole with us; and indeed the whole congregation seemed like a con-
gregation of mourners. It is not easy to conceire of expressions of stronger
attachment to a pastor, or of deeper sympathy with surviying relatiyes, than
were witnessed on that occasion.
My mother told me that he had said that it had been impressed upon his mind
for more than a year that he had but a short time to live: still he was the yery
picture of health, and she used to tell him that the way to get rid of such forebod-
ings was to look in the glass. He was eyidently , in the prospect of leaying home,
not without serious apprehensions that he should neyer return. He wrote his
will the night before he left us,— of which the following is an extract: — " Haying
reoeiyed many and singular blessings from Almighty God in this land of my
pilgrimage; more especially a loying and a faithful wiib, and fiye promising
children, I do leaye and bequeath them all to the protection, mercy, and grace of
God, from whom I receiyed them. Being encouraged thereunto by God's gra-
dous direction, and faithful promise — Jeremiah zlix. 11. — ** Leaye thy fiithefless
children, I will preserye them aliye, and let thy widows trust in me."
After leaying home, my father wrote three letters to my mother, all of which
breathe a spirit of glowing patriotism, as well as conjugal tenderness, and feryent
piety. The last letter, which is dated December 27, 1776, is as follows: —
" My dear: I am still yours. I haye but a minute to tell you that the com-
pany are all well. We are going oyer to attack the enemy. Tou would think it
strange to see your husband, an old man, riding with a French fusee slung at his
back. Thi9 may b$ thi last you 9haU ever reenve firom your huaband. I haye
oommitted myself, you, and the dear pledges of our mutual loye, to God. As I
am out of doors, I can write no more. I send my compliments to you, my dear,
and to the children. Friends, pray for us. I am your loying husband."
In regard to my other's personal appearance, if I may trust either my own
memory, or the testimony of many of his contemporaries, I may say that he was
somewhat aboyo the middle size, and altogether a portly, noble, fine looking
man. His natural disposition was cheerfhl and liyely, and he greatly enjoyed
social life. As a preacher, I feel myself incompetent to speak of him any further
than to say that he neyer read his sermons in the pulpit, and so fiur as I know,
nerer wrote but one fiilly. He usually preached from short notes, many of
which, together with the one finished discourse, are still in existence. I haye
always understood that he was greatly beloyed by the people of his seyeral con-
gregations. A good old man,-^an elder in the church in Allentown, has often
told me how carefiil my fiither was to attend to all his pastoral duties. , If any
among his fiook were sick, the physician was not more attentiye than he; and if
he saw any root of bitterness springing up among his people, he would not rest
until the eyil was effectually remoyed. From the statements rectiyed from him
and others, I infer that there was perhaps nothing for which mf fiither was more
distinguished than his loye of peace, and his eyer yigilant and untiring efforts to
promote it.
I cannot forbear to say a word of my dear sainted mother. From the time
that she became a widow, she had but a feeble and broken constitution; but she
was eminently fitithful in the diachaige of parental duty, carefully instructing
and counselling her children, and endeayouring to imbue their minds with the
knowledge and fear of God. She regularly maintained family worship, night
and moroing, by reading the Scriptures, sing^g, and prayer. I shaU neyer Ibr-
get the fenroiKt prayer she ofieied the morning I left home to come to this Stfit^,
JOHH ROSBBUOH. £67
that if WB uhxnaXd nerer meet agtin on earthy we Dujglit meet where there will
be no peinAil aepurfttions. To mj great Ices, bat to her unspeakable gain, she
died the following spring. She was one of the best of wives and mothers.
Affectionately and truly,
LETTIGB RALSTON.
PATRICK ALLISON, D. D.
1768—1802.
FBOM BOBEBT PUBYIABCB, ESQ.
BAuntou, 6th June, 1860
Dear Sir: Tonr letter, requesting some biographioal notioes, in eonnec-
tion with my personal reoolleotions, of the Bey. Pr. Allison, formerly of this
oity, has been duly reoelTed; and I am the more willing to comply with
your request from the fact that nearly all his contemporaries are gone, and
if I were to decline, I should scarcely know to whom to refer you for the
accomplishment of your wish. Indeed I acknowledge it is no unpleasant
task to mc/to aid, in any degree, in perpetuating the memory of that yen-
erable and eminent man. I was taught, from my childhood, to regard him
with affection and reyerenoe, and my earliest and best impressions were
receiyed under his ministrations.
Patrick Allison was bom in Lancaster County, Pa., in the year
1740. His fitther was a respectable farmer of that county, and was, I
belieye, a natiye of Ireland. He had seyeral sons, and one or two daugh*
ters. As the sons grew up, his fortune not being sufficiently large to giye
to each a liberal education, and to leaye an adequate portion besides, he
proposed to them to commute what he intended to giye them, for an educ^
lion, which they were to consider as a discharge from any further claim on his
estate. Patrick was the only ono who accepted the commutation ; and this
became his only patrimony. He was, accordingly, by his own choice, sent
to the Uniyersity of PennsyWania, at which, haying yery honourably sus-
tained himself, he was graduated in 1760. He commenced his theological
studies shortly after he left the Uniyersity; but in 1761, was appointed
Professor in the Academy at Newark, De., which office he accepted. He
was licensed to preach, by the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, in March,
1768. In August of that year, a few Presbyterians from Pennsylyania,
who had, the year before, erected a log ohuxtsh in Baltimore, then con-
taining between thirty and forty houses, and some three hundred inhabit-
ants, sent a request to the Presbytery of Philadelphia that Mr. Allison,-
who had preriously preached to them, might be appointed to supply their
pulpit, on a salary of one hundred pounds per annum. He was, at this-
time, connected with the Newark Academy, at which seyeral young gentle-
men from Baltimore were pursuing their studies; and I rather think they-
were instrumental in directing the attention of the in&nt eongregation*
towards him. Mr. Allison expressing his willingness to go, although he
had a call to a lai^er church in Newcastle, De., — the Presbytery oomplied'
with the request. He was ordained in Philadelphia, by the same Presby-
tery that licensed him, in 1765, but does not appear to haye h^teia tjw
Vol 111. 33
258 PBESBTTEBIAK.
installed in Baltimore, thoagh lie was always regarded, as the pastor, dnring
the long period that he isontinaed to serve the congregation. He officiated
at first, for some time, in a small edifice, to not more, it is supposed, than
9ix families. In a few years, the nnmber had so far increased as to require
the erection of a new place of worship ; to which, not long after, an addi-
tion was made to accommodate the inflnz of worshippers ; and subsequently
that was pulled down, and the present edifice erected, — one of the most
expensive and elegant structures of that day.
Mr. Allison received the degree of Doctor of Divinity firom the Univer^
sity of Pennsylvania in 1782.
Dr. Allison was married in March, 1787, to Wellary, daughter of William
Buchanan, a gentleman who distinguished himself by his civil services
dnring the war of the Revolution. She survived him about twenty years.
He left an only child, — a daughter, who intermarried with Mr. Qeorge I.
Brown, and died in 1849, leaving six children, the eldest of whom is quite
eminent as a lawyer at our Bar.
The division which occurred in the Presbyterian Church into Old and New
Side, had been healed a few years before he entered the ministry: his
sympathies, however, on the controverted points, were strongly with the Old
Side ; and it is probable that this circumstance may have given, to some
extent, the hue to his public character.
During the Revolutionary war. Dr. Allison felt that the great question at
issue affected the interests of religion, as truly as any other interests which
claimed the protection of society. He never concealed his own patriotic
spirit, and lost no proper occanon to stimulate his countrymen to an unyield*
ing resistance to the oppressions to which they were subjected. In the
winter of 1776, Congress was removed to Baltimore ; and this furnished
him with many opportunities of exhibiting his warm devotion to his conn*
try. He became so popular with a large portion of the members, that he
was often the object of their kind inquiries, after the removal of the body
to another place. He was intimately acquainted with Gkneral Washington,
and so great was the reverence with which he regarded his character, that
the news of the Oencral's death produced such an effect upon him, that his
&mily felt a momentary apprehension in respect to the result.
Dr. Allison's connection with his church continued about thirty-five years.
A year or two after he commenced his ministiy, he received a call to become
the Pastor of a Church in Philadelphia ; but so earnest was the opposition
made by his own fiock to his acceptance of it, that he declined it almost
immedia^ly, and resolved to live and die with the people among whom Pro-
vidence had already east his lot. About two years previous to his death,
his health began to decline, and, under the conviction that he should be
inadequate to the discharge of his ministerial duties, he determined at once
to relinquish his charge. Without previous consultation with any one, he
announced this determination on a Sabbath, after preaching a sermon which
gave no token of any thing like approaching intellectual decay. I was pre-
sent when the announcement was made, and can never forget the almost
electric shock which it sent through the assembly. The congregation utterly
declined to accept his resignation, and, in compliance with their uigent
wishes, he consented to retain the pastoral relation; though they proceeded,
as soon as posrible, to proyide him with a colleague. Shortly after this, he
made a journey to one of our western watering places, and returned with
rATBIGK ALLISON. 259
his health bo mnoh improved, ihat, on the saoceeding Sand&y, he preaohed,
taking for hia text the appropriate language of the Psalmist, — ** Whj art
thoa oast down, 0 mj sonl, and why art thou disquieted within me ? Hope
then in Ood ; for I shall yet praise Him who is the health of my oonnte-
nanoe and my (}od."
Dr. Allison's disease was an affeotion of the nervous system, whioh had
been gradually developing itself for some years, before it was peroeivod to
have any material effect upon his mind. The first indication of this was
in connection with the Sermon whioh he preached on the death of Washing-
ton. By request of his congregationi he yielded a copy of it for the press ;
and it came forth, very indifferently printed, and withal marred by some
typographical errors. This circumstance, so trifling in itself, was observed
to have a very great and disproporUonate effect upon the Doctor's mind ;
and it was found impossible to account for it, without supposing some ner-
vous derangement that had not before been perceptible, but which after-
wards developed itself in the form of an incurable malady. Some few
months before his death, it was thought desirable that he should be placed
in a situation, where medical treatment could be more successfully applied
than at home ; and this was accordingly done. In three or four months, his
mind seemed to have regained nearly its accustomed tone, but his frame was
so shattered, as well by the medical treatment to whioh he had been sub-
jected, as by the long continuance of his disease, that he sunk into the grave
within two months after his return home. A short time before his death,
he expressed a wish to close his eyes himself, at that solemn moment, and
intimated, at the same time, to a lady who was kindly ministering around
his death-bed, that when he felt himself about to make the transition, he
would let her know it. Accordingly, just before the last moment came, he
gave the promised intimation to his friend ; he was assisted in raising his
hands to dose his eyes ; and the place which had known him knew him no
more. He died August 21, 1802, aged about sixty-two. Dr. Inglis paid a
suitable tribute to his memory in a Funeral Sermon from I. Thess. iv. 18^
which, some twenty years after, was published in a posthumous volume of
Dr. I.'s Discourses.
Dr. Allison's personal appearance was highly commanding and impres-
sive. He was of about the medium height, and in every way well propdr-
tioned. His manners combined grace with dignity in an uncommon degree, —
so as to invite confidence on the one hand, and to repel all undue familiarity
on the other. While there was nothing about him that savoured of osten-
tation, there was always that genume self-respect, that considerate regard
to drcumstances, that cautious forbearance to give unnecessary pain, whioh
never fail to secure to an mdividual a deferential respect from all with
whom he associates. His moral character was entirely above reproaoh.
Aooustomed of course to move in the highest circles of society, he never
forgot the sacredness of his calling, while yet he was a highly entertaining
and agreeable companion. As he was himself remarkable for propriety of
speech, he would never tolerate gross improprieties in others, — ^no matter what
might be their standing in society ; and if an expression bordering on pro-
fimeness, or even indecent levity, were uttered in hb hearing, it was very
sure to meet with a deserved rebuke. His intellectual character was univer^
sally aoknowledged to be of aVery high order. His early opportunities fiir
the ooltnre of his mind were among the best whioh the country then afforded;
260 FBESBTTERIAN.
and these, diligenilj improved, in connection with hiB fine natnral poweniy
tendered him decidedly eminent even among the greater minda of 1^ pro^
feseion. He was always a diligent stndent; and his stndies, instead of being
strictly professional, took a wide range. He was an elegant belles lettres
scholar, and was very familiar with both Ancient and Modem History. The
versification of Pope, and the chaste beanties of Addison, had great attrac-
tions for him ; and I rather think that the style of Bobertson, the Historian,
was the model on which he formed his own. His power of mental abstrac-
tion is said to have been so remarkable, that he experienced no intermption
in the composition of a sermon, by the presence and conversation of com-
pany. In the delivery of his sermons he always had his roannscript before
him ; and though his manner could not be said to be attractive to a stranger,
yet to those who were accustomed to it, it was very agreeable. His dis-
courses were generally didactic, often profoundly argumentative. I once
heard an Episcopal clergyman of some note expressmg rather a low estimate
of some of the ministers of the day, but of Dr. Allison he remarked with
emphasis, — "He was a man of matter,*^ He was especially eminent in the
judicatories of the Ohurch, and in all public bodies ; being possessed of
great penetration, the utmost self-control, and an admirable command of
thought and language the most appropriate and elegant. I remember to
have heard that Dr. Samuel Stanhope Smith, then President of Princeton
OollegCy remarked to a gentleman of our city, — ** Dr. Allison is decidedly
the ablest statesvian'WB have in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Ohurch." And the late Dr. Miller of Princeton, as perhaps you are aware,
has left behind him a similar testimony.
Dr. Allison, though he wrote but little for the press, yet sometimes
wielded a pen of prodigious power. An occasion occurred, shortly alter the
Bevolution, which led him to put forth hi^ power as a controversial writer
through the press, in defence of the great cause of equal rights among dif-
ferent denominations of Ohristians. During our Oolonial dependance, the
iSpiscopal Ohurch in this State had been the favoured Ohurch of the gov-
ernment ; but the Revolution produced an important change in this respect,
reducbg the various religious denominations, in the eye of the government,
to the same level. After the return of Peace, certain divines of the Epis-
oopij Ohurch invoked the aid of the Legislature, in reference to some mat-
ters of their own, in a way that seemed to recognise a distinction which the
other denominations were not willing to concede to them ; and the Legisla-
ture listened to their petition, and granted the desired aid. Dr. Allison
K^garding this legislative measure as characterised by an unworthy partiality,
oame out with a series of Essays over the signature, ** Yindex," which con-
tain a noble defence of religious liberty, and which procured an important
modification and virtual defeat of the questionable bill. The followbg
extract, from one of, these papers will show at once that he was a vigorous
writer, and a champion for the cause of religious freedom : —
"An attempt of tbts sort will ever raise a powerM alarm, unless the people are
enslaved or asleep. An attempt of this sort m« raised a powerftil alarm, and a pro-
iecaiion of it shall, with the coantenance of Heaven, be resolutely and snooessnilly
opposed."
In the conclusion of his introductory remarks, he says,-^
*' We have jnst aooomplished a Bevolution whidi is and will be th^ adttfaration of
mankind, tffl aU human fl^ory passeth- forever away;. By our metosj an uncominon
mumfaisaon has spread over the whole civilised earth, penetntlng even Its dark and
PATRICK ALLISON. 2C1
intpleraat regiona of gloomy sapentiUon. The noblest proepects break around onr
enraptured views, we triumphantly anticipate degrees of national magnifloence and
grandear, fkr superior to what the sun ever beheld. While the war continaed, when
weakening fear prevailed on almost every side, Maryland was distinguished by the
wisdom and vigour of her councils, the unanimity of her dtixens, the number and
valour of her troops. Shall she tarnish her dear bought honours, and descend from
her well earned fame? Shall she obscure the splendour of 'America's rising' by an
admission of ui\Just distinctions and impolitic discriminations, which encroach upon
the Indefeasible privileges of her resolute, virtuous, obedient cithsens ? It must not,
cannot, shall not, be. Their own liberal coutributlons and intrepid exertions in the
late hostile scene, say, no; the blood of numerous heroes shod for equal, impartial
libertv, says, no; an immortal leader says., no, who has been the chosen instrument
of doing more for the salvation of his country, than ever before fell to the lot of a
human being, — ^who has saved her to be an asylum for the poor and oppressed of all
nations and religions, and who would have the residue of lus days embittered by incu-
rable anguish, if. looking across the river that enriches and adorns his peaceAil retreat,
he should behold ecclesiastical usurpation raising her hideous head, and spreading her
hateful, malignant Uifluenoe around; the God oi Heaven says, no, who having hereto-
fore signally Interposed in their fkvour,and entrusted to their keephig the fair inherlt-
anoe of Impartial freedom, expects and commands Ihem to stand fast in the liberty
wherewith He has made them free."
Aboat the year 1791 or 1792, an inoident oocurred, which brought Dr.
Allison before the world in defence of American Protestantism. Dr. Car-
roll, who was a Roman Oatholio divine, and who had also been so oonspio-
nous as a patriot during the Revolutionary war, that he had been selected
by Oongress to act in the oapaoity of Secretary to the Mission to Canada,
to induce that Province to join with the United States in their struggle
against Great Britain, — ^had been appointed by the Pope, about the year
1789, the first Catholic Bishop in Ainerica. It became necessary for him
to go to Europe to receive consecration, as that ceremony could not, at that
time, be performed in this country. He went to London, and the Pope's
Nuncio in that city was empowered to bestow it upon him. In the year
1790, he returned to his people in the new character of Bishop, to whom
before he had been known only as a Priest. Dr. Carroll had been always
highly esteemed by all denombations in Baltimore, as well for his decided
patriotism, as for- his exemplary Christian character; and Dr. Allison had
long been on terms of great intimacy with him. It was very soon mnde
known, after he had entered upon his new duties, that the title he assumed
was Johfij Bishop of Baltimore; and to one who had shown himself so
stem an advocate of religious liberty, and the equal rights of all denomina-
tions as Dr. Allison had done, it seemed too expressive of exolusiveness
and supremacy, to be allowed to pass without animadversion. He accord-
ingly arraigned it at the bar of public opinion, in a series of able Essays ;
though he aimed at nothing more than to show that, however much impor-
tance the Church which had adopted the title might ascribe to it, it was
really worth no more than plain Doctor or Jkfr. in an unpretending Protest-
ant Church.
I ought to add that Dr. Allison sustained all the domestic relations with
the utmost dignity and affection : a more devoted husband and father than
he was, it would be difficult to find. In the evening of his days, while his
mind was undergoing the sad eclipse to which I have referred, he never
intermitted family worship ; and conducted it in suoh a manner as not to
indicate the slightest mental aberration. His great aversion to appearing
as an author induced him to l^ve, as one of his dying injunctions, that all
his manuscript sermons should be committed to the flames : otherwise I
262 PBSSBTTERIAK.
doabt not there nught h&Te been a seleofcion made from tliem fbr tlie pnii»
wbioh would have done honour to our American pnlpit.
Dr. Allison's name ie intimately associated, not only with the early his-
tory of the congregation of which he was pastor, bat with many important
measures of the Presbyterian Chnroh, and with moch that was done in his
day for the general improvement of tUs city, and of society at large. From
the origin of the Baltimore Presbytery, he was its leading member until ho
died. He was Chairman of the Committee of the Presbyterian Church on
Psalmody, and a member of other leading committees at the organisation
of the Oenend Assembly. He was one of the original founders of the
Baltimore College and the Bidtimore Library. He was also an active mem-
ber of the Convention, that met first at Elisabethtown, in 1766, to oppose
the establishment of Episcopacy in this country. Nearly half a century
has elapsed since he passed away; but the memory of his talents and vir-
tues is still fresh in some mmds, and I rejoice that you are disposed to
transmit some enduring notice of his life and character to future generations.
I am, with great respect,
Dear Sir, your obedient servant,
ROBERT PURYIAHCE.
FROM THE REY. MATTHEW BROWK, D. D.,
PBXsuBm or jsvnBSoa coluos.
GAimoasBinui, Joxie 26, 1848.
Bev. and dear Sir: I regret that my personal knowledge of Br. Allison of
Baltimore is quite too limited to avail for the purpose which your request con-
templates. I never saw him but once, though he certainly then made an impres-
sion upon me which the lapse of about half a century has left almost as distinct
as ever.
The occasion on which I saw him, was a meeting of the Presbytery of Car-
lisle, at which he had been invited to sit as a corresponding member. It was
about the time that I was licensed to preach; and knowing, as I did, the high
standing of Br. Allison in the Church, I was gUd of an opportunity of even
seeing him. Fortunately, something came up in the deliberations of the Pres-
bytery, that drew from him some remarks; and, though he did not attempt any
thing like a set speech, he said enough fully to justify the exalted opinion that I
had previously formed of his great parliamentary skill and power. His personal
appearance was remarkably dignified and commanding, and impressed me at
once with the idea of intellectual superiority. His attitude, gesture, every thing
pertaining to his manner, was in a high degree impressive, and seemed hardly to
adroit of improvement. And nothing could exceed the appropriateness and
graoefVil elegance of his remarks. I have heard him spoken of by some of the
&thers, — particularly the late Br. John Sjng; and they all agreed in ascribing to
him talents and accomplishments of the highest order; though I am indined to
think that a deliberative body, rather than the pulpit, called them forth to the
best advantage. On the floor of the General Assembly, I have often heard it
sud that he had no superior; and though he did not always carry conviction to
an who heard him, it was not for want of the highest skill and address in man-
sging his subject. Nearly all who have distinct recollections of him have passed
away, but there must be a few still living who can tell you more about him than
Tour friend and servant,
MATTHEW BROWN.
DAYID GALDWBLL. 26B
DAVID CALDWELL, D. D *
1763—1824.
Dayip Oalpwxll, the eldest son of Andrew and Martha Caldwell, was
bom in Lancaster Oountj, Pa., March 22, 1725. His fiettber was a farmer
in comfortable oiromnstances, and was mnoh esteemed in the neighbourhood
in which he lived. The son, after receiving the rudiments of an English
education, served an apprenticeship to a house carpenter ; and he subse-
quently worked at the business four years, in the capacity of a journeyman.
At the age of about twenty-five, he believed himself the subject of a true
conversion, and made a public profession of his faith in Ohrist. Having
resolved to devote himself to the ministry, he immediately commenced a
course of study with a view to a collegiate education. Part of his prepara-
tory course at least was under the instruction of the Rev. Robert Smith of
Pequea, Pa. He was graduated at Princeton in 1761, — the year in which
President Davies died ; and he has been heard to say that he assisted in
carrying him to his grave.
iUPIter leaving College, he was engaged, for a year, in teaching a school
at Cape May ; at the same time occupying his hours of leisure in the study
of Theology. When the year had expired, he returned to Princeton, with a
view to devote himself more exclusively to his preparation for the ministry ;
but, during a part of the time of his residence there, he acted as assistant
teacher in CoUege, in the department of languages. He was taken under
the care of the New Brunswick Presbytery at its meeting in Princeton,
September 28, 1762, and was licensed to preach the Gospel, by the same
Presbytery, and at the same place, on the 8th of June, 1768.
Having supplied several vacancies within the bounds of the Presbytery
that licensed him, he was commissioned by the Synod to spend at least one
year as a missionary in North Carolina, and the Presbytery were ordered
to ordain him with reference to this mission. He seems to have visited
North Carolina first in the summer, or early in the autumn, of 1764 ; and
then to have returned to the Nordi for ordination. He was ordained M
Trenton, N. J., on the 6th of July, 1766, — the sermon being preached by
the Rev. William Eirkpatrick.t A call to him had been laid before the
Presbyteiy at a previous meeting, from the Congregations in Buffalo and
Alamance settlements in North Carolina ; in consequence of which, he was
dismissed to join the Presbytery of Hanover in Virginia. The Congregations
to which he was called, included a considerable number of his friends, who
• Memoir bj Rer. Dr. Camthen.— Foote'f Sketohei of N. C— MS. ftom Bar. Dr. HaQ.
t WiLLiix KiBKPiTBiOK wM jTidoaled at the OoUen of New Jenej in 1767 s wm UoeiMed
to preaeh by the PieebTterr of New Bramwiok at Prinoetoii, Angnit 16, 176B; and wm
ordained Hm tiivlo, at Cranberry, Jnly 4y 1769. In Maroh, 1760, he wm Mnt, in answer to a
petition made to Preibytery. to vreaeb at Trenton. In April, 1761, the people of Tieofton
gnye him a eall ; and in April, 1762, by the adyiee of Presbyteiy, he aooepted it; bn^ for some
reason or other, his instaUation wm postponed; and in Deoember, 1764, the Presbyteiy refused
to install him on the nonnd of inadeqnate support. He oontinned, howerer, to preaoh thei^
the greater part of the time, till Jnne, 1766, when he aeeepted a oall ftom Amwell, N. J.,
where he wm installed in Angost following. In 1767, he wm ehoMn a member of the Board
of Tmstees of Princeton College, and held the ofBee nntil bis death, whioh oeoorred on the Sfeh
dr September, 1769, in the fortj-thhd rear of his age. He wm Moderator of the Synod in
1769. Tradition reprMents him m an eloqnent man, and distlngnished fmt his piety Mtd !■•-
264 PRESBYTEBIAN.
had emigrated from Pennsjlyania to North Carolina, and some of whom had
been thonghtful enough to bespeak his services as a minister, while he was
yet only in a oonrse of training for the saored office. One of his oongrega-
tions belonged to the Old Side^ and the other to the New Side, of that
day ; but, by his discreet and cautious management, he was enabled to keep
them in friendly relations with each other.
He proceeded to Carolina immediately after his ordination ; but, for some
reason that is not now known, did not immediately join the Hanover Pres-
bytery, or accept the call of the two Churches. It was not till the 11th of
October, 1767, that he was received as a member of the Presbytery, and
not till the dd of March, 1768, that he was installed Pastor of the Churches.
The installation sermon #as preached by the Bev. Hugh McAden.*
As the salary which his congregations promised him, was only two hun-
dred dollars, he found it necessary to make some other provision for his
support ; and, accordingly, he purchased a small farm, and, about the same
time, commenced a classical school in his own house, which he continued,
with little interruption, till the infirmities of age disqualified him for
teaching. The number of scholars generally ranged from fifty to sixty ;
and among them were many who have since held some of the most impor-
tant places in both Church and State.
Mr. Caldwell, at an early period in his ministry, directed his attention to
both the science and the practice of medicine. He profited, in this way,
by the residence in his family, for a year, of a practising physician, as well
as by a constaift correspondence with Dr. Bush, between whom and himself
there grew up an intimacy while they were together in College.
Mr. Caldwell was identified with some of the most terrible events of the
war of the Bevolution. The territory that constituted the field of his
labours, was repeatedly a scone of terror and bloodshed. His house was
plundered, his library and furniture destroyed, and the most vigorous and
insidious efforts were made to overtake and arrest him, when he had fled for
his life. His people, like himself, were generally earnest patriots, and some
of them lost their lives in battle, while all were subjected to the severest
trials and privations.
After the return of Peace, Mr. Caldwell, besides attending faithfully to
his duties as teacher and preacher, had much to do, in a more private way,
with the political concerns of the country. He had been a member of the
Convention that formed the Constitution of the State of North Carolina, in
1776, and had voted for a provision which forbade his bemg a member of
the Legislature, while he was a minister of the Grospel ; but still he was at
liberty to express his opbion in regard to the measures which the public
welfare demanded ; and his opinion always carried with it great weight. As
a testimony of grateful respect for the various public services he had ren-
• HnoH MoAdsv was bom In PenDqrlnmU, though hii pftrenti were from the North of
Ireland. He waa gnuinated at the GoUege of New Jemy in 1763 ; stndied Theology under the
BeT. John Blair; waa lioenied to preaeh hj the NeweasUe Presbyterr in 1755; woa ordained
brthe tame PresbTteiy in 1767; woa diamiaied to Join the Hanover Preabytety in 1769, and
the aame year beoame the minister of the Congregations of Dnplin and New Hanover in North
Carolina; and, h»ying remained there abont ten years, removed to Caswell Connty, dhiefly for
the sake of a better ollmate, where he died Janoary 20, 1781, leaving a wife and seven ehildren.
He suffered, not a llUle, during the Revolution,— his house being rannoked, and many ef the
most valuable things it oontained, partienlarly his papers, being destroyed by the enemy t aad>
withfai two weeks after his death, they were enoamped in one of the ohurohes in whieh be bad
been aeoustomed to nreaoh. He is represented as having been remarkably exa«t in his habits^
«nd an eminently lUthfol and laborious pastor and miafonaiy.
DAYH) OALDWBLL. 266
dered, when the present syBtem of Distriot Oourta went into operation, —
notwithstanding there were many appUoants for tho office of Olerk of Onil-
ford Connty, Mr. Oaldwell's son, in whose behalf no application had been
made, received the appointment nnder circumstanoes the most gratifying to
both the son and the father.
When the Uniyersity of North Oarolina was established, in 1791, Mr.
Caldwell, it is nnderstood, had the offer of the Presidency ; bnt, owing to
hb advanced age, and to the peculiar state of his family, he saw fit to decline
it. In 1810, the Trustees of that institntion testified their respect for his
character by conferring npon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
When the great religions excitement took place throughont the Sonihem
country, about the commencement of the present century. Dr. Caldwell,
though he believed that it was, on the whole, a genuine work of Divine
grace, yet was convinced also that there was much about it which could not
approve itself to an enlightened Christian judgment. He ventured cau-
tiously, and yet firmly, to express this opinion ; and, as might be expected,
he was, for a time, set down by many as among the donbtfol friends of the
revival.
Dr. Caldwell continned to preach in his two churches, nnless prevented by
inclement weather, till the year 1820, thongh his infirmities had become so
great that it was often with difficulty that he conld reach his house, alter a
public service. For two or three years previous to his death, he never left
the plantation on which he resided ; bnt, during the whole progress of his
decline, he uniformly evinced the utmost patience, equanimity, and gratitude
for the Divine goodness. His death, which took place on the 26th of
August, 1824, was attended with so little suffering, that his friends
scarcely realised that he had entered the dark valley, when they paw that
life was extinct. Had he lived seven months longer, he would have com-
pleted a century. A Sermon, with reference to his death, was preached, by
appointment of the Orange Presbytery, in the Buffalo Church, by the Rev.
E. Currie, one of his former pupils, from Eccl. viL 1.
In the latter part of the year 1766, he was married to Rachel, the third
daughter of the Bev. Alexander Craighead, minister at Sugar Creek, N. C.
They had a large &mily of children : three of the sons entered the ministry,
and one, the medical profession. Dr. C. suffered severe domestic afflictions, —
three of his children, and one of them a clergyman of great promise, becom-
ing irrecoverably insane. Mrs. Caldwell survived her husband less than a
year, and died in the triumph of Christian fiiith. A marble slab near the
Buffalo Church designates the spot where their mortal remains repose.
A somewhat extended biography of Dr. Caldwell, by the Bev. E. W.
Caruthers, D. D., — was published in 1842, at the dose of which are two of
Dr. Caldwell's Sermons, — one entitled " The character and doom of the Slug-
gard ;" the other, *' The doctrine of Universal Salvation uuscriptural."
FROM THE HON. J. K. KOBEHEAD,
oovBuroa ov vokxb oabouuta.
GuaiTBBoao', N. 0., 4th Augiiist, 1852.
Dear Sir: The Rev. Dr. Caldwell, concerning whom you ask for my remiais-
cences, can hardly be said to have lived in my generation, but he seems rather
to have bdooged to a generation or two preceding
\ xjL. Ill M
266 FBESBTTSBIAK.
In Korember, 1811, my father took me, then in mjsixteontfa jMr, wiih a
good common English edncation, from his residonoe in the Ooanty of Booking^
ham, to Br. Caldwell's,— a distance of som^ thirty miles, for the purpose of
patting me under his care and instruction. I had heard so much of him as sn
instructer and disciplinarian, that I had conoeiyed of him as a man of great per-
sonal dignity, with a fiuse the scowj .of which would annihilate the unlucky urchin
who had not gotten his lesson well. So I approached his residence with fear
and trembling. We found, a few hundred yards from his house, and near a lit-
tle mill on a small branch, — ^built rather to serye as a hobby for amusement than
for any more practical purpose, an exceedingly old gentleman, bowed down by
some eighty-six or seven winters, enveloped in a laige cape made of bear skin,
with a net worsted cap on his head, (for the evening was cool,) and supporting
himself with a cane not much shorter than his own body — this was Dr. Oald-
well. My fears of him and his authority were at once dissipated. The moment
he was informed of our business, he remarked that he had long ago abandoned
his school, and had taught but little since, and then only to oblige a neighbour
pr two; that he had no pupil at that time, and did not wish to engage in teach*
ing again. My father reminded lum of his promise made, many years before,
and while he was not teaching, that he would educate his oldest son for him.
The Doctor replied Jocularly that he did not consider that that promise bound
him to live always, that he might comply with it; and that my fother ought to
have presented his son long since. My fiither made some answer at which the
Doctor laughed heartily, and said in a broad Scotch accent, which he often
assumed, when he desind to be humorous, or to worry a laggard pupil with a
bad lesson — ** Weel mon, we must thry and see what we can do with the lad; "
and turning to myself, said — " But mon, have ye an appetite for reading? " To
which I replied, '' I am not very hungry for it." The answer seemed to please
him, and we then proceeded to his house.
I took boarding in the neighbourhood, and remained under his tuition until
the ML of 1815, (losing a good deal of time, however, from the school,) when I
went to the University of North Carolina, and was admitted a member of the
Junior class. As I had nearly completod the prescribed course in the languages
under Dr. Oaldwell, I studied no Latin or Qreek at the University, with the
exception of Oi<Aro, and that I studied privately.
1 was not long in Dr. Caldwell's hands, before I became satisfied of his
remarkable excellence as a teacher. He had but little to amuse him, except
hearing my lessons. I applied myself to my studies with great seal, with which
he was much pleased; and often has he made me recite, flt)m four to six hours a
day, parsing every difficult word, and scanning nearly every line, when the red*
tation happened to be in any of the Latin poets. Indeed yon could not get along
with him, with any comfort, without knowing accurately and thoroughly every
thing that you passed over.
The Rules of Prosody and Syntax in the Latin, and of Syntax in the Greek,
with all the exceptions and notes, seemed to be as familiar to him as the alpha-
bet. His memory had evidently &iled to some extent; and I have sometimes
found him, on my arrival in the morning, when X was studying the higher Latin
and Greek classics, looking over my lesson for the day. He would apologise for
doing so, by saying that hUi memory foiled, and he was afraid I might cork him;
meaning that I might ask him questions that he would not be able to answer.
Hard words or difficult sentences in the various authors that he taught, seemed,
for the most part, entirely fomiliar to him; and often, when he would ask me for
a rule which I could not give, he would attempt to give it; and the phraseology
having escaped his memory, he would bother at it, like a man with a tangled
skein, searching for the end by which it can be unravelled, until some word or
expression of )Ab own would bring back to his memory some part of the rule.
DAVro QALDWKLL. 267
and then he would repeat the whole of it with great accnracy. Sometimes, when
he oould not repeat the rule in English, he would say — " Weel mon, let us thrj
the Latin; " and the Latin generally prored to he quite at his oommand.
Dr. OaldwelPs course of studies in the languages,-*— Latin, Greek, and Hebrew,
as well as in the sciences, was eztensiye for his day; and the fkdlity and suc-
cess with which he imparted his knowledge to others, in such extreme old age,
was truly wonderful. Towards the latter part of the time that I was under his
instruction, he had several more pupils, and among them was a student of medi-
cine; and I noticed that he seemed just as &miliar with that subject as any
other.
During a part of the time that I was with him, he found great difficulty in
reading, with the help of two pair of spectacles; but his sight returned subse-
qnentiy, so that he could read the finest Greek print, without any glasses at all.
I did not, howerer, observe much change in his intellect.
In stature, I suppose he must have measured about five feet, eight or ten
inches; and in his younger days, he probably weighed firom one hundred and
seventy-five to two hundred pounds. He had a well formed head and strong
features. He was an exceedingly studious man, as his great acquisitions in
various departments of learning proved. The prominent characteristics of his
mind were the power to acquire knowledge and retain it, and the power to apply
it to useful and practical purposes. By some he was thought to be lacking in
originality; but I think this questionable. He certainly possessed a strong
mind; but the late day at which his education was commenced, the great extent
and variety of his knowledge, and the active pursuits of his life, gave him but
littie time for that kind of reflection, without which originality of thought is not
apt to be developed.
Dr. Caldwell was a man of admirable temper, fond of indulging in playful
remarks, which he often pointed with a moral; kind to a fault to every human
being, and I might say to every living creature, entitled to his kindness. He
seemed to live to do good.
It would be difficult to duly appreciate his usefulness through his long life.
His learning, his piety, and his patriotism, were infosed into the generations of
his day. An ardent Whig of the Revolution, he taught his people the duty they
owed to their country as well as their God. Well do I remember, when, in
1814, the militia of Guilford were called together in this town to raise volun-
teers, or draft men to go to Norfolk, to have seen the old gentieman literally
crawl up on the bench of the Oourt House to address the multitude, and in fbrvid
and patriotic strains exhort them to be feithfal to their country. The sermon
had a powerfiil effect upon the soldiers. As an iUustration, I may mention that
a Quaker lad, who had been strictly educated in the feith of his denomination,
after hearing the sermon, entered the ranks of the volunteers, served his tour,
returned to the bosom of his own Church, which gladly rec^ved him, and lived
and died an honoured and esteemed citizen.
From Dr. Caldwell's great age at the time I knew him, and the consequent
fhilure of his voice, (never I think a very good one,) I could not form a rery
satisfectory opinion of his merits in the pulpit. All the sermons I ever heard
him deliver were extemporaneous. But, if I were to hazard an opinion in respect
to him as a preacher, in the vigour of his manhood, I should say he was a calm,
strong, didactic reasoner, whose sermons were delivered with an earnestness
that left no doubt with his hearers that he was uttering his own deep convictions,
and with an unction that bore testimony to the Christian purity of his own
heart.
Happy in the opportunity of thus buariiij; »ii 'lUiuLh testimony to the memory
of my venerated friend I remiun, your obedient servant,
J. M. MOREHEAD.
268 FRESBTTEBIAK.
SAMUEL BLAIR, D. D.
1764—1818.
FBOM THS KEY. WILLIAM KBILL, D. D.
Fhilaoblphza, January 16, 1849.
My dear Brother : Agreeably to your reqnest, I Bend you the following
brief notice of the late Dr. Blair. I was not intimately acquamted with
him; bat having resided in Germantown, and preached some years in
the house of worship which he very generously aided in erecting, I had
an opportunity of leamboig his character and manner of lif6 from reliable
sources.
Sahuxl Blaib was bom in Fagg's Manor, Chester County, Pa., in the
year 1741. His father, the Bey. Samuel Blair, then Pastor of the Church in
that place, was a Presbyterian minister, of respectable talents and eminent
usefulness ; was a zealous friend to Whitefield, and ranked high among the
New Lights in tbe memorable schism of the old New York and Philadelphia
Synod. The son, as may be supposed from the character of the father,
was early and carefully trained in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Wbep be was about ten years of age, his father was removed by death, and
the care of his education devolved on his widowed mother and her advisers.
The trust seems to have been faithfally discharged ; for Samuel, in due
time, ' entered the Collie of New Jersey, where he was graduated with
honour, in 1760, at the age of nineteen. He afterwards served as Tutor
there for about three years — ^firom 1761 to 1764.
I can find no account of his first religious impressions ; but the presump-
tion is that he was hopefully pious before he entered College. The Chris-
tian ministry was his object; and, after passing the usual triaLs with credit,
he was licensed to preach the (Gospel, by the Presbytery of Newcastle, in
1764. He was popular as a preacher from his first appearance in the pulpit.
His discourses were written out in full, with great care, and his elocution
was at once chaste and impressive. Indeed, he seems to have been a
young man of fine talents, and more than ordinary acquirements for his age.
In proof of the justice of this remark, it may be stated here, that, in 1767,
after Dr. Witherspoon had declined the first call of the Trustees of the
College of New Jersey to the Presidency of that institution, young Blair,
though not over twenty-six years of age, was elected to that office, with, as
we have reason to believe, entire unanimity. But when the intelligence
came from Scotland that, owing to a change of circumstances, Dr. Wither-
spoon would probably accept the call if it should be renewed, Mr. Blair
immediately declined the invitation, and Dr. W. was re-elected. This was
regarded, at the time, as a remarkable instance of self-sacrifice to the public
good. He felt that the interests of the College demanded the services of a
man of matured mind and eminent qualifications ; and, therefore, gave way
with a modesty and magnanimity worthy of record.
In November, 1766, Mr. Blair was installed pastor of the Old South
Church in Boston, as a colleague of the Bev. Dr. Sewall. On his way
thither, after his aooeptance of the call, he was shipwrecked in the night,
losing hii wardrobe and manuscripts, and escaping narrowly with his li&
. SAMUEL BLAIR. 269
His exposure, on this oeoasion, injured his he&Iih, and the loss of his ser-
mons, which he had written with great eare, depressed his spirits. In the
spriDg of 1769, he took a journey to Philadelphia, and while there had a
seyere illness, which it was thought had given a shock to his constitution
from which it oould never recover. This, in connection with certain diffi-
culties which had sprung up between him and his people, in relation to the
Half-way Covenant, — as it was called, induced him, in September following,
to proffer the resignation of his charge ; and he was accordingly dismissed,
October 10, 1769. About this time, he was married to Susan, daughter of
the elder William Shippen, M. D., — an eminent physician of Philadelphia.
They had five children, — two sons and three daughters.
He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of
Pennsylvania, in 1790.
After resigning his charge at Boston, he took up his residence at Oerman-
town, near Philadelphia, where he passed the remainder of his life in retire-
ment and devotion to his books ; except that he served two years as Chaplain
in Congress, and preached at other times, occasionally, as opportunity offered.
He died in September, 1818, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. Mrs.
Blair died in the spring of 1821.
Dr. Blair published two Seroions, one of which was occasioned by the
death of the Rev. Dr. John Blair Smith, Philadelphia, 1799.
Dr. Blair was of about the medium size, of fair and ruddy complexion,
and decidedly a fine looking man — not unlike, in his personal appearance,
to the late Dr. Samuel Stanhope Smith. He was a man of polbhed man-
ners and of amiable and generous dispositions. He was also a superior
scholar, a well read theologian, and an eloquent pulpit orator. But, owing
perhaps to excessive diffidence, and a tendency to melancholy, he was too
much of a recluse. True, his health was feeble ; but it would probably
have been improved by more active service. He yielded too much to
despondency, and did not rouse himself to labour in his profession with
becoming energy and seal. Hence the high expectations which his early
promise had inspired, were, in a great measure, disappointed. But it
should be mentioned to his honour that he was always liberal in his contri-
butions to the support of religion, and of all evangelical enterprises. He
was a principal agent, and one of the most generous contributors, in the
erection of the Presbyterian church edifice in Oermantown, where he laboured
in word and doctrine, for some time, gratuitously, and with great acceptance.
His services were also acceptable in Philadelphia, where he preached, by
invitation, in several of the churches, when their pulpits happened to be
yaoant; but he rarely went abroad to preach, partly on account of infirm
health, and partly because he deemed himself but poorly fitted for that sort
of labour. Indeed, although he was a man of acknowledged talents, good
education, and refined taste, he failed in energy and moral courage. He
gave himself up to the luxuiy of private study, pondering the deep things
of religion, waiting, it would seem, for a providential opening to some
important station, when he might have been much more advantageously
employed in the great practical duties of his office. I say this, because it
is due to truth, and without the least disposition to dishonour his memory.
While he was, in many respects, a noble specimen of a man, one cannot
but wish, in contemplating his character, that his fine powers had been
270 FRESBTTBBIAK.
brought more fully into ezeroise, and that the history of his lilb had been
a reoord of more. extended and self-deny mg labours.
I am, my dear Sir,
Your brother and fellow serrant in the Lord,
WILLIAM NSILI^
ROBERT COOPER, D. D *
1765— 1805,
BoBXBT OooPXB was bom in the North of Ireland, in or about the year
1782. His father died in Ireland, while the son was yet a child. At the
age of about nine, he, with two sisters, was broaght by his mother to
America. The feimily settled in Pennsylvania, probably in or near Lan-
caster or Oarlisle. Their worldly circumstances were somewhat depressed,
but his mother was active and frugal, and, in connection with what he was
enabled to do for himself, managed to afford him tolerable facilities of edu-
cation for that day. He was deeply sensible of the efforts which she made
in his behalf, and manifested his gratitude in the most exemplary filial
attentions till the close of her life. There is a tradition among his descend-
ants that he learned the business of plough-making, in order to help him-
self in his education ; but however this may have been, it is certain that he
was obliged to labour at somethiDg to obtain the means, in part at least, of
accomplishing this object ; and that he occasionally left school, and engaged
in manual labour, in order to meet his necessary expenses. It is supposed
that he fitted for OoUege chiefly under the instruction of the Rev. Mr.
Boan, within whose congregation he resided during his earlier years, and
for whom he always cherished a high regard. In due time, he became a
member of the College of New Jersey, where he was graduated in Septem-
bev, 1768, under the Presidency of Dr. Finley.
Having determined to engage in the work of the ministry, he prosecuted
a course of theological study, partly, it would seem, under the direction of
his own minister, Mr. Boan, and partly under that of the Rev. (afterwards
Dt.) Gkorge Duffield, then of Oarlisle, afterwards of Philadelphia. He
was rectjDived on trials for licensure by the (Old) Presbytery of Donegal,
October 24, 1764, in littie more than a year after his graduation. Having
passed through his trials with great acceptance, he was lioenised to preach
by the Presbytery of Carlisle, February 22, 1765.
. Immediately after his licensure, he was appointed by the Presbytery to
supply, for a few Sabbaths, the vacant Congregation at Middle Spring; and,
subsequently, a continuance of his labours was requested by tiiat congre-
gation: and some other congregations, particularly that at West Notting-
ham, then recently rendered vacant by the removal of Dr. Finley to the
Presidency of New Jersey College, soUcited his servioes. On the 18th of
June, 1766, a call was presented to him by the Church at Middle Spring,
accompanied with a request that, if he could not see his way dear to accept
• MSB. tnm JoDathaa K. Cooper, Biq., Hon. Bobert C. Grlor, Kor. Imm Grier, Bay. Dr«
M'Oonaiigfaj^ and B«v. Dr. llattliew Brown.
BOBEBT COOPEB. 271
it at onoe, the Presbytery would appoint him, in the mean time, their sta^
ted supply; and thoagh he was not prepared to give an immediate answer,
he ultimately determined to aooept die call. About the same time, the con-
gregation at Mardnsburgh, Ya., to which Mr. Cooper had previously
preached two or three Sabbaths, were actually moyi^g to invite him to
become their pastor, but. were discouraged from proceeding, in consequence
of being informed that any such applioaUou would be unavuling. He sig-
nified his acceptance of the call from ^ddle Spring on the 80 th of Octo-
ber; and his ordination and installation took place on the 2l8t of the next
month.
Here Mr. Oooper continued his labours, with great fidelity and useful-
ness, for thirty-one years. The church and congregation grew under his
ministry, and the old wooden edifice, in which they had been accustomed
to wordiip, gave place to a large and commodious building of stone, which
was constantly and often densely filled. He watched with uncommon soli-
citude and assiduity over the interests of his fiock, and was blest, in return,
with their unwavering confidence and affection. He visited all the families
in his congregation, frequently and systematically, and was especially atten-
tive to the religious interests of the young. In these labours of love he
found a most efficient coadjutor in his excellent wife, who was accustomed
frequently to accompany him in his parochial visits, and often made herself
very useful, especially m administering relief or consolation to the sick.
The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Dickinson
College, in the year 1792.
On the 5th of October, 1796, Dr. Cooper, in consequence of a decayed
state of health, in which his mind had a sensible share, applied to the Pros-
bytery for leave to resign his pastoral charge. The request was not at
once decisively acted upon ; but provision was made for rendering him the
needed assistance in his labours, until the next meeting of the Presbytery.
At that meeting, the Doctor renewed his request; and his church, having
finally become satisfied that his infirmities were such as to cut off the hope
of his being able to perform the duties of the ministry, eignified to the
Presbytery their assent to his proposal ; whereupon, the pastoral relation
was dissolved. This took place on the 12th of April, 1797.
The malady, which thus interrupted Dr. Cooper's public labours, was of
the nature of dropsy ; but it was attended with an inveterate depression of
spirits, which, apart from physical infirmity, utterly unfitted him for the
duties of his office. It was often with extreme difficulty that his family
could persuade him to go into the pulpit ; but sometimes the clouds would
suddenly break away, and leave him to the full use of his faculties, so that
he would preach with uncommon freedom and power. After he had resigned
his pastoral charge, his bodily disease yielded to medical treatment, and, as
a consequence, the general tranquillity of his mbd was restored. He gladly
availed himself of this favourable change to resume his ministerial labours ;
and, though he never afterwards had a stated charge, he often supplied
vacant churches within the bounds of the Presbytery, and exerted himself
not a little in gathering the means for sending the Gh)spel to the more des^
titute portions of the country, and even acted as a missionary himself. A
short time before his death, there was a recurrence of at least the mental
malady which had previously afflicted him ; but it was only for a brief
period, and he went down to his grave amidst the most cheering testixno-
27% PEBSBTTBBIAK,
nies of Ood's graoions presenoe. He died April 6, 1806, in the eerentj^
third year of his age.
Dr. Cooper, as fiur as oan now be asoeriained, published nothing ezoept
n Tract, in 1804, entitled "Sighs of the times;" in which he notices the
progress of Infidel Philosophy in Eorope, and the danger of its extending
in this country ; deprecates the spirit of fanaticism which was then becom-
ing rife in many parts of the land ; and carefolly marks the distinction
between a spurious excitement and a genuine reviyal of reli^on. A Ser-
mon of his was also published^ preached before a Regiment of troops, who
were about to leave home to engage in the service of their country, during
the Revolution; but this is believed to have been printed without any
agency of his own, and perhaps without his knowledge.
Though Dr. Cooper had but limited means of support in his small salary
and poor &rm, he contrived, by rigid economy, to place himself in very
comfortable worldly circumstances. He had also a very considerable library
for that day ; and by a memorandum in the hands of one of his descend-
ants, it appears that a portion of his books were purchased for him by Dr.
Witherspoon, in Scotland.
About the time that he entered the ministry, he was married to Elisa-
beth, eldest cluld of Jonathan and Jane Eearsley, then of Carlisle. They
had four children, — two sons and two daughters. One son died in infancy.
His eldest daughter, /ane, married a Mr. Samuel Nicholson, and has been
dead many years. His second daughter, Elizabeth^ was married to the
Rev. Isaac Grier.* His youngest son, /oAn, was liberally educated, and
studied for the ministry ; but was obliged, by a sudden decline of health, to
give up study entirely, before he was licensed to preach. By relaxation
and moderate exercise on a farm, however, he so far regained Us health as
to be able to teach a school, and was actually engaged in this employment
upwards of thirty years. He removed to Peoria, 111., the residence of one
of his sons, in 1889, where he died, in 1848, in his seventy-third year.
FROM THE BEY. JOHN MOODEY, D. D.
SBiFPaasBUBO, Pa., January 18, 1860
Bev. and dear Sir: Ify acquaintance with Dr. Cooper, my venerable predeots*
sor in the ministry, concerning whom you inquire, was limited to the last years
of his life. He lived but about two years after my aooeptanoe of the call at Mid-
* IiAAO Gbibb was bom about the jmx 1768, in what If now Franklin CounW, Pa. Hit
fktiior, who was a ftnnor, wai of tho Bootoh Iriih omlgranti, who wttlod in Pennfylyania at an
eailT day. HaTlng gone thzongh hia prepaxatory oonne nnder Jamei Bom, a oelebiated
teaonor, then at OhainDenbnrgh, he entered Diokinion OoUege, Oarliale, where he wai giada-
ated in 1700. He wae Ueenaed to preaeh abont the year 1791, and, immediately after, inent a
jear in a miaionaiy toor thzongh the new wtUenenti in Weatem New Tork. In 1704, he
reoeired a eaU tnm the Ooncregationi of Lyeoming, Pine Creek, and Oreat lilend, in L^ooin-
ing Coonty, Pa. In the ipnng of 1706, he {rarohaaed a mall (arm near the Tfllan of Jener
SlMre, wher^ be redded. Being but dendeily Bupported by hia oongregation, he, in 180S,
opened a clanrif I idhool, by means of wbldh, together with his imaU farm, he managed to meet
ried a ebwdeal edhool. by means of wbldh, together with his smaU farm, he maniged
iBxpeniei of his (kinUy. Having reeeiyed a eaU to the Congregations of Northumberland
'" ' »Ted to the town of Northnmberland in April, 1806. Beside thi
1 a smaU ^nreh b Shamokin Valley, at least ones a month. Her . ,
k soflteient support for his ftoaily, he was eompelled to asnime the mties
and Sunburr, he remoTod
gregatioDs, he suppUed a
ui order to make out a su ,, .
of teaoher of an Aeademy. But his nnooMlBg labours, both as pastor and teaeher, in a few
yean,' destroyed his oonstitution, and he died of dyspepsiay August tt, 1814. He was a man
of lAA intelllgenee and great moral and Christian worthi and as a teaeher of the Latin and
Oreek languages, be is sud to hare had no superior in PennsylTania. Ho was the Cather of the
Hen. B. C. Chrier, one of the Justioss of the finpiwne Court of the United States, and thf Ber.
Isaao €Mflr of Miflinbag, Pa.
BOBSBT OOOPSB. 273
die Spring; and as he was al>sent from home during much of that time, supplj
ing Tacant congregations, and as most of my time was required in preparing for
pastoral duties, and as our places of residence withal wereseyen miles apart, our
intercourse was not very frequent. I was, howeyer, occasionally a yisitor at his
house, especially during the period that interyened between my licensure and the
acceptance of my call; and I uniformly found him a warm friend; giyen to hos-
pitality; always ready to giye adyice where it was desired, and to explain any
theological difficulty that was proposed to him.
In his religious yiews he was a thorough Galvinist, of the Old School, and
adopted the Oonfession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church, in its legitimate
import. He was well acquainted with Theology, and was a yery competent the-
ological teacher. Among those who resorted to him for instruction in this depart-
ment, were Dr. McKnight of New York, Dr. Joshua Williams, for many years a
distinguished minister in this region, Dr. Herron of Pittsburgh, and others of
scarcely less celebrity. Of the estimation in which he was held by his brethren
in the ministry, some opinion may be formed from the fact that, at the meeting
of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, the then supreme judicatory of the
Presbyterian Ohurch in the United States, in May, 1785, he was appointed, in
connection with Dr. Witherspoon, Dr. Robert Smith, Dr. Samuel Stanhope
Smith, and seyeral other of the greater lights of the body, to frame a system of
general rules for the goyernment of the Church. Dr. Miller, in his Life of Dr.
Rodgers, speaking of this Committee, has the following note under the name of
Dr. Cooper: — ** The Rey. Robert Cooper of Shippensburg, Pa., afterwards Doc-
tor of Diyinity. Dr. Cooper had a remarkably strong, sound mind; and although
late in acquiring an education, and entering the ministry, he was a diyine of
great judiciousness, piety, and worth.*'
In the American Reyolution, Dr. Cooper was a zealous Whig, and irisited the
army, for a short time, in the capacity of a minister, with a yiew no doubt to
exhort them to actiyity and fidelity; and he was near being taken prisoner at
Princeton. The political yiews which beheld then, he retaiped through life; and
sometimes, in his last years, when his mind, free from depression, rose into an
opposite state of excitement, he dwelt upon these topics in the pulpit, more than
was acceptable to a portion of his hearers.
As a preacher. Dr. Cooper seems to haye been distinguished rather for the soli-
dity and excellence of his matter, than for elegant diction, or an attractiye
deliyery. He was, howeyer, in the earlier part of his ministry particularly, a
more than ordinarily popular preacher; and, with the more intelligent and
reflecting portion of the community, he retained his popularity^ to the last. He
was accustomed to write his sermons, — ^many of them at lea8t,'pretty fuUy; but
had no manuscript before him in the deliyery, unless it were a mere outline.
His personal appearance, whether in or out of the pulpit, was not yery com-
manding. He was low in stature, and of a thin, spare habit. His face consider-
ably resembled a print of melancholy, or hypocondriasis, which is giyen in Laya-
ter's work on Physiognomy. This sadness of the countenance was undoubtedly
an index to that peculiar halnt of mind, if not original temperament, which sub-
jected him to such serious inconyenienoe, and occasioned a premature separation)
firom his people.
I am, dear Sir, yours iirith great respect,
JOHN ]COOI»T.
Vol. ni. 85
274 FBBSBYTXBIAK.
JOSEPH SMITH.
1767—1792.
FROM THE BEY. JOSEPH SMITH, D. D.
Au^MHAVT Cirri If OTember 1, 1860.
Rev. and dear Sir : In oomplianoe with jonr request, I now send yon die
anbstanoe of all that I haye been able to gather in respeot to Ibe history of
my yenerable grand&ther, who was one of the early ministers of the Pres-
byterian Ohuroh in Western Pennsylyania.
JossPH Skith was born in the year 1786, in Nottingham, Pa. His
parents, who were natives of England, were not only professors of religion,
bnt were regarded as eminently pious persons. Of his early education and
religious exercises nothing is known ; but there is reason to belieye that he
had passed his minority, when he first entertained the idea of deroting him-
self to the ministry. For he graduated at Princeton in 1764, when he was
twenty-eight years of age. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery
of Newcastle, at Drawyers, August 5, 1767. Of his theological training I
have been unable to gun any information. He seems, however, to have had
considerable knowledge of the original languages of the Scriptures. The
Hebrew Bible, the Greek Testament, Ldgh's Oritica Sacra, and Pool's
Synopsis, were his constant companions, during his subsequent life.
On the 20th of October, 1768, he accepted a call from the Congregation
of Lower Brandywine, and was ordained and installed their Pastor, April
19, 1769. A short time before he was licensed, he had married Miss
Esther Oummins, daughter of William Oummins, merchant of OecU
Oounty, Md., — a lady of uncommon piety, intelligence, and refinement of
manners, — who proved to be a help-meet indeed to the day of his death.
Difficulties having sprung up in the congregation relative to the site of a
church, his pastoral relation to them was dissolved, on the 26th of August,
1772. At the same meeting of the Presbytery, he received a call from the
Oongregations of Bocky Greek and Long Oane in South Oarolina. This
call he declined, and accepted an appointment as a supply to his former
congregation, for one year. About this time, he began to preach in Wil-
mington, Be., which was the occasion of great dissension among the people,
As Uie Rev. William McEennan* was already preaching in that place.
After a season of much excitement, during which various petitions and
remonstrances were presented on the subject, the Presbytery, on the 12th
of August, 1778, put mto his hands a call from the Second Ohurch of Wil-
mington. This he held till the autumn of the next year. In the mean time,
4ie Congregation of Wilmington having* united with that of Lower Brandy-
wine, in seddng a portion of his labours, he accepted their united call, and
became their Pastor, October 27, 1774. In these Ohurohes he laboured till
April 29, 1778, when, at his own request, the pastoral relation was
dissolved, '* by reason of the difficult state of public affiurs." This expres-
riion alludes no doubt to the distracted state of the country, and especially
* WxixiAV MoS^BinrAV eiidgmted flrom the North of InUad; wu oidAfaied m pwtor of
"* " ^ . ^ . ^. ., Q^^j^ Ohnnhoi. In DeUwwt, In Dooambw, 1766» and Mr?«d thMt
during thlzty-fonr of whloh ho wu olfo tho Puior of tho Hnl
White OUT Md Bed OUj Creek Ohnrehoi. In DeUwwe, In Deoember, 1766» end Mrred thMe
Ohnehee flffy-fonr jeui, during thirty-four of whloh he wu elio the Putot ' " "' '
«Ohareh In WUmlngtoii. He died on the 6th of Mej» 1809^ at the ege of Blnety •
JOSBPH SMITH.
276
of that part of Delaware, — being theninyolved in some of the most haraap-
ing and bloody soenea of our Revolutionarj war. Some time before he
left Wilmington, a British army landed at the head of Elk, and soon after
occurred the battle of Brandywine. The fearful cannonading on the field
of slaughter shook many a window in Wilmington on that day. In
Jane, 1776, soon after the battle, Mrs. Smith prematurely gave birth to
their fourth child. The nervous excitement produced by the roar of the
cannon threatened to prove fatal to both mother and child ; but they wen
meroifolly preserved, — the mother to sustain and increase the usefolness of
her husband, — the feeble infant, to become, in future years, the wife of one
minister, and the mother of another.
Soon after these events, he was urged by an imperative sense of duty, ae
a husband, parent, and minister, to retire with his family into the Barrens
of York, where he resided for nearly two years, preaching with great suc-
cess in the " region round about." At this time, one of his neighbours,
who had recently been married, and had broaght his wife home, was called
upon by some of his acquaintances, on the Sabbath, and just as they were
about setting out for public worship. The young man, who was pious, was
not a little annoyed, but persuaded his friends to accompany them to their
meeting*honse in the neighbourhood, to hear Mr. Smith, of whom he gave
them such an account as to awaken somewhat their cariosity. The result
was the hopeful conversion of several of the party. During this period, — in
the spring of the year 1779, — he paid a short visit to Western Pennsyl-
vania. He preached several times within the limits of what were subse*
quently the Buffalo and Cross Creek Congregations, in Westmoreland, now
Washington County. In June of that year, a call from these congregations
was sent down to the Presbytery for him. He accepted it, and removed
thither in December, 1780.
Here Mr. Smith spent the remainder of his life. Perhaps no pastor of a
church was ever more blessed with devoted elders than he now was. A
revival of religion quickly commenced under his labours, which never ceased
till the day of his death — twelve years ! And this too amidst the trials
and perils of frontier life, where they were often in imminent danger ftom
savage foes, and sometimes were compelled to retire to forts or block
houses, to protect themselves from the merciless tomahawk. Besides Mr.
Smith's abundant labours on the Sabbath, and his frequent preaching
through the week, he instituted, at his own house, a Wednesday evening
prayer meeting, to which persons would come from a distance of from three
to fifteen miles.
Mr. Smith was not a man of robust health. In person he was tall, slen-
der, of fair complexion, looking slightly aakance with one eye. When he
became animated, there was a piercing brilliancy about his eyes, that was
peculiar and striking. His voice was adapted aUke to the terrific and the
pathetic. ** I never heard a man," said the Bev. Samuel Porter, <*who
could so completely as Mr. Smith, unbar the gates of Hell, and make me
look far down into the abyss, or who could so throw open the gates of
Heaven, and let me glance at die insufferable brightness of the great white
throne." His favourite subjects were the necessity of regeneration, and the
immediate obligation of exercising faith in Jesus Christ. Hia ordinary
style of speaking was quite removed from any thing like rhapsody — it was
rather like free animated conversation. His sermons were generally written
j^5 PBESB7TEBIAK.
odt wMi -some degree of fnlness. Many of ihe skeletons, which he used on
ordinary occasions, are so extended that they might, with little addition, be
prepared for the press* Bat he would often, when speakings rise to a pitch
of uncommon sablimi^, rendering himself qnite irresistible to all classes
of hearers. Yet, if it might be said that preaching was his forte, it is ques-
tionable whether his nsefnlness oat of the pulpit was not even greater thaik
in it. He was eminently a deTout man, and often had special seasons of
prayer. It was not uncommon for him to rise in the night, and spend hours
in fervent intercession for his people, and especially for the youth of his
congregation, and his own children. With reference to this, he kept a cloak
at tiie foot of his bed during the cold weather, that he might have it in
readiness to throw around him, when he wished to get upon his knees in the
silent hours of night. His wife and himself often observed special fiut days
for the conversion of their children. Nearly all of them became hopefully
tiie subjeets of Divine grace, while they were quite young, and one was
admitted to the fellowship of the church at the age of ten years. He was
eminently faithful in catechising and conversing with his children. Sabbath
evenings were generally spent in this way. Gathering them around the fire^
side, after the usual recitation of the Shorter Oateohism, he would talk to
them most earnestly and affectionately, and would sometimes close with
solemn warnings, telling them that he would take the stones of the chimney
to witness against them, &c. Yet there was nothing morose or forbidding in
his character — on the contrary, he was cheerful, affectionate and uncom-
monly winning ; and the children and youth of his church have some of
them testified that, while he was among them, they were unconscious of the
flight of time. Praise generally employed his lips, as soon as he opened
his eyes in the morning. He was fond of singings and he loved to sing a
fikvourite verse or two before he rose from his bed.
He was a laborious and faithful pastor ; — was particularly diligent in
seeking out those who were neglecting the ordinances of religion. The tide
of emigration, especially from Virginia, poured around him considerable
numbers of the profane and openly irreligious. He was skilful in devising
methods of access to persons, whom few would have thought it worth while
to approach. On one occasion, he was at the house of one of his elders
over night, and rising early in the morning, he observed a house half a mile
distant, and inquired of his elder, who Uved there. On being told that it
was a person who had resided there but a few months, Mr. Smith asked if
hfi came to church. The elder said he did not, but his wife and children
caipe sometimeiB. Mr. Smith sidd that he would go and see him ; and tell-
ing ibe elder not to delay breakfast for him, immediately set off. Arrived at
die house, he found the man and his &mily at home. He introduced himself
as the minister who preached at Buffalo, and as such had called to see them.
The man said he knew him, though he had not been to church, but added
that his wife and ehildren sometimes went. Mr. Smith called the famOy
togeiheri and talked with them on the subject of religion ; and, after some
time, asked the man if he had had &mily worship that morning. He
feplied that he had not. ** I suppose,*' said Mr. S., ** that you pray in your
frmily of course." Ho admitted that he did not. <<Then," said Mr. 8.
•« you ought to do it ; and the sooner you begin, the better ; you ttitist
b^m immediatdy." He then asked for a Bible, and read a passage,
aoecinpaiiying it widi suitable oomments, and immediately asked the man to
JOSEPH SMITH. s^nfl
pray ;' and, without giTUig bim time to erpress either hiil aUbenftOrdiflBent,
he knelt down forthwith. A long silenoe followed. Mr. Smith ihan.tnmed
to the man and urged him to pray. He still remained silent. His impor-
tunate visitor agaiu repeated his request. Under this process, his mind
being deeply agitated, he cried out at length in agony ,-r-** 0 Lord, teach
me. tO: pray, for I know not how to pray." '* That will do," said Mr. Smithy
as he rose from his knees ; ** you have made a good beginning, and I trust
you will soon be able to extend your petitions." The result was such as
Mr. -Smith predicted. The tradition is that, from that time forth, he
became a man of prayer, and he and his family were soon consistent and
active members of the church.
One of his hearers, — a man of a worldly mind, and altogether careless
on the subject of religion, yet very kind and respectful towards his minis*
ter, had often baflELed his attempts to draw him into conversation on mat^
ters of a spiritual nature; but, on a Sabbath morning, as he was standing
near the place of worship, conversing with others, — ^upon Mr. Smith's com^
ing up, he observed to him that they had just been speaking of the vast-
ness and grandeur of some rocks not far o£f. ''Yes, Col. J.," said Mr. S.,
** the works of Qod are grand. And how hot will be those last fires that will
melt down these rocks l^e waz--don*t you think so ? " " Very hot indeed,
very hot indeed. Sir," — said the Colonel, shrugging his shoulders, and edg-
ing away, manifestly with a barbed arrow in his conscience.
Mr. Smith was anxious, from the first, to assist in bringing forward young
men to preach the Qospel. The Rev. Thaddeus Dod had, in the spring of
1782, moved into the village of Washington, and taught the town school or
Academy in the old Court House for about a year, and then returned to
Tenmile, where he had previously resided. During that time, two or three
young men, having the ministry in view, received instruction from Mr. Dod,
amongst whom were James Hughes* and John Hanna.t But the first
school that was opened with a special view to the training of young men for
the sacred office, is believed to have been begun by Mr. Smith, at Upper
Buffalo, in 1785. The subject had pressed heavily on his mind for some time
before. The great difficulty in his way was that he had no suitable house*
But he had recently erected a building, adjoining his dwelling, to serve as a
Idtchen and out-house ; and if his wife would consent to surrender that for
a while, and fall back upon their former hampered domestic eyatem, the
object could be accomplished. Upon his stating the case to her, she cor-
dially acquiesced in the plan, and warmly seconded his views. Almost
* Jamm Hvabbs, the son of fiowland HnghM^ aa Mnigniat from EDgland, wm % natiTO of
York Goontj> Pa.; wm ednoated ohiefly unaer the direction of the Bot. Jofoph Smith; wta
Uoeniad to pteaoh the Goipel hj the Prefbytery of Redstone, April 1 6, 1788 ; and waa ordained
and installed pastor of Short Creek and Lower BaflUo Ghnrohea, in Ohio Coonty, Va., on tha
2lBt of Aprils 1790. Hayinc laboured snooessfuUy here, upwards of twenty years^ he resigned
his pastoral eharge on the^9th of Jmie> 1814; and shortly after removed to Urbaoa, 0.,
where, for three yeais, he aeted as stated supply and missionary. In Jane, 1818» he was
ehosen Prindpal of what is now Miami Universi^. This oflioe he aeoepted, and held tOl hif
death, whioh ooearred May 2, 1821, at Oxford, 0. He was an earnest and IhlthAil pgmOw,
and a sealoos promoter of the eanse of missbns.
t JoHK Haw A presented himself for examination for lioensore before the Presbytery of Bed-
stone, on the 28th of Deoember, 1790, and, in view of his Tory small eapaoitiea and atlala-
ments^ ** the Presbytenr were unanimously of opinion that it waa not theu duty to enoouxafa
him to prooeed any farther on trials, with a prospeot of being lioensed to preaeh the Goanal.'*
Mr. Hanna, having been thus dismissed, went to N ew Jersey, and united himself with the M or*
lis Oodnty Presbytery,— « smaU independent body, whidh ims, for many yaaii, been
Hera he was lioensed and ordained^ and Is said to haTO been a useful miiustas.
278 FBSSBTTBBIAK.
immediately, the Latin School was opened, and MeBsrs. HcGreadj,* Porter,
Brioet and PatterBOh began their conne. Soon alter, James Hnghes, who
had already begun with Mr. Dod, joined them. About this time^ the plan
seems to haye been adopted, of making this school, in some seiise, itine-
rant ; the brethren, Messrs. McMillan, Dod, and Smith, taking it in turn,
and thus dividing the labour. It was found expedient, after a triid, to ren-
der it more fixed and permanent ; and Ghartiers, in the vicinity of Gannons-
burg, was regarded, on many accounts, the most favourable location. This
school afterwards became a public Academy, and grew at length into Jeffer-
son GoU^e. But the original enterprise was undoubtedly set on foot by
Mr. Smith.
Thus abounding in labours at home and abroad, and wearing himself out
m his Master's service, the spring of 1792 found him still at his post. His
health, though never vigorous, gave no token of his approaching end. He
was b the pulpit on the first Sabbath of April, and was at Gross Greek,
according to his alternate course, on that day. His text was, Qalatians i,
8. " Though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you,
than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." He took
occasion, from this text, to give them a summary sketch of his twelve years'
preaching. It seemed like the winding up of his ministry. It was remarked
afterwards that he seemed to speak under the influence of a presentiment that
it was to be lus last sermon. The whole place was like a Bochim. How much
* Jahm MoQbbavt waa of Sooteh Iriih eztmotlon, and wu » native of Pemi^lTmDift. Tbo
fhiiiily, when he was quite joonc, miffiibted to the South, mod settled in Ghdlfora Conntj, N.
0. flora he poaed eeTenl of hb eenj yevei and m he was a sedate and thonchtlU youth,
and in other nspeots promislnc^ an undo who was on a visit to his Iktherm, oonoemng that he
ought to he edueated for the ndnistiy, mrailed on his parents to aliow their son to aoeompany
him to Pennsylvania, with a view to toe aeoomfilishment of this ol^eot. He went with him
aooordingly ; and befora he liad time to begin his studies, he beoame oonvinoed, under a sermon
of the Rev. Mr. Smith, that YAb previous religious hopes had been delusive, and was broagfaty
as he believed, to build on the only sura foundation. In the autumn of 1786, Mr. Smitii
opened asohool to pnpara young men for the ministiy. in whioh Mr. MoQreadv immediately
beeame a pupil; and, after remaining thera for some tune, he beoame oonneoted with another
sohool, thra reoently opened by the Sev. Dr. MoBfillan, with whom he had resided for a short
time immediately alter his ratum with his undo to Pennqrlvania. Having eomnleted his lit-
erary and theolorioal oonise, he was lioensed to preaeh bv the Presbvtery of Redstone, on the
18th of August, 1788, when he was about thirty yean of age. In the autumn or winter fol-
lowing, he went to Oarolina, and on his wav stopped for some time at Hampden Sidney Col-
Imo, In Yirginia, with Dr. John Blair Smith, who had had muoh to do with the great ravlval
or raliglon m that neighbourhood ; and his own mind seems to have been poweif nlly aoted upon
bv what he saw and heard of the manifostatlons of Divine graoe. On his arrival in North
Oaralina, he found the ehuiehes In a state of gnat spiritual apathy, and his preaoUng was the
' ' ovedtoEo]
I of an inereased attention to raligion in many plaees. lii 17v6, he removed to Kentueky^
and settled in Logan County, over the thrae Congregations of Muddy, Red, and Oasper, Rivers.
Hera his preaohing produoed the most powerful impressions, and he beeamo a leader in that great
•xoltement at the South-west, which. In some of its phases, has soaroely, to this day, ecased to
bo a sul()eot of ourions speoulation. By his extrame measures, he brought himself into an
ombamsssd relation with nis Prasbytery, and was one of those who seoedM to form the Cum-
be^and Presbytery, thou|^, after about two years, he withdraw foom his new oonneeUon, and
fotomed to the Presby te^ of TranqrlTUiia. He shortly after removed to the town of Hender-
n, on the Ohio River, whera he spent the remainder of his days, and died in 1817.
[JoBV Bnion was a native of Harford County, Md. He removed with his fother's fkmily.
Western Pennsylvania, and reodved his eduoation ohieily under the direofeion of the Rev.
Jiciseph Smith. He studied Theology, partly under Mr. Smith, and partly under the Rev. Thad-
deus Dod. He was lioensed to preaeh Apiu 16, 1788, by the Presbytery of Redstone; and by
the same Presbjrtery was ordained and installed psstor of the Congregations of Three Ridgei
tad Porks of Wheeling, April SS, 1700. When the PresMery of Ohio was formed in 17eS.
he was one of Its members. Hera he laboured till about the year 1807, when, on aooount of
ffl health, his pastoral relation was dissolved. He still oontmued, however, to preaeh this
Gospel in Green County, Pa., and the a^aoent parts of Virginia, as often as health would per-
mit, untU the 18th of Avrfl. 1810, when he waa dismissed to eonneot himself with the Pred^r
lery of Laaoaster. He died August 80, 1811, aged iifly-one years. He was a man of nervo^
Csinperamenty and snbjeot to great despondenqr, but of an eminently devout spirit, and wis
graatly blesMd in his labours.
JOSSPH SIOTH. 27d
more were Hb people affected, when it was found that he required aasiat-
anoe to get from the pulpit to his horse ! He was obliged to remain for ^
day or two in the neighbourhood, and then was conveyed on a sled to his
own house, — carriages of a more decent kind bebg then, at least in that
region, almost unknown. His disease was inflammation of the brun. His
Bufferings, though short, were severe. In the earlier stages of his disease,
his mind was enveloped, for a time, in thick darkness. His affectionate
people poured in to see him. He asked them to pray for him. To a num-
ber of young people in whose conversion he had been instrumental, and
who were permitted to approach his bedside, he said, — " My dear children,
often have I prayed for you, when you were sleeping in your beds — now b
your time to pay me back — ^pray for me that the Lord would shield me from
the fiery darts of Satan. Deep calleth unto deep, and all his billows He
maketh to pass over me." In such language, as I have been assured by
one of the group who stood by his bedside, did he express the anguish of
his spirit. But the conflict was at length over, and all was peaoe. His
last day was spent in the land of Beulah. As long as he could speak, it
was in accents of triumph and holy joy. He finished his course on the
19th of April. The tidings of his death spread gloom over a widely
extended community. Such were the feelings of his people, as many of
them have since testified, that it was a common remark among them that
the sun did not seem to shine with his natural brightness for many days
afterwards. The congregations in which he lived and died still experience
the benefit of his infiuence, and are among the most flourishing in Western
Pennsylvania.
Allow me, before I conclude, to mention one or two more anecdotes^
illustrative of Mr. Smith's earnest devotedness to his work, and of the fear-
less and uncompromising spirit which he brought to it. Being on his way
to the General Assembly, he stopped over the Sabbath in a congregation,
where vital religion was at a very low ebb. The minister, having heard of
Mr. Smith's tenriflo manner of preaching, intimated to him that one of his
more moderate sermons would be most likely to prove acceptable to his
people. Mr. Smith, after giving out an impressive hymn, and offering an
unusually fervent prayer, arose to preach ; and, as he arose, cried out with
a strong voice, '*Fire, Fire, Fire!" The congregation, alarmed and agi-
tated, glanced towards every part of the building, above and around. *' If
the very mention of the word," continued the preacher, "so startles you, —
if the mere apprehension of it excited by the voice of a stranger so dis-
turbs you, what will it be to encounter the reality ? ' Who can dwell with
everlasting bumbgs?' This is my text." He delivered one of his most
thoroughly awakening discourses ; — a discourse which is said to have been
the means of effecting an entire change in the spiritual views and ministe-
rial labours of the pastor, as well as of producing an extensive revival of
religion. The minister often mentioned the circumstance afterwards, with
tears of gratitude to Ood for having thus sent his servant among them.
At one of the first Communion seasons in the Western wilderness, Mr.
Smith was present. An inmiense concourse of people were drawn together
from a widely dispersed settlement. The services were conducted in a
grove adjoining the meeting-house; as this primitive sanctuary could
scarcely have contained a tithe of the people. Such arrangements for con-
ducting Sacramental meetings in the woods continued for many years after-
280 Tsa^Bwrrmws.
wards. The Commuiiioii Beryioe,whioh wm, at tliai fioie, genfinlly mqm
protraoted than at preient, was, in the oaae to which I refer, dosed late in
the afternoon of a long snmmer day, Mr, Smith rose to deUyer the olosing
address. Bat the attention of the andienoe was not a little distraoted.
Considerable numbers, having many miles to go in order to reach their
homes, were risbg and dispersing, — ^some setting out on foot, some going
to their horses, some disengaging their horses' bridles from the branches of
the trees, and some already mounted and riding in different directions,^ —
presenting altogether rather a piotaresque and strikmg scene. Mr. Smithy
struck with the whole aspect of things before him, raising his clear and
piercing yoioe to a loud and thrilling pitch, commenced after this manner:-^
"One word to those who are now retiring, and who cannot remain longer
with us — we are told that when this Supper was celebrated for the first
time, none retired from the place until all was over, but Judas. If there
be any Judases here, let them go; but let them remember that what they
have seen and heard here thb day will follow them to their homes, and to
perdition, if they go there.*' The effect, it is said, was like an electric
shock: they all, with scarcely an exception, returned to their seats, and
hung upon his lips with fixed attenlion, until the benediction was pro-
nounced.
If the foregoing account of this eminent serrant of God be deemed wor-
thy of a place in the work you have undertaken, and be thus rendered in
any measure instrumental in promoting an increased degree of love to
Christ and to the souls of men, among the living ministry, or those who
are hereafter to enter the sacred office, it will be an abundant compensation
for the time and trouble expended in its preparation by
Your brother in the Gospel,
JOSEPH SMITH.
Mr. Smith had a son, Danid^ who was bom in Wilmington, De., about
the year 1772, and was seven or eight years of age, when his parents
removed into Western Pennsylvania. About the age of sixteen, — there
being no Academy in the West, he accompanied his fitther to one of the
meetings of the Synod of Virginia, and was there transferred to the care of
the Rev. Dr. John Blair Smith, then President of Hampden Sidney Col-
lege. It was under the ministry of Dr. Smith that he became hopefully
pious. Having graduated, probably in 1791, he returned to his father's,
and after spending some time in the study of Theology, was licensed to
preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of Redstone, November 14, 1792.
He was ordained and installed by the same Presbytery, as pastor of the
Congregations of George's Creek, and the Tent, in Fayette County, on the
20th of August, 1794. Having laboured here, with great success, for
about four years, he removed to the Forks of Tough, in Westmoreland
County, and took charge of the Congregations of Rehoboth and RoundhiU,
then vacant by the death of the Rev. James Finley. Here he remained
until his death, which occurred on the 24th of August, 1808. He was a
well read divine, and an earnest and &ithful preacher. He wss the finther
of the Rev. Joseph Smith, D. D., the writer of the preceding letter.
jroQV Kora. K< Qf^
JOHN XING, D. D *
1767—1811.
JOHN KiNQ was bom in Ohesinut Leyel, Lanoaster Oonnty, Pa,., Decem-
ber 5, 1740. His father, Robert King, was a plain but respectable man,
xrho emigrated from Jrelandi and pnrohased the tract of land on which he
resided ^1 his death, which occurred a little after the year 1760. He was
a roling elder in the church to which he belonged.
At the age of thirteen, he commenced his classical studies at a grammar
school, at which he continued till he had become in a good degree funil*
iar, not only with the Latin and Greek Glassies, but with Logic, Metaphyi*
sics, and Moral Philosophy. His father feeling himself unable immediately
to bear the expense of giving him a collegiate education, — he engaged in
teaching a school in West , Oonooocheague, Cumberland Oounty, Pa., and
continued in this employment three years. Among his pupils, during this
period, was John McDowell, afterwards the Bev. Dr. John McDowell, Pro-
Yost of the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1768, the Indian war breaking out, his sister was killed by the sava-
ges ; and as his school* had considerably declined, he gave it up, and
returned to his native place. Here he continued till the autumn of 1764,
in no small perplexity as to. the course of life he should pursue. He had
not only had the benefit of a religious education, but had been the Subject
of early religious impressions, and had even joined the communion of the
church, while he was engaged as a teacher at Oonooocheague; but still he
seems to have been so dutrustful of his religious experience, that he eould
not feel satisfied that it was his duty to direct his attention to the Ohristian
ministry; and what added to hb discouragement was that his voice was
weak at best, and, for several preceding winters, he had suffered from
extreme hoarseness. In these circumstances, after having earnestly sought
the Divine guidance, and, as he thought, maturely revolved the subject: in
his own mind, he came to the conclusion that the Providence of God pdinted
him towards the medical profession. He went to Philadelphia^ and had
nearly perfected an arrangement for an apprenticeship with a physician
there, when he was induced, by the advice of a friend, not to come to a
definitive conclusion till he had taken the opinion of the Rev. Dr. Alison.
Accordingly, he called on Dr. A., and stated his case to him ; whereupon,
the Doctor warmly advised him to give up all thoughts of the study of
medicine, and to enter OoUege with a view to tiie ministry. After due
reflection on the way in which he had been led, and on what might reasona-
bly be inferred in respect to the designs of Providence concerning him, he
concluded to follow this advice ; and, accordingly, entered OoUege at Phila-
delphia in May, 1765. The OoUege was then under the care of the ^ev.
Dr. WilUam Smith as Provost, and the Rev. Dr. Francis Alisoo as Vice
Provost ; both of whom were acknowledged to be among the greater lights
of their time. Mr. King, after a year's residence at OoUege, commenced
Bachelor of Arts in May, 1766.
•AvtoUogmphlotl NotiMt.^MB. horn Bavk Dr. AzvUbsId Alaxsato.-^^lfoviB^ Ohonbai cf
Vol. HL 36
282 PBESBTrXRIAK.
On leaying OoUege, ho returned home, and applied himself to the stady
of Theology till March, 1767, when he entered on his trials for the minis-
try, in the Seoood Presbytery of Phibidelphia. He was lioensed to preaoh
in Angnst following. The snooeeding &11 and winter he was engaged in
preaohing at New London, Pa., and within the boands of the Newcastle
Presbytery. On paying a visit to Oonococheagne, his former place of resi-
dence, he received an invitation to settle there ; and having accepted it, was
ordamed to the work of the ministry, and installed Pastor of the Ghnrch in
that place, by the Donegal Presbytery, in May, 1769. From this chaise
he never removed, till he resigned it shortly before hb death.
For the last six years of his life, he was greatly afflicted and debilitated
by a rheumatic affection, which baffled the skill of all his physicians, and
finally broaght him to the dose of his earthly pilgrimage. During fonr
years of this time, he continued his labours in the pulpit, and when unable
to stand, delivered his discourses in a sitting posture. His death was accel-
erated by a fever which, in conjunction wiUi his inveterate rheumatism,
soon removed him from the earth. He died July 5, 1811, in the seventy-
first year of his age.
In April, 1771, he was married to Elisabeth, daughter of John McDow-
ell, one of the elders of the Church of which he was Pastor. She proved a
tender and faithful help-meet to him during the residue of his life, and in
the protracted illness which preceded his death, watched over him with most
exemplary conjugal affection. He died without issue.
The Trustees of Dickinson Oollege, in consideration of his hig^ attain-
ments as a general scholar and a theologian, conferred on him, in 1792, the
degree of Doctor of Divinity, — a distinction well sustained by his public
performances and by the public opinion.
FROM THB RBV. DAVID ELLIOTT, D.D.,
PBOVS880B Xir TBM AJUOaBAXY THB0UH2ICAX. EMKIMAXT,
AxLBOKAirT, February 22, 1860.
Dear Sir : Although I was the immediate successor of the Rev. John King,
D. D., in the Oongregation of Upper West Oonooocheague> at Meroersbarg, Pa.,
my acquaintance with him did not commence until within a few years before his
death. During that brief period, however, I had, from frequent intercourse with
him, the most favourable opportunities for forming an estimate of his character
and opinions. Being a man of very social habits, fond of conversing on theolo-
gical and other subjects, and free and unreserved in the expression of his views,
it did not require a long series of years to become &miliarly acquainted with the
prominent traits of his character, and to form a pretty accurate judgment of the
variety and extent of his attainments. But even on this most fiivourable aspect
of the case, I would fbel some hesitancy in complying with your request in regard
to a notice of this venerable man,— owing to the short period of my acquaintance
with him, — were it not that I feel aided in the task by my recollection of the fre-
quent recitals respecting him, which met me at every stage of my pastoral labours,
among the intelligent people of his former charge, confirming and extending the
opinions which I had formed fit>m my own observation. The access also which I
have had to some of the recorded memorials of his talents and learning, and to the
testimony of many of his brethren in the ministry, has strengthened my convie
tions of the correctness of the views which I had taken of his eharacter, and
seems to render it proper that I should comply with your request, and itoush
such statements as the truth will JustiQr, and thus aid in perpetuating in the
JOHN KIKO. 283
Obnrbh the memory of %n able and fiuthlbl mixiiater of the Gospel of Jesuii
Ohriflt.
Br. King's mind was eridenUy not of the brilliant order. He was mnob more
intellectaal than imaginative. Nor were his intellectaal efforts distinguished so
much by great energy, as by their solidity and well sustained application to
their appropriate objects. He was capable of dose and logical processes of
thooght, and whenever he undertook to investigate a subject, howeyer difficult
and abstruse, he did it with marked ability. Eridence of the truth of this
observation is found both in the published and unpublished productions of
his pen.
As a preacher, Br. King possessed but little popularity beyond the bounds of
his own pastoral charge. This was owing chiefly to two causes. The one was a
weakness of voice and hoarseness which totally disqualified him for producing
any oratorical effect. The other was his style, which was too philosophical and
involved for popular impression. That portion of his congregation, however,
whose minds were disciplined to habits of thinking, and who had ceased to
regard the defects of his manner, highly appreciated the rich evangelical instruc-
tion with which his discourses abounded, and the ability and earnestness with
which he illustrated them, and enforced them upon the attention of his hearers.
As a theologian, his acquirements were fkilly recognised by his brethren and
the churches. Hence he was frequently resorted to by candidates for the minis-
try, many of whom he assisted, by his instructions, in their preparation for the
sacred office. Some of these, who afterwards attained considerable distinction
in the Ohurch — ^I have heard speak of him in terms of high commendation, as a
man of strong mind, and an able and well read theologian.
But Br. King was not a mere theologian — ^lie had a taste for scientific pursuits,
and his domestic cares being few, — having no children, he had fiivourable oppor-
tunities for improvement in the different branches of literature. With ,the
Boman and Qreek classics he was familiar, and had a considerable acquaintance
with the Hebrew and French languages. He was well skilled in Mental and Moral
Philosophy, and had paid more than usual attention to the Mathematics and
Natural Philosophy, particularly to Astronomy and Chemistry. This last
branch of science he seems to have cultivated with much care. Of this I find
some evidence in a characteristic letter of his, under date of September, 1811,
addressed to the celebrated Br. Thomas Cooper, late President of South Caro-
lina College, the countryman and friend of Br. Priestly. Br. Cooper was a man
of various and extensive literary acquirements. Being a jurist as well as a
physician and a chemist, he had been appointed to the Presidency of one of the
Bistrict Courts of Pennsylvania, but was subsequently removed from that
station by an Act of the Legislature. Not long after this occurrence, he was
elected to the Professorship of Chemistry in Bickinson College, Carlisle, in
opposition to the wishes of many of the Board of Trustees, particularly of the
derical members, who resisted his appointment on the ground of his reputed
hostility to religion. It was known ttom his writings, published in England,
that he was a Materialist, and that some of the positions which he assumed, bore
strongly in the direction of Atheism. Br. King, who was a member of the
Board of Trustees, but too infirm to meet with them, finding that a very strong
prejudice existed against Br. Cooper, and that his appointment was not likely
to be set aside, addressed to him the letter to which I have referred. In this
letter, after noticing the importance of Chemistry as a branch of Natural Philo-
sophy, and its practical utility, Br. King enumerates the various absurd and
impious theories which had been broached on the subject by difibrent writers of
the infidel school. He then refers to the favourable opportunity which Br.
Cooper would have, in his official position, "of counteracting these foolish and
imjnous condnsiobs, and of inculcating the grand principle of all science,'' and
^94 Pit<s»Tnwuir.
oondades I7 suggMtliig' the propriety; «f Us prepwing a-^crariis oflMtaim^
" shewing the lueB and ends of the 8GienGe> and pointing out its snbBenrien^ to
feligioniin oommon iHth: all the other works of 'God.'' Although the letter,
judg^ Qrom the original draft which has ftUen into my handa, la written with-
out much attention, to style, it shows a good measure of acquaintanoe with the
subject, especially with the absurd reasonings and conclusions of those, Who,
through theproonptings of infidelity, misapi^ied its principles. Dr< Cooper, as
was reported at the time, reoeiyed the letter kindly, spoke of it as the production
of an %ble man, and expressed his intention to reply to it. No answer, howeyer,
was ever reoeiyed.
As a writer. Dr. King was somewhat, though not eztensiyely, known. The
question respecting the lawfulness of a man marrying his deceased wife's sister
was discussed by him in a Dissertation published in the Assembly's Magazine.
He was^^lso the author of a Oatechism on the Syidenoes of the Ohristian Reli-
gion,'fbr the benefit of young people; and of a Dissertation on the Prophecies,
particularly in reference to the period in which he wrote. These yarious publi-
cations were all highly creditable to the author's learning and abflity, although,
in regard to the last, subsequent eyents proyed that, like many others, he had
mistaken the application of some of the predictions which he undertook to
interpret.
During the progress of the great reyiyal in Kentucky and Western Pennsyl-
yania. Dr. King took a yery liyely interest in the work, and is known to haye
corresponded yery folly on the subject with an intelligent and pious lady,-^n
intimate acquaintance and friend of his own, then residing in the West. I haye
made some efforts to recoyer this correspondence, but as yet without success.
From scraps of it which I haye seen among the Doctor's papers, I doubt not but
it contains much that is yaluable, and that his riews were sudi as are in accord-
ance with sound reason, and the dedsiona of the Word of Gk>d.
The Theology of Dr. King was strictly Oalyinistic. And, although he culti^
yated a kind and fraternal spirit towards Christians of eyery name, he neyer
sacrificed his principles at the shrine of a spurious charity. In the Judicatories
of the Church he was esteemed a wise and discreet counsellor. He was well
msquainted with the goyemment and discipline of the Church, and haying been
always punctual in his attendance on the meetings of her Courta, he had acquired
much experience in the practical application of her laws. At an early period
after the formation of the General iuBsembly, he was called to preside oyer that
body, — ^his name appearing as the fourth on the list of her Moderators.
In his social intercourse, he was remarkable for the cheerfolness of his dispo-
sition, and the unaffected simplicity of his manners. In him religion appeared
in her most agreeable and attractiye ibrms. As exhibited in his example, her
ways were indeed ways of pleasantness, and all her paths peace. His house
was eyer a place of desirable resort to the ypung people of his pastoral charge.
And while, by the cheerfolness and yiyacity of his conyersation, he contributed
to their enjoyment, he, at the same time, ayailed himself of the opportunity to
impart to Uiem some wholesome adyice, and to lead their minds to a serious con-
sideration of the interests of their immortal souls.
For a number of years before his death, Dr. King suffered seyerely from
inflammatory rheumatism. But, although the bodily pain which he experienced
from this source, was often excrucisting, his intellectual powers remained unim-
paired to the last, with the exception of some transient disturbances, occasioned
by the yiolenoe of the foyer which accompanied his disease. It wad my priyi-
lege to yisit him, a fow weeks before his death ,^-when; he entered into an ani-
mated conyersation in respect to his own religious riews, foeling8,'and prospects.
He said he could see nothing in his past life which afforded him any ground of
dependance, and that he had no hope from any other quarter thab the glorious
JOHN Kurd;, 286
seheme of redemption, as reyealed in Ood^a Word,— -«dding wiUi < emphMis —
'* No other way— ^nothing will do but this.'' During his illness, he spent mndi
of his time in prayer for himself and others. His desire to depart was so. strong
that he greatly feared he did wrong in indulging it; bat remarked that he stroYe
and prayed against an improper solicitude, wishing to wait the Lord's time.
For some time after his disease had assumed a more threatening and danger-
ous character, his slumbers were almost constantly disturbed by frightfi^ and
distressing dreams. Being much perplexed on account of them, he prayed ear-
nestly to God for deliyerance, and it was not long until he found relief. And
what led him to remark the special goodness of God in the case was, that he
continued to eijoy tranquillity in sleep, although the fever, which might be sup-
posed to have been the occasion of his dreams, remained in unabated force until
a very short time before his death. ** For so He giveth his beloved sleep."
About ten days before his death, I was present at his bedside, and upon his
remarking that he suffered much, I observed that I hoped he received abundant
support from above. " Oh, yes," said he, " I am greatly supported." He then
went on to say that he had been strongly tempted to doubt with respect to the
foundation of his hopes, and whether that system on which he had been accus-
tomed to rely, was agreeable to the word of God; but, convinced that he had long
before examined carefully into the grounds of his belief, he sought comfort in
prayer to God, and it was but a short time until he found it. '* I liave now>"
said he, with a tear of Joy sparkling in his eye, — " I have now no doubt of my
love to God« He is the most glorious of all objects-— no other can be compared
to Him." For several days before his departure, he was able to converse but
little; but, by detached expressions and significant gestures, he gave pleasing
indications of the presence and sustaining power of religion in his soul. His
latter end was peace; and in his death, as well as in his life, we have the most
satisfiEustory evidence that though now " absent from the body," he is ** present
with the Lord."
I am, dear Sir, with great respect.
Yours in Christian bonds,
DAYID ELLIOTT.
CHARLES CUMMINGS.
1767— 1812.
FROM THE HOK. DAVID CAMPBELL,
oovzuroB or viBonriA.
Mowpixx, March 26, I860.
Hy dear Sir: I have received your letter of the 11th inst., and will,
with much pleasure, comply with the request contained in it, so fioc ul
am able.
Hy father was among the first settlers on the waters of HoIston,,andI
was born on the banks of that river, thirty miles Bast of Abingdon. In
1782, my father removed to Abingdon, and I have resided witiiin the bounds
of the Sinking Spring Congregation ever since. I was bapiiic^ by tbe
Bev. Charles Cummings, the first Pastor of this Congregation, attended his
preaching from early life, and was intimately acquainted with him for more
than twenty years previous to Ids death, and with all his jGuiuly. .Smoe his
death, I have hi|d aeeess to his papers and family records. ^
286 PBASBTTEBIAJr.
In early life» I was intimately aoqnainted with many of the old membohi
of his congregation, who were living when he took charge of it in 1712.
From them I learned some of the hota which you ?rill find in the following
sketch ; but most of them were either within my own knowledge, or obtained
from authentic records within my reach.
Ohablxs CuMHiNas was an Irishman by birth, and came to America
in early manhood. It is believed that he obtained his education chiefly in
this country. On coming to Virginia, he took up his residence in one of
the counties in the Northern Neck. Here, on the 18th of February, 1766,
he married Miss Milley Garter, daughter of John Carter, Esq., of Lancas-
ter Oounty. He was now studying Divinity, and was licensed to preach by
the Presbytery of Hanover, on the 18th of April, 1767. He was thor-
oughly educated, — well acquainted with Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and
possessed, for his day, a very large and valuable library. A call was pre-
sented for his services from the Congregation of North Mountain, in Augusta
County, and he was ordained the 14th of May, 1767. Here he laboured
in the ministry five years.
In 1772, he received a call from the people of Holston, formmg the Smk-
ing Spring and Ebbing Spring Congregations, and including all the Pres-
byterians of the Holston Valley, from the head of Holston to the Tennes-
see line, or as it then was, — the line of North Carolina. I have seen the
original call. It was a most admirably drawn document of the kind, and
was signed by about one hundred and thirty heads of families, — all members,
I believe, of the church, and all men of highly respectable standing in
society ; many of whom afterwards became much distinguished. This call
he immediately accepted, removed with his family, purchased land in the
neighbourhood of where Abingdon now stands, and settled upon it. His
first meeting-house at Sinking Spring was a very large cabin of unhewn
logs, from eighty to one hundred feet long by about forty wide, and it stood
near the middle of the present grave yard. It was there for some years
after the second meeting-house was built, and had a very venerable appear-
ance.
Mr. Cummings was of middle stature, about five feet, ten inches high*
well set and formed, possessing great personal firmness and dignity of char'
aoter. His voice was strong and had great compass ; his articulation was
deliberate and distinct. Without apparent effort, he could speak so as to
be heard by ten thousand people. His mind was good, but not brilliant.
He understood his own system well; spoke always with great gravity, and
required it from all who sat under the sound of his voice. He would not
tolerate any movement among the congregation after preaching commenced.
He uniforxnly spoke like one having authority, and laid down the Law and
the Gospel, as he understood them, with great distinctness.
When he came to Holston, he was about forty years of age. At this
time the Indians were very troublesome, and continued to be so for several
yeion ; and, generally, during the summer months, the funilies were obliged,
for safety,,to collect together in forts. The one to which he always carried
his family, was on the land of Captain Joseph Black, and stood on the first
knoll on the Knob road South of Abingdon, and on the spot where my own
gate now stands. In the month of July, 1776, when Us &mily were in
the fort, and he, with a servant, and waggon, and three neighbours, was
going to his fa«n, the party were attacked by Indians a few hundred yards
CHARLES GUMMINGS. £87
from the meeting-house. Oreswell, who wasdriviDg tiie waggon, was killed
at the first fire of the Indians, and, during the skirmish, the two other
neighbours were wounded. Mr. Gummings and his servant man, both of
whom were well armed, drove the Indians from their ambush, and, with the
aid of some men from the fort, who, hearing the firing, came to their relief,
brought in the dead and wounded. A statement has been published in a
respectable historical work, that, on this occasion, Mr, Cummings lost his
wig. I am able, from the testimony of one who was present when ISx,
Chunmings came into the fort, to say that the story has no foundation.
From the year Mr. Oummings commenced preaching at Sinking Spring,
up to about tiie year 1776, the men never went to church, without being
armed, and taking their fiimilies with them. On Sabbath morning, during
most of this period, it was Mr. Gummings' custom — ^for he was always very
neat in his personal appearance — to dress himself, then put on Yob shot
pouch, shoulder his rifle, mount his dun horse, and ride off to church.
There he met his gallant and intelligent congregation, — each man with his
rifle in his hand. When seated in the meeting-house, they presented alto-
gether a most solemn and singular spectacle.
Mr. Gummings' uniform habit, before entering the house, was to take a
short walk alone, whilst the congregation were seating themselves. He
would then return, hold a few words of conversation at the door with some
one of the elders of the church, then would walk gravely through this
crowd, mount the steps of the pulpit, deposit his rifle in a comer near him,
lay off his shot pouch, and commence the solemn services of the day. He
would preach two sermons, — having a short intermission between them,
and then go home.
The congregation was very large, and preaching was always well attended.
On sacramental occasions, which were generally twice a year, the table was
spread in a grove near the church. Here he preached for many years, and
until far advanced in life, to one of the largest, most respectable, and most
intelligent, congregations ever assembled in Western Virginia. His Gongre-
gation at the Ebbing Spring was equally respectable and intelligent, but
not so numerous. What portion of his time he devoted to this congregation is
.not known. It included the families at the Boyal Oak, and for twenty
miles in that direction. The meeting-house was built in the same manner
as that at Sinking Spring, but not so large.
Mr. Gummings was a zealous Whig of '76, and contributed much to kin-
dle the patriotic fire which biased forth so brilliantly among the people of
Holston in the war of the Bevolution. He was the first nisimed on the list
of the Gommittee, appointed by the freeholders of Finoastie Gonnty, to
prepare an Address to the Gontinental Gongress, setting forth the wrongs
and oppression of the British government. After the formation of Wash-
ington Gounty, he was chairman of the Gommittee of Safety for that county,
and took an active part in all its measures. He was also Ghaplain of the
first army that penetrated Tennessee against the Gherokee Indians.
Mr. Gummings was a leading minister of the Presbyterian Ghuroh in
South-western Virginia, and that part of North Garolina which is now East
Tennessee, and was, for many years, the Moderator of the Presbytery.
The Bev. Samuel Doak and he might be called the fathers of that part of
the Ghurch in their day.
288 PBBSBTTEBIAK.
Mr. Gamminga died in.lfgroh, 1812, in about the eightieth jw^ci Ub
age, leaving maoy and most respeotable deeeendante. He waa a abeeie
and exemplary Chriatian, and a John Knox in hia eneigy and leal in anp-
port of hia own partionlar Chnrch. He nayer loat eight of hia ohjeot, and
alwaya marched direotlj np to it, with a foil front and determined mUL He
performed a great deal of miaaionary labour, through an extenaiye diatriot
of the conotry, beyond hia immediate field, which waa of itaelf large, —
once, at leaat, going into Kentucky. The firuita of hia labouraatill remain.
He waa a Preabyterian of the old atamp, rigid in hia faith, atriot in the
obeervanoe of the Sabbath, and fiuthful in teaching hia children and i
▼anta the Catechiam.
With great reapect,
I am your obedient aervaat;
DAYID CAMPBELL.
JOHN WITHERSPOON, D. D.*
1768—1794.
John Withb&bpoon waa a aon of the Bey. Jamea Witherapoon, minia-
ter of the pariah of Yeater in Scotland, fourteen milea Eaat of Edinburgh.
He waa probably the youngeat child of hia parenta, and waa bom on the
6th of February, 1722. Hia parentage and family connectiona were highly
reapectable. Hia father waa an uncommonly able and faithful miniater, and
waa eapecially diAtinguiahed for the accuracy which marked his public dia-
couraea. On the mother'a aide, he traced an unbroken line of ministerial
anceatry, through a period of more than two hundred yeara, to the great
Reformer, John Knox. The father liyed aeyeral yeara after the aon waa
aetiled in the ministry, — ^probably till aometime after hia remoyal to Pua-
ley, and had the happineaa of aeeing him one of the ableat and moat influ-
ential miniatera of the Ohurch with which he waa connected.
There ia reaaon to belieye that the aubject of thia aketch experienced the
power of religion upon hia heart at a yery early period ; and that thia waa
to be attributed mainly to the faithful inatrumentality of a deyoted Ghriat*
xaa mother. At an early age, he waa aent to the public achool at Had-
dington, where be soon eyinced remarkable powera ; and ao rapid waa hia
progreaa in the yaridua branchea of study, that, at the age of fourteen, he
waa franaferred to the Uniyeraity of Edinburgh, where he continued till be
had reached hia.twenty-firat year, when he waa licensed to preach the (}oa-
pel. He waa aaaodated, at the Uniyeraity, with aeyeral peraona, aa fellow-
atudenta, who .aflkerwarda had a aplendid career in life,-^auch aa Blair,
Bobertaon, John Srakine, &c., in the miniatry, and many othera diatm-
guiahed in the other liberal profeaaiona. His collegiate courae fully
anawered the expectationa which had been awakened by hia earlier deyelop-
menta ; and, at the Diyinity Hall particularly, he atood unriyalled for per-
apicuity of atyle, logical accuracy of thovght, taate in aacred critioiam, and
• Skvtoli ofUt Llf* tj B«r. Dr.
ty Ilk toflu— MS. MoMlr ty Dr.
Stufaopt amlth.— Dr. Bodgva*
JOHK WITHEBSPOOK. 289
all those, mtellecttml qaaUtaes and aooompluhmentfli whioL, in after Ufe,
conspired to render him one of the great men of the age and of the world.
Soon after he lefib the Uniyersitjr, he was licensed to preach, and was
invited to become assistant and successor to his yenerable father in the
parish of Yester ; but having, in 1744, received a presentation from the Earl
of Eglinton to the parish of Beith in the West of Scotland, he, with the
unanimous consent of the people, was ordained in the early part of the fol-
lowing jear as minister of that populous parish. Here he laboured with
mueh acceptance, receiving many tokens of public and private regard, and
many honourable testimonies to his distinguished usefulness. Not long
after his settlement, he was married to Elisabeth, daughter of Robert
Montgomery, of Oraighouse, in Ayrshire. It is a somewhat singular fact
that, previous to his marriage, he addressed an intelligent and excellent
young lady of Edinburgh, who rejected his proposak ; and yet not only a
warm friendship, but a most interesting correspondence, was kept up between
them, till the close of his life.
Soon after his settlement at Beith, the Pretender to the British throne
landed in the North of Scotland, and was speedily joined by a devoted band
of Highlanders, who espoused his cause; and a general alarm was spread
throughout the country. The famous battle of Falkirk, which proved so
disastrous to the Royal army, was fought, January 17, 1746 ; and among
those whose curiosity carried them to witness the encounter with the rebels
on that occasion, was Mr. Witherspoon, accompanied by a youth who went
in the capacity of a servant. Unsuspicious of danger, he remained in a
situation in wMch he was, with a number of others, made a prisoner. After
continuing some time in custody elsewhere, the prisoners were confined in
the castle of Donne, then in possession of the rebels. Having been kept
in close confinement about a fortnight, and subjected to no small anxiety
and some suffering, he at length succeeded in obtaining his release. It has
been supposed by some that his nervous system, previously enfeebled by
intense study, received a shock from the confinement occasioned by this
curious and perhaps rash adventure, from which it did not soon, if ever,
fully recover.
Mr. Witherspoon's first appearance as an author was in the year 1768, in
an anonymous publication, entitled ** Ecclesiastical Characteristics, or the
Arcana of Church Policy." It was aimed at certain principles and prac-
tices, which then prevailed extensively in the Church of Scotland, and by
its acknowledged ability, and particularly by the keenness of its satire, it
produced a great sensation, and acquired immense popularity. Within less
than ten years after it was first published, it had passed to a fifth edition.
This was followed, soon after, by another able perfpmumce, entided, a
** Serious Apology" for the Characteristics, in which he avows himself the
author of the work which he defends. Jn 1766, he published his ** Essay
on Justification," which has always been regarded as one of the ablest Oal-
vinistio expositions of that doctrine in any language* The year afber this,
he published his ** Serious inquiry bto the nature and effects of the
Stage/ -rT-whioh also has had a wide and enduring popularity. This work
had>it8 origin in the fact that Mr. John Home, a elergyman .of the Church
of. Scotland, had published his well linown^ tragedy of Douglass, which was
acted rapestedly in the Edinburf^ Theatee^ wliere « numbecof the author's
derioal frienda^aiteiidecl- ■ An ecclesiastical procedurain respect.tQ the case
Vol. in. 87
290 PBESBTTSBIAN.
restdted in his relinqaiBliment of the sacired offioe, wd hia deyoting himadf
exolcudvely to literary pmamte.
In ^e year 1767, he was invited by the people of Paisley to become the
Pastor of the Low Ohnroh in that town. Bat the Presbytery of Paisley,
in consideration of his being the reputed author of the ** Cha^aoteristios,"
(for he had not at that time avowed himself the author,) refused leave to
grant even a call to be made to him, notwithstanding the unanimous and
earnest application of all conoeroed. The matter, however, was referred,
by way of complaint, to the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr; on which occa-
sion he made a most masterly speech, (preserved in the American edition
of his works,) in which, without either admitting or denying that he was the
author of the work complained of, he managed with such address as not
merely to obtain a formal acquittal, but to place his opposers in an exceed-
ingly awkward and undesirable attitude. The Presbytery that had accused
him, were obliged to sustain his call, to install him as Pastor of the Church
to which he bad been invited, and to receive him as a member in good stand-
ing, with their own Body; and he was chosen Moderator of the Synod of
(Glasgow and Ayr, the very next year after he had pleaded his cause before
it. After having retained his pastoral charge in Beith for twelve years, he
was installed at Paisley, January 16, 1757, as the successor of the Bev.
Robert Finley, who was translated first to the North-west parish in Glas-
gow, and subsequently to the Theological chair in the University of that
<»ty.
During the period of his ministry in Paisley, besides discharging with
great fidelity the ordinary duties of his office, he preached on various pub-
Uo occasions, and several of these Discourses were printed. In the early
part of 1762, he published a Sermon, entitled " Seasonable advice to young
persons," — which subsequently involved him in no small difficulty. The
following account of the afiair is from a communication procured, in 1836,
by Dr. Green, from a gentleman in Scotland, who in early life sat under
Dr. Witherspoon's ministry, and who had access to the best sources of infor-
mation on the subject on which he writes : —
"On Saturday evening, immediately preceding the dispensation of the
Lord's Supper, in February, 1762, a few young men in the town connected
with the higher ranks, were enjoying themselves in a convivial manner,
when, amidst their madness and folly, they went through such religions
forms of a profane celebration of that holy ordinance, as caused the inha-
bitants of the town to make the event that had taken place the subject of
general conversation, and to denominate the pro&ne action a mock Sacra-
ment : and I well remember that when the affiur was ever mentioned, it
was always in stipng terms of abhorrence of the blasphemous and wicked
deed. In accordance with the general feeling of the respeetable inhabitants
of the town, Dr. W., a man of keen feelings, and actuated with laudable
leal for the mterests of piety, in about a fortnight after the afGur had hap-
pened, preached a Sermon on the subject of * Sinners sitting in the seat of
the Scornful,' in which he alluded in pointed terms to what had so lately
taken place ; and firmly believing the reports that had gone abroad, he pul^
lished die Sermon with an introductory address to the public, with strong
remonstrance, and giving the names of the persons accused. This gave
great offence, and a prosecution was commenced against the Doctor for defi^
mation of character, which went against him, — ^the proof having been con-
JOHN WITHSBSPOON. 291
ridered bj ihe jadges defeotive ; and he was sabjeoted to a fine or expenses
whieb brought him into pecuniary difficulties, which called his friends to
come under engagements. From these engagements it has been generally
understood his sureties were not relieved, when the Doctor left Scotland in
1768 ; and the impressiop on my own mind was, from the reports I heard
in early life, that, had it not been for the friendly interference of those par-
ticularly interested in his welfare, he would have been prevented at the time
from leaving the countiy."
The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him, in 1764, by
the University of Aberdeen ; and the degree of Doctor of Laws, in 1784,
by Yale College.
In 1764, he went to London and published his *' Essays on important
subjects," &c., in three volumes. These volumes were composed of pieces
which had been previously published in Scotland, with the exception of his
celebrated Treatise on Begeneration, which appeared now for the first time.
By this means, he became more extensively known as a theological writer,
and his fame reached far beyond his own country. Meanwhile, he was
engaged in an extensive literary correspondence, both at home and abroad ;
and such was his reputation that he was invited to take charge of a congre-
gation in Dublin, of another in Botterdam in Holland, and of a third in
Dundee in his own country ; but he seems unhesitatingly to have declined
them all. He made a brief visit to Holland, previous to his coming to
America, but for what specific object does not appear.
Shortly after the death of President Finley, in 1766, the College of New
Jersey chose Dr. Witherspoon to be his successor ; and the letter informing
him of his appointment was enclosed to Bichard Stockton, Esq., a member
of the Corporation of the College, then in England, with a request, that ho
would visit him in Scotland, and deliver it in person. Dr. Witherspoon,
however, owing, as has been said, chiefiy to the reluctance of his wife to
leave her native country, at first declined the appointment ; but, as she
became subsequently reconciled to such a step, and other circumstances also
seemed favourable to it, he signified his willingness to accept the office, provided
the invitation should be renewed. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees pro-
oeeded immediately to re-elect him, and, in notifying him of the appoint-
ment, expressed a wish that he would enter upon his office at the earliest
period that might consist with hla convenience.
It being now decided that he should cross the Atlantic, he was called to
ihfi painful office of taking leave of his pastoral charge. This he did on the
16th of April, 1768, in an excellent Farewell Discourse, which was pub*
lished, first in pamphlet form, and afterwards as part of a volume. It was
entitled "Ministerial fidelity in declaring the whole counsel of Ood." The
volume referred to was published at Glasgow, on his leaving the country, —
partly as an expression of regard for his congregation ; and another was
published at Edinburgh, about the same time, entitled, *' Practical Discourses
on the leading truths of the Oospel." The Discourses in the latter volume
are so arranged as to form a concise system of Practical Divinity.
Dr. Witherspoon, having made i^ the arrangements requisite to his
departure from the country, embarked from London, with his fiunUy,
about the 20th of May. The precise date of his arrival in Philadelphia
does not appear, though his voyage seems to have been a somewhat protracted
one. From the flnends of the College in Philadelphia he received a most
292 PSESBTTERIAK;
eerdial welcome, and, after having rested there for a^hort tinie,he was
escorted to Princeton, where he wee met with eyiery demonstration of respect
and Mndness* On the evening of his arrival, the college edifice was bril-
liantly illmninated; and not only the whole village, but the adjacent conn-
try, and even the Province atlarge, shared in the joy of the occasion. To
tMs most kind and gratifying reception the Doctor referred, with great
modesty, and in a most appropriate manner, in the first sermon which he
preached after his accession to the Presidency.
Dr. Witherspocm was inangnrated as President of the Oollege, at a
meeting of the Trustees, called specially for the purpose, on the 17th of
August, 1768 ; and, either at that meeting or that which was held in con-
nection with the Annual Commencement on the 28di of the following
month, (it is impossible now to determine which,) he delivered an Inaugural
Address in Latin, on the ** Union of Piety and Science." It was soon
ascertained that the highest anticipations which had been cherished in res-
pect to his influence in promoting the'inieresta of the Oollege were likely
to be realised. He introduced, at once, many important improvements in
the system of education, and gave to the institution a more vigorous intel-
lectual tone, and greatly increased its reputation abroad. Particularly, he
introduced the method of teaching by lecture, which seems previously to
have been unknown to our American Colleges i and he actually delivered
Lectures on four different subjects ; — namely. Eloquence and Composition,
Taste and Criticism ; Moral Philosophy ; Chronology and History ; and
Divinity. Though it was impossible that he should go very much in detail
into these several subjects, yet they were all handled in a luminous and able
manner, and showed at once the versatility and the industry of the lecturer.
Dr. Witherspoon rendered most important service to the College by
increasing its library and philosophical apparatus, and introducmg the study
of the Hebrew and French languages. When he came from Europe, he
brought with him three hundred choice volumes as a donation to the College ;
and this number was afterwards considerably increased, by his influence
with his friends in England and Scotland. He was also chiefly instrumental
in obtaining the first Orrery constructed by the celebrated Bittenhouse, as
well as a tolerable philosophical apparatus from Great Britain, the former
of which was greatly injured, the latter nearly ruined, in the war of the
Bevolution. In 1772, a teacher of Hebrew was appointed in the College,
but he seems never to have entered on the duties of his office, and instruc-
tioh was given in this department by the Doctor himself. A teacher of
French actually was employed, though it was left at the option of the
students whether or not to avail themselves of his instruction. Dr. Wither-
spoon was himself an adept in French as well as Hebrew, and spoke and
wrote the former with almost as much ease and elegance 'as his mother
tongue.
• When * Pr« Witherspoon entered on his office, ihe fimds of the College
wefe'Bo much reduced that the Trustees ^duld. not immediately fiilfll their
pecuniary engagements to him^, and could only instruct^ their Treasurer to
answer these engagements < by the >fii«t money thair should >eom'e'ihto his
handsi - Inthis exigenoyithelhHitormade'a journey through New England;
I»i«aohingm sevehdrplaoMi particularly in moStiof ilie^el^hiii in BoMon,
«na* iteUQitiBg' private* benefiiiHix^tts k^dd olB ttti^^ 09llBglfi> < libifr iMi tiuoi ii
iSkammi ^^unds w«rtf D^oiriimtedt iuPtiKbtiesuli «Hii#)apjpUeattoak A suIh
JOHN WITHBHSPOOK. 2l96
Boription was opened*- abo in South- Oarolina and Yii^nia, and* some toth^r
of the OolonieB, chiefljr throngh the influence of Dr. W^whioh resulted.in
a yet further increase of the college funds. In consequence of thi^fareur-
able change in the financial state of the institution, its debts were all paid,
and a small surplus remained in the treasury. As the President had. in
the mean time, accepted the Professorship of Divinity, in addition to his
other duties, the Trustees added fifty pounds to his salary, making it then
four hundred. As it was thought important to increase the number of
actiye Professorships, — in order to which a still greater increase of the
College funds was necessary, the Doctor was solicited to visit some of the
West India Islands, to ask contributions ; but, after ho had consented to
perform the mission, he was providentially prevented from undertaking it.
His colleague, the Bev. Charles Beatty, actually went, and diod immediately
after reaching Barbadoes, and before he had had opportunity to make any
collections. It was in connection with this enterprise, which was finally
altogether abandoned, that Dr. Wiiherspoon wrote and published, in
pamphlet form, " An Address to the inhabitants of Jamaica, and other West
India Islands, in behalf of the College of New Jersey."
Dr. Witherspoon, in connection with his duties as President, discharged
with great fidelity those of a Christian minister. In the third and fourth
years of his administration, a remarkable revival of religion took place
among his pupik, in which a considerable number, who subsequently occupied
high places in both Church and State, were supposed to have a share. He
sustamed the office of Pastor to the Church and Congregation of Princeton,
during the whole period of his Presidency, — preaching to them regularly
twice on the Sabbath, and performing other duties incident to the pastoral
relation. But, at the time when he seems to have been most zealous and
abundant in his pastoral labours, a circumstance occurred which seriously
threatened the termination of both his ministry and his life. In the midst
of a discourse in the church at Princeton, he was seized with an affection of
the brain, which obliged bim to come to a sudden pause ; and, supposing
himself able to leave the church, he opened the pulpit door, and almbst
instantly fell helpless into the pew at the foot of the pulpit stairs, in which
his family were sitting. He was but little injured by the fieill, and the
violence of the fit which occasioned it soon subsided, — ^followed, however,
by a dizziness which, for some time, produced considerable embarrassment in
public speaking. This b supposed to have been the first fit of the kind
(Dr. Bush expressed the opinion thai it was of the nature of apoplexy)
that he experienced; though it would seem from a letter addressed by him
to a friend in Scotland, that he was afterwards the subject of several similar
attacks ; which, however, were probably all included within- quite a limited
period.
The 17th of May, 1776, was appointed by Congress to be observed as a
day of Fasting, witih reference to Uie peculiar circumstances of the country*
On this occasion. Dr. Witherspoon preached a Sermon, (afterwards pub-
lished and dedicated to John Hancock, President of Congress,) entitled
'* The dominion of Providence over the passions of men.*' This Sennon
went fully into the great political questions of the day, and was received on
this side the water with the highest approbation ; but it gave serious offence
to his friends in Great Britain, and an edition of it was subsequently pub-
294 PBESBTTERIAK.
liahed in Glasgow, aooompanied by notes, in which its author was repre*
sented as a tmtor and a rebel.
The Proyincial Congress of New Jersey met a few days after this sermon
was preached, and Dr. Witherspoon was a member ; though he retained his
connection with it only eleyen days. During this period, howevto, the
important measure was adopted of arresting, and putting an end to the
authority of, the Boyal Gk)yemor of the Colony, — ^William Franklin. On
the 22d of June^ the day after the case of OoTcmor Franklin had been
disposed of, he was elected, in connection with five others, to represent the
Colony of New Jersey in the Continental Congress ; — ^with instructions, if
it should be deemed expedient, to join with their associates in declaring the
United Colonies independent. For this responsible place he was eminently
qualified, not only by the clearness and vigour of his intellect, the calmness
of his judgment, and bis indomitable strength of purpose, but by an
uncommon fanuliarity with the forms of public business, acquired firom the
position which he had held as a leader in the Church Courts in his native
country.
Immediately after his new appointment, he left the Provincial Congress ;
and, having made the necessary preparation for leaving Princeton, repaired
to Philadelphia, where he joined the General Congress, a few days before
the Declaration of Independence. His mind had been previously made up
as to the propriety and the necessity of that measure ; and, after he became
a member of the Body, he replied to a suggestion that there might be dan-
ger of precipitancy in coming to so important a result, that, in his judg-
ment, the country was not only ripe for the measure, but in danger of
becoming rotten for the want of it.
Dr. Witherspoon represented the State of New Jersey in the General
Congress, for six years; that is, during the sessions of 1776, '77, '78, 70,
'81, and '82. At the close of the year 1779, he resigned his place, from a
conviction of his inability to sustain the burden of expense incident to hold-
ing it, as well as from a desire to give his particular attention to the revival
of 'the College. He was, however, at the expiration of a year, prevailed
on to return to the same field of duty ; influenced no doubt chiefly by the
critical state of the country, and the urgent solicitations of those who knew
his wisdom in counsel, and his energy io action. It would be impossible,
within the space allotted to this sketch, even to bint at the numerous impor-
tant and diversified services which he rendered to his country, during this
stormy period. He had great influence as a speaker, but he reserved it
chiefly for great occasions. Notwithstanding he had the happiest talent at
extemporaneous debate, all his more important speeches were maturely con-
indered, and carefully written, and then delivered memoriter; and yet in a
style of such perfect freedom, that no one would have suspected that he had
written a word. Many of the most important State papers of the day, in
relation to such intricate subjects of political economy as the emission of
paper currency, the mode of supplying the army by commission, Ac., were
from his pen ; and though he differed on some pobts from some of his illus-
trious associates, and was overruled by them, it has been remarked that he
lived to see his own views, in almost every particular, justified by a mature
and enlightened public sentiment. He was a leading member of various
important committees, and many of the prominent measures adopted by
Congress are understood to have had their origin with him. Neitiier his
JOHN WITHEBSPOON. 295
oounge nor hiB oonfidenoe eyer &Itered in the darkest day ; for it was sus-
tained net only by a naturally beroio spirit, and unwavering Oliristian integ-
rity, bat by an andoubtlng conviction of the rectitude of bis country's
cause. During the whole period in which he was occupied in civil life, he
never laid aside his ministerial character, but always appeared in every rela-
tion as became an ambassador of God. The calls for the observance of
days of Fasting and Prayer were, commonly, if not always, written by him.
He preached also, on the Sabbath, whenever opportunity offered, and
always, when, for a short period, he visited his family. Nor would he con-
sent, like some other clerical members of Congress, to change, in any particu-
lar, the dress which dbtinguished his order ; wishing not only to remember,
but to make others remember, that he was a " minister of (}od*' in a sacred
as well as in a civil sense.
During a considerable part of the Revolutionary war, the operations of
the College had all been suspended ; the principal edifice had been made a
barrack, alternately for each of the contending armies ; the library and phi-
losophical apparatus had been destroyed ; and the funds of the institution,
which had always been scanty, had been reduced, by the depreciation of
paper money, to a mere pittance. In these circumstances, the Trustees of
the College resolved to send a commission across the water, to solicit dona-
tions, both in Oreat Britain and on the Continent; — ^a measure which, as
the event proved, was premature and ill-judged, as the deep-rooted preju-
dice in Great Britun, occasioned by our national revolt, had not had time
to subside. Dr. Witherspoon and the Hon. Joseph Keed, President of
Pennsylvania, were appointed to this trust ; and, in the month of Decem-
ber, 1788, they sailed for London with a view to execute it. But, on their
arrival in England, they found every thing adverse to the object of their
mission. Dr. Franklin, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Laurens, who had served with
them in Congress, and who were then in Europe in a public capacity,
strongly discouraged their application, on the ground that it was not merely
unpromising but undignified. Many of Dr. Witherspoon's old friends were
still living, but nearly all of them were more or less embarrassed by th&
change of relations which had occurred in consequence of the part he had
taken in the American cause. It is not known that he preached, or was
invited to preach, except in Paisley, his former place of residence. Having
become fully satisfied that nothing of any moment was to be done for his
main object, and probably also that a long visit was scarcely desirable even
to his friends, he resolved on a speedy return to America; and, after a
prosperous voyage, he reached this country, in the latter part of August,
or the early part of September. Though he received a small amount from
some few individuals, it was by no means sufficient to cover the expense
of the mission.
In the autumn of 1789, Dr. Witherspoon was called to a severe domes-
tic affliction in the loss of the wife of his youth. She was a person of dis-
tinguished piety, amiable temper, fine social and domestic habits, and
endeared to all who had the privilege of her acquaintance. She had been.*
the mother of ten children, all of whom were bom in Scotland: only five-
of these, however, — three sons and two daughters, survived to accompany
their parents to America. Hb son James^ a young man of great promise,
was Aid to General Nash in the Bevolution, and was killed at the battle of
Germantown. His son John was settled for several years as a practitioner*
296 FRSSBTTSSIAK/
of jnedioine at St. StephenB Parish,; 8. 0., and is believddto ^baye died ai sea
between New York and OharleBton in the aamtner of 1796« Hie 0on Damdf
who graduated with diatingwiahed honour, at the early age of fourteen, mar^
ried the widow of General Naeh, and wae snooessfnlly engaged for several
years in the praotioe of Law at Newborn, N. 0. The daughters of Dr.
Witherspoon, by his first marriage, were iinna and Frances, The former
was married to the Bev. Br. Samuel Stanhope Smith, Dr«|Wi(herspoon's
suooessor in the Presidency of the College ; the latter, to Dr. Ramsey, the
Historian of South Carolina* :
About a year and a half after the death of his first wife, he was married
to a young widow, the relict of a Br. Bill of Philadelphia, and: the step-
daughter of the Rev.: William Marshall, of the Associate Ohuroh.: The
difference of age between him and his second wife was not less than five and
forty years. By this marriage he had two daughters, one of whom died in
infancy, and the other was married to the Rev. James 8i WoodSj a Presby-
terian minister of Pennsylvania, and is deceased.
Buriog the latter part of Br. Witherspoon^s life, he suffered mueh from
pecuniary embarrassment, in consequence of having ventured some impru-
dent speculaUous in Yermout lands. The fact that he was unable to meet
his pecuniary engagements subjected him, for a time, to no incousiderable
reproach ; though there was never the slightest ground for questioning his
integrity. Not lung before his death, there was a rigid examination of all
his accounts in connection with the College, of which, tor many years, he
had been almost the sole financial agent ; and, though the result was not,
in all respects, quite satiafactory, it left not the shadow of a suspicion upon
his good name.
After his return from Burepe, he was occupied till the dose of lifcrin
attending to the concerns of the College, in superintending the cultivation
of his farm, on which he resided, two miles from Princeton, and in endea-
vouring to adjust his secular affairs in Vermont and other places* But, for
some time previous ta his death, he was utterly deprived of his vision. His
blindness commenced first in one eye, from a contusion received in a storm
at sea, on his voyage to Britain in 1784. It was occasioned in the other,
some six or seven years afterwards, by a UXL from a horse^ when . traveUing
through Vermont in search of lands which he had purchased in that State.
His voyage to Europe, • and his speculations in Vermont lands, may be
regarded as, in several respects, the two most unfortunate enterprises of his
life.
But even after he was thus providentially shut out firom the light of day^
the activity of his mind still continued, and his labours, in some depart*
ments, suffered little abatement. Particularly, he kept up an extensive
oorrespondenoe, both in this country and in Scotland, in doing wluch he put
in requisition an amanuensis, for at least one day in the week% He was
aocustomed also to preach every third Sabbath ; and, on the preoeding Satu]>*
day evening, he heard the sermon read which he had selected for the next
day. Mid such was his power of memory that, though the sermon had been
written many years before, he could, after a single^ reading, deliver it,
without any embarrassment, and with little or no variation from. the manu*
script
His descent to the grave was comparatively easy, and' his views and feel-
ings in reference to. the i^proaehing change werottrdy.and imblimely>'Chri»>
JOHN WITHEBSPOOK. f/^fj
tmn. The malady whioh twrninated his life waa the dropsy* He pveeided
at tlie Aanual Oommenoement on the 2dd of September, 1794^ with his
usual propriety and dignity, and on the 15th of Novembery^^^less than eight
weeks after, closed his earthly career. He was yery little confined 'to* his
bed, and retained the fall exercise of his mental faculties to the last. At
the time of his death, he hiEMi adyanced nine months and ten^ days in his
seyenty- third year. His FuDeral Sermon was preached by one of the old-
est Trustees of the Oollege, and his particular friend, the Key. Dr. Rodgers
of New York : the character or memoir of Dr. Witherspoon, which appears
in connection with the sermon, was, at Dr. Kodgers* request, supplied by the
Bey. Dr. Samuel Stanhope Smith.
Dr. Witherspoon was undoubtedly one of the ablest, as well as one of the
most yoluminous, writers of his time. Beside the works already mentioned,
he published a large number of Sermons, Lectures on Moral Philosophy^
on Eloquence, on Diyinity, on Education, Letters on Marriage, an Essay
on Money, a work called the '* Druid," in a succession of nutoberSj yarious
Speeches in Congress, and other short articles haying a bearing on the state
of the country, &c., &o. Some of these, howeyer, were not published till
after his death. The only complete American edition of his works was
published in three yolumes, octavo, in Philadelphia, in the year 1808, under
the supervision of the Bey. Dr. Green. An edition in nine volumes, duo-
decimo, was published in Edinburgh, in 1315.
The following sketch of Dr. Witherspoon 's character is extracted from an
unpublished Memoir of that eminent man, by the late Bev. Dr. Ashbel
Ghreen, who was, for many years, on terms of great intimacy with him, and
had every advantage for estimating him correctly. I am indebted to the
Hon. James S. Oreen of Princeton, for the privilege of making this use of
his venerable father's manuscript.
" In person Dr. Witherspoon was of the middle size. He was fleshy, with
some tendency to corpulence. His limbs were weU proportioned, and his com-
plexion was fair. His eyes were strongly indicative of intelligence. His eye-
brows were large, hanging down the ends next his temples;— occasioned, proba-
bly, by a habit he'had contracted of pulling them, when he was under excite-
ment. Like many other clergymen in our country, he laid aside a ftill bottomed
> wig at the commencement of our national independence; and thenceforward wore
his own natural hair, which covered the whole scalp, and at its lower extremity
was confined in an artificial curl or buckle. His countenance' united gravity
with benignity, in its general expression; and this made the change in its aspect j
when he frowned, more sensible and impres8ive« The features of hisfhce pos-
sessed much of what painters denominate character; and of course he was^ a
good subject ibr the pencil. His likeness by the elder Peale is striking. His
public appearance was always gracefttl and venerable, and in promiscuous com-
pany he had more of the quality called presence^ than any other individual with
whom the writer has ever had intercourse, Washington excepted. His dress w'as
becoming; avoiding equally the extremes of slovenliness lihd foppery. In the
pulpit he always wore a band, and when he preadied at Princeton, a gown like-
wise^
** It is belieyed that he was^ naturally of high iempeti with ardentfbelingr and
strong passionsi. These, Jiowever, had^ in an eminent' tdegree,' been subdaedffbjr
reason, religion, and habitual vigilanoe. In the numerous controversies and'ooi-
lisionsof party in which he was engaged, e8pedatty4n.the<earl!er"{part'ef his
public life, his antagonists never ^ined an advantage against' him, hyiprotocation.
Vol ITT. 38
298 PREBBTTEBIAK.
He withstood them with unemhemssed fimmess, and replied to them with delib-
eratioD, sagacity, and consummate address. • • • Against a known enemy it
appeared to he a maxiin with him not to ntter any thing anHiYoarahle, unless it
was plainly and imperiously demanded by duty. • * • His wit was never
permitted to wound or embarrass the unoffending. He was not proftise in its use
in the common intercourse of society; and when indulged among friends, its
object was to enliven conversation, and promote innocent hilarity. Its severity
was reserved to scourge vice, impertinence or arrogance, whether public or private.
He conscientiously avoided every appearance of it in his sermons.
" Dr. Witherspoon was more a man of genius than of learning. He was indeed
a scholar, and a ripe one; yet many have exceeded him in various' and extensive
erudition, whom he greatly excelled in native powers of mind, and in their vigor-
ous, efficient and useful exercise. His reading was select rather than general and
promiscuous. • • • What he had read he had well digested, and had formed
a system of opinions for himself on various branches of knowledge. • • •
That he was not deficient in imagination and wit, his satirical productions fhmish
unequivocal evidence; and that his memory was prompt and tenacious, was mani-
fest from the facility with which he committed to it his precom posed sermons and
speeches, and the confidence with which he could rely on its fidelity to enable him
to deliver what he had committed, with accuracy and without embarrassment,
before a public audience. His chief mental strength, however, lay in his reason-
ing faculty. He was a powerful thinker. When he took hold of a subject, he
searched it to the bottom; and, in discussing it, he often treated it both analyti-
cally and synthetically. • • • His sagacity in discerning the character from
indications which generally pass without notice, was truly wonderful. It was
difficult for any individual, though previously a perfect stranger, to practise upon
him any impositions. It was also surprising to observe with what readiness he
could see through a complicated and perplexed subject, estimate its real merits
and bearing, disentangle it, and present it in its true aspect. Prudence was a
marked feature of his mind and character. He spoke and acted with great dis-
cretion, and readily perceived when speech or silence, action or forbearance, was
demanded by circumstances. But when satisfied that an object was both proper
and feasible, he pursued it with steady but cautious perseverance.
" In a notice of Dr. Witherspoon that appeared in the Edinburgh Christian
Instructor of October, 1829, the following statement appears in respect to his
Christian character : — ' His personal religion is well known. Few men were ever
more anxious to walk dose with Qod, and by a solid, righteous and pious life,
to adorn the doctrine of the Gospel. Beside the daily devotions of the closet
and the femily, he regularly set apart with his household the last day of every
year for fiuting, humiliation, and prayer. He was also in the practice of spend-
ing days in secret exercises of this kind, as occasions require^.'
• " Dr. Witherspoon's Theology was Oalvinistic, according to the system of
Oalvin himself, subject only to the modification which it has received in the
standards of the Presbyterian Ohurch. Between him and Oalvin, indeed, there
was, in talents and improvements, no inconsiderable resemblance. Both were
men of great intellectual powers, both eminent divines, both distinguished heads
of literary institutions, both erudite civilians, and both keen satirists. Dr.
Witherspoon certainly possessed a peculiar talent for presenting the Oalvinistio
doctrines in a popular form, and in a manner the least offensive to those who
do not hold them; while he maintained them firmly in their substance. He was
heard to say that the British critics who reviewed his works before he left Scot-
land, treated him with quite as much candour and respect as he had any right to
look for from men whose religious sentiments so widely differed firom his own.
" Dr. Witherspoon was among the very few memorUw preachers, whose man-
ner is free from all indications that they are repeating what they have learned by
JOHN WITHEBSPOOK. 299
heart. There wis absolntely nothing of snch an appearance in his ddiyaiy.
This was doubtless in part owing to the simplicity of his language, and to the
fiust that he did frequently intermingle extemporary remarks, iUustratiye of
what he had precomposed, or with a view to give it enforcement. He also made
use of an expedient calculated to &vour the appearance of unpremeditated
address — it was this: — ^never to repeat from memory any considerable portion of
Scripture, howeyer perfectly recollected, but to open the Bible and read it from
the sacred text. He earnestly recommended this to memoriter preachers, as
calculated to increase the impression of the passages quoted, as well as to break
the monotony of delivery. His own manner of doing it much resembled that of
an eloquent lawyer, when quoting his authorities. • • • • His action in
speaking never exceeded a graceful motion of his right hand, and the inclination
of his body forward, when much in earnest. His greatest defect in public
speaking was the lowness of his voice when he began. For, although his voice
was remarkably articulate, the distant part of a large audience could not hear it
distinctly, for a few sentences at first; afterwards, if profound silence was pre-
served, all that he said was easily audible by every attentive hearer. He affirmed
that the nature of his voice required this gradual increase of its volume, to pre-
vent its feiling altogether. Tet, take his pulpit addresses as a whole, there was
in them not only the recommendation of good sense and powerful reasoning,
but a gracefrilness, an earnestness, a warmth of affection and solemnity of man-
ner, especially toward and at their close, such as were ^Iculated to produce the
very best effects of sacred oratory. Accordingly, his popularity as a preacher
was great. The knowledge that he was to conduct a public service usually flUed
the largest churches in our cities and populous towns, and he never foiled to com-
mand the profound attention of his audience. • • • • His public prayers
were admirable; plain in language, correct, methodical, abounding in a choice
selection of scriptural phrases, and uttered with the appearance of deep devo-
tional feeling. When offered on special occasions, their appropriateness was
singularly exceUent. His manner of introducing and administering the Sacra-
ment of the Lord's Supper surpassed any other performance of that sacred ser-
vice which the writer has ever witnessed.
'* As President of a College, it is believed that no one ever heard him utter
a word in derogation of the merit of his predecessors. He lauded every thing in
their arrangements, which he thought exceUent. He made no violent or ostenta-
tious changes; but introduced his improvements as silently and imperceptibly as
was practicable. They mainly consisted in rendering the college course better
adapted to qualify his pupils for active life, than it had been previously to his
accession to the Presidency; and in this he was unquestionably and highly suc-
cessful. He inculcated on the youth committed to his care, that transgressions
directly contravening our duty to God, were always to be regarded as of the
most aggravated kind; and, next to this, he placed deliberate offences against the
authority of the OoUege. These were in all cases to receive the severest discip-
line; while juvenile indiscretions, though not to be regarded as entirely innocent,
were to be treated with great lenity. A sacred regard to truth, in an offender
under discipline, was ever to be viewed as no inconsiderable mitigation of a delin-
quency. His official life was of considerably greater duration than that of his
five predecessors, taken in the aggregate— their whole term of incumbency was
less than eighteen years; his was more than six and twenty.
** Dr. Witherspoon, idthough habitually a student, and much given to pro-
found thought, was nevertheless far from being a recluse. He greatly enjoyed
social intercourse, and might justly be denominated a companionable man.
That presence which has been mentioned, as attending him in formal company,
or in intercourse with strangers, seemed, in a great measure to leave him, when
among his friends and intimate acquaintance. With them he engaged in fr^
800 .PBESBTTSBIA3F;
oQAveraation, permitting it to take its natnnil cenniey and jirompfly ebntrifiVititt^
his part to keep it up; yet nevei^ engroesiog it, but allowing to others ' their propte
share.. He abounded in anecdote, and had a ielieitotia talent ]]!• giving it ihe fall
force of intended Application. • • • • The young as well as the old loved
lus society; and when; the company consisted exclusively; or diiefly, of the former
dass, it was his delight to impart such information or instruction a» he thotight
might be useAil to them; and this he did in a manner the most happily adapted
to give impression to what he uttered, and to fix it in the memory. There was
more of his Scotch dialect in his common conversation than in his public speak-
ing— ^in both it was very perceptible, yet not extreme in either, nor to his friends
unpleasant.
'* Dr. Witherspoon professed to be fond of agricultural occupations. In the
mani^ment of his Tusculum farm, however, it is believed, he did not excel.
Of scientific farmers he once said, jocosely, that they could generally assign very
good' and plaosible reasons why their experiments did not succeed. He not
improbably belonged to this class himself. But in horticulture he was suocess-
fol. He had practised it in Scotland; and few better kitchen gardens than hifi at
Princeton were any where to be seen. Walking in this garden on a certain
occasion with a lady of his acquaintance, she said to him,-*-'' Why, Doctor^ I
see no flowers in your garden." ** No, Madam," was the reply, — " no flowers
in my garden, nor in my discourses either."
** He was fond of horseback exercise, and till he was blind, used it, in good
weather, as a daily habitt Often, while a member of Congress, he preferred to
make his journey to Philadelphia on horseback, rather than by Stage^ Indeed,
the writer does not remember ever to have seen him, while his eyesight con-
tinued, in« vehicle of any kind. He accounted himself a good horseman, but,
on a certain occasion, was reported to have remarked tbat, in Scotland, it would
have been considered as a great indecorum to put a horse on a gallop; that he
never did it there, nor in America, except on one occasion, and that was after
Congress, on the approach of the British army to Philadelphia, had adjourned
to Lancaster, and he, with other members, was fearful of being overtaken by the
enemy's cavalry — a case of necessity sur^y, for which, even in Scotland, a dis-
pensation might have been granted him.
** He was very punctual in the observance of all appointments, and very intole-
rant of those who were not A man in his neighbourhood had made with him
an engagement to meet him on some business at a certain place, on a day and
hour that were specified. He, as usual, was punctual to his engagement— the
other man did not attend at all. They shortly after met by accident, when it
was found that the delinquent individual could assign no suflBicient reason for his
neglect, but said,-^" I will positively meet you. Doctor, on such a day and
hour," naming them. " No Sir, you will not,"— was the reply—" I must change
my mind greatly, if I ever make with you another appointment, while I livei"
THOIUlS BEAD. 301
THOMAS READ, D. D *
1768—1828.
Thomas Bead was born in Maroli, 1746, in the then Proyinoe of Mary-
land, bnt within the present limits of Chester Oonnty, Pa. His parents,
John and Eleanor Bead, emigrated from Ireland to this country, seyeral
years before his birth. His fi&ther was a substantial yeoman in the old
Country, and a landholder and prosperous farmer in this ; and the children, —
six in number, were tnuined up under a strongly religious influence, while
they. enjoyed some of the best opportunities which the country afforded for
the culture of their minds. One of the brothers studied medicine, settled
as a practitioner in Philadelphia, and was rising rapidly to eminence, when
he was swept off, in 1798, by the yellow fever. Two others migrated, soon
after the Beyolution, to the Western part of Pennsylyania, where they
have left large and highly respectable &milies.
The subject of this notice was educated at the old Academy of Philadel-
phia, since merged in the University of Pennsylvania, — ^then under the
Presidency of Dr. Francis Alison. After graduating, in the year 1764, he
commenced his career in life as a Tutor in the Classical Aoademy of New-
ark, but a few miles from the place of his birth. That institution, — the
most distinguished in the State, continued an object of great interest with
him till the close of life. He was early chosen its President, and held the
office ever afterwards. The cause of Christian education was always near
his heart, and he laboured for it almost as earnestly as if he had had no
other vocation.
In 1768, having received license to preach, ho commenced officiating as a
supply for a small congregation, at a place called Drawyer's Creek, in Del-
aware. In 1772, he received from them a unanimous call, and was regu-
larly installed by the Presbytery as their Pastor. He found them a small
and feeble band; worshipping in a log-house in the midst of the wilder-
ness ; but within about six years after his installation, they had erected a
capacious brick building, and ultimately became one of the most fiourishiog
congregations in the State. During the many years that his connection
with this congregation continued, he laboured zealously through the week
as a missionary, taking a circuit of from thirty to forty miles ; and these
labours were attended often with manifest tokens of the Divine favour. He
had several invitations, during this period, to settle over congregations that
would have been considered in every respect more desirable ; but his strong
attachment to . his people led him to decline them all, until, in the year
1798, he received a cidl from the Second Presbyterian Church in Wilming-
ton, De., which he thought it his duty to accept. He acoordii^ly did accept
it, and removed thither the same year.
In the year 1796, he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the
College of New Jersey. ^
As he entered his new field of labour, he quickly found that it was the
scene of great disorder. Political disputes were conducted with extreme
ranoonr, and.embittered much :af;ihe intercourse .of sociefy,; On one occik
302 FBESBTTERIAN.
sion, not long after his Bettlement, a mob aasembled aronnd the ohnroh door,
daring the hour of seryioe, and with the sonnd of dmm end fife, and other
tmnnltnoos demonstrations, snooeeded in interrupting the pnblio worship.
He paused in the midst of his. sermon, left the pulpit, walked out of the
house alone, and by the oalm and solemn dignity of his appearance, joined
to a kind and Christian expostulation, he succeeded in effectually dispersing
the riotous assemblage. Some of the individuals concerned in this disgrace-
ful affair, afterwards became his devoted friends.
In the war of the Bevolution, he showed himself »n earnest, active
patriot. Early in 1776, he and forty or fifty others, — ^his neighbours and
parishioners, fitted themselves out, shouldered their muskets, and marched
to Philadelphia. Had they arrived a few days earlier, their services would
have been gladly accepted; but the success which had attended the Ameri-
can arms at Trenton and Princeton, rendered it unnecessary that they should
be enrolled.
On the 26th of August, 1777, the British army disembarked at Elk
Ferry. General Washington was encamped near Stanton, about six miles
below Wilmington, and nearly equidistant from the point of disembarkation
of the British, and Chads Ford, where the battle was subsequently fought,
on the 10th of September, about twenty miles from the camp. A
smart skirmish at Couch's Bridge, between the outposts, and within four
miles of Washington's encampment, gave the first intimation of the dan-
gerous proximity of the enemy. To give battle in such a position, with our
raw troops against disciplined veterans, would prove ruinous — to retreat by
the high road, with a well appointed and regular army hanging on the rear,
might prove more disastrous than a pitched battle. Every preparation was
instantly made for departure; but how to retreat was the great question,
and it demanded a speedy solution. The geographical knowledge of the
immediate neighbours did not extend much beyond the limits of the contig-
uous farms, and the roads to the nearest markets ; and no informaUon that
could be relied upon could be obtuned. Between eleven and twelve o'clock
at night, a council of war was called ; and, while the greatest anxiety pre-
yailed. Col. Duff, a gallant officer, then acting as one of Washington's staff,
entered the room, and exclaimed instantly, — "I know the man that can
extricate us." " Mount and bring him without a moment's delay," was the
order ; and immediately the Colonel was on his way to execute it. After
travelling about five miles, he arrived at the house of Mr. Read, at twelve
o'clock at night, roused him from his bed, and in ten minutes his horse was
at the door, and he in the saddle, and both under whip and spur for the
oamp. In half an hour, they had gone over the whole distance, notwith-
standing an exceedingly bad road, — and Mr. Bead was introduced to Wash-
ington in his tent. He mapped out for the Oeneral, within a small space,
the whole adjacent country, with all the cross and by-roads accurately
marked ; and by this means the Oeneral effected a safe retreat to the Bran-
dywine. The above incident is related on the authority of Dr. Bead
l^nself.
Dr. Bead resigned bis pastoral charge in the year 1817, — the ohnroh hav-
ing greatly mormsed in both numbers and moxal influence under his minis-
try. After this, ha preached, by request, as often as his health permitted,
to the First Presbyterian Ohuroh in Wilmbgton, which had long been with-
out a Pastor. In the year 1821, his right hip was partially disloeated by
THOMAS READ. 303
a &11, and he neyer afterwards folly reooyered the use of it. He died in
great peaoe, Jane 14, 1828.
Before he was yet of age, he married in Philadelphia a yery aooom-
plished lady, — the daughter of an English gentleman by the name of Stan-
ley. She died in 1781, after haying become the mother of six children, —
three sons and three daughters. He was married a second time in 1788,
to Mary, daughter of Alexander Stuart, of Bohemia Manor, in the State
of Maryland. By this marriage he had fiye children, — two sons and three
daughters. The second son by the first marriage was a physician, and died
in the prime of life. The eldest by the second marriage commenced the
practice of Law in Lancaster, Pa., but died unexpectedly a short time
after. The other sons were farmers. Dr. Bead left a widow who died as
she had liyed, a model of Christian character, on the 11th of December,
1845, in the eighty-fourth year of her age.
PROM THE HON. KEN SET JOHNS,
OHAXOSLLOaOf DSLAWABB.
Nkwoabtlb, February 26, 1862.
Dear Sir: I regret to say that my recollections of the Rev. Dr. Read, formerly
Pastor of the Church at Wilmington, are not such as to enable me to express
any opinion of my ovm^ as to what he was in his yarious public relations. When
he occasionally supplied the pulpit in the Presbyterian Church at Newcastle, he
was generally the guest of my iather, and was always highly esteemed and
beloyed by the whole family. I have always understood that he was a learned
theologian, an instructive and useful preacher, and an affectionate, zealous and
faithful pastor. His personal appearance I remember — ^it was such as was well
calculated to leave an impression — like one of old, he stood above his fellows.
His manners at once dignified and affectionate; his countenance expressive of
intelligence and benevolence; his head covered with the wig of olden time, so
becoming the aged, — altogether presented to your view the venerable minister.
Regretting that my recollections of him are so meagre, and so little to your
purpose,
I am respectfully and sincerely yours,
KENSET JOHNS.
FROM THE RBY. JAMES LATTA.
Pabkssbubo, Pa., April 22, 1861.
My dear Sir: It was not very long that I was in the ministry before the death
of Dr. Read; but I had still some opportunities of knowing him, and my recol-
lections and impressions, such as they are, J am very willing to communicate to
you.
Dr. Read was a man of commanding appearance, of remarkably dignified
manners, and altogether clerical in his deportment. He was a fine example of
hospitality. His brethren were always most cordially welcomed to his house,
and he never failed to make himself highly agreeable to them. Toung minis-
ters particularly received from him very special attention, and he seemed to
delight in proffering them his counsel and aid in every way in his power. As a
preacher, he was plain, instructive and impres&ive— his object evidently was not
to gain popular applause, but to win souls to Christ;— not to please the fimcy,
but to enlighten the understanding, and improve the heart and life. And his
every day deportment was a fine illustration of the truths which he preached—
his example and his instructions both pointed in the same dinetion.
S04 FRKSBTtBBIAK.
Daring the ministry of Dr. Bmd, theMwere eeT«na*«hittdie8 in t]ui<Ne#eft»*
tie Presbytery withoat a pwtor. Oyer these he eaeroisedft mjm^JUibM and
tender care^ • He freq^iently Tisited them, administered to t|iem;the ordinanoa of
the Supper, baptised their children, and encouraged and assisted the^ resi^ect-,
iye Sessions in the exercise of discipline. These churches reposed great confi-
dence in him, and looked up to him with a sort of filial interest and afildction.
And his own church, though they regarded him with great esteem and reyer-
ence, and placed a yery high estimate upon his labours, both in public and pri-
yate, yet consented cheerfully that other less fayoured churches in the i^egioh
should share with them, to some extent, the benefit of his sendees. I irill
only add that Dr. Bead was greatly respected throughout the region in which
he lived, and the few who still remember him are ready to bear a grateful tes-
timony to his substantial and enduring worth.
Tours yery respectftilly and affectionately,
JAMES LATTA.
JOHN WOODHXJLL, D. D »
1768—1824.
John Woobhull was bom in Suffolk Oounty, L. I., January 26, 1744.
His &ther was John Woodhull, — a man of great respectability and influ-
ence in the part of the country where he liyed ; and his mother was Elisa-
beth Smith, daughter of William Smith,* of St. George's Manor, L. I^ The
Woodhull family emigrated from Great Britain to Long Island, at an early
period, and are descended from illustrious ancestors through a long line
which is traced back to the Norman conquest.
The subject of this notice was fitted for College in a grammar school,
under the care of the Key. Caleb Smith, — his maternal uncle, minister at
Newark Mountains, (now Orange,) N. J. In the year 1762, he entered
the Freshman class in the College of New Jersey. At the age of about
sixteen, just as he was commencing his preparation for College, hb mind
was directed with some degrep of earnestness to the subject of religion ;
but it was not till a powerfd reyiyal ooourred in College, while he was an
undergraduate, that he belieyed himself the subject of a spiritual renoya-
tion. His exerciser then, and for some time afterwards, are represented as
haying been of a strongly marked, eyen extraordinary, character ; and when
he went to oonyerse with President Finley with reference to msUog a pub-
lic profession of his fiuth, the President is said to haye regaraed his case
with uBOonnBon interest, as furnishing a remarkable illustration of; ihe power
of the Gospel.
HeNgradnated in 1766^' and almost immediately after pioceeded to F«gg*s
Manor,' for the purpose of pursuing his theological studies under the direo-
tion of the Rev. Jobs Blair. Here he contbued till the 'Sutbmer'of 1768,
when he was lioensed, <Atigust 10th,) by the Presbytef}[ of Ne^ouiilo, 'to
preaoh '-the' Gospel, fie oomin^nded his career as a preabher' with kti'oh'
Botofo than iuroal popnlai^ty ; and on ope oopasionabotrt sixty jleople boc^j^
bcfpcAdly piouSf in Mnaeqiiienc^ ,af li^arin^ him^j^roacli ft a pntm hoiis^'' '^
JOHN WOOBHULL. ^QS
He Boon receiyed soyenl calls to settle in the ministr j ; but the one which
he felt it his dnty to sooept was from the Leaoook Oongregation, Lancaster
Goanty, Pa. Here he was ordained and installed on the Ist of August,
1770,
In 1779, the large and respectable Congregation of Freehold, N. J. hay-
ing become yaoant bj the death of the Rey. William Tennent, — Mr. Wood-
hnll was called to be his successor. He accepted the call, and in due time
was installed oyer his new charge. This connection was terminated only by
his death.
In 1780, he was elected a Trustee of the College of New Jersey, and,
during a few of the latter years of his life, was the oldest member of the
Board.
In 1708, he was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Diyinity from
Tale College.
Dr. WoodhuU, for many years, in connection with the duties of the min-
istry, conducted a grammar-school, near his residence, which produced many
excellent scholars, some of whom haye since risen to distinction. He was
also, for a long time, in the habit of superintending the studies of young
men in their immediate preparation for the ministry ; but, after the estab-
lishment of the Theological Seminary at Princeton, in which he took a deep
interest, he declined all seryioe of this sort.
Dr. Woodhull enjoyed yigorous health, and continued hb labours without
interruption till near the close of life. He died suddenly at Freehold,
Noyember 22, 1824, in the eighty-first year of His age.
In 1772, he was married to Sarah Spafford of Philadelphia, — a step-
daughter of the Bey. Gilbert Tennent. She was a lady of great excellence,
and well fitted for the station she occupied. They liyed together more than
half a century. They had six children, — ^three of whom were in tiie libe-
ral professions.
Dr. Woodhull pubUshed a Sermon in the New Jersey Preacher, in 1818.
In the winter of 1818-19, while I was yet a student at Princeton, though
licensed to preach, I went, at the suggestion of Dr. Miller, to Freehold, to
pass a Sabbath with Dr. Woodhull. It was my first acquaintance with him,
and a letter from Dr. Miller was my introduction. I reached his hospita-
ble but rather humble dwelling, on Saturday eyening. He and his wife
gaye me a cordial welcome, and I soon found that I was to be amply
rewarded for my journey. The house which he occupied, stood, I think, in
an open field ; and he quickly told me that it was on or near the spot on
which was fought the &mous battle of Monmouth. It was the house in
which William Tennent had liyed before him, and where Whitefield had
often been a guest ; and I remember his saying that when something of
which he was spealdng occurred, ** Whitefield sat there, and Tennent sat
there." His reminiscences of the olden time, and especially of the eyents
of the Beyolution, seemed inexhaustible ; and what rendered them the more
interesting was, that he scarcely spoke of any thing of which he was not
himsdf a sharer or a witness.
I remember an interesting circumstance that he related to me in connee*
tion with his own personal history. He stated that, after he went to Fagg^
Manor to study Theology with Mr. Blair, he was strongly urged by some
pious young men from New England, who had been His dassmates in Col-
lege, to come and study with them under the direction of the celebrated Dr..
YoL. m. 39
8Q5 FBESBTTEBIAH.
BeUamy. So urgent w^re iliey in their request, that lie had oimoliided to
make the change, proyided it ^onld meet the approbntion of his fitther. He
aooordinglj went home, obtamed his father's consent, and made all his
arrangements to set out on a particular day for Bethlem, — the residenoo
of Dr. Bellamy. When the morning of the day came, he awoke, as he sap-
posed, in his usual health, but, on attempting to dress himself, found that he
was so ill that he could only fall back into his bed. It was the oommenoe-
ment of a seyere and protracted illness, which prevented him from fulfill-
ing his purpose to go to New England. When he recovered, he returned
and finished his preparatory studies under Mr. Blair. He considered this
oiroumstance as having given, in a great degree, the complexion to his sub-
sequent life.
He told me that he had the story of Tennent's trance firom his own lips.
While he was an undergraduate at Princeton Oollege, he said that a rebel-
lion occurred among the students, and as it was thought desirable that there
should be a meeting of the Trustees in reference to it, he was sent out to
Monmouth to request Mr. Tennent'a attendance. They started together
just at evening to come to Princeton ; and, shortly after they set out. Dr.
Woodhull said that he ventured to say to Mr. Tennent, that he had heard
that he had at some time been the subject of a remarkable trance, and, if
he did not object, he should be much gratified, if he would give him some
account of it. Mr. Tennent paused, and sud that it was a subject on which
he was always reluctant to speak ; but still he was willing to state to him
some of the particulars. He then went on and told the story at length ;
but it is not necessary that I should record it here, as it will be found in a
letter firom Dr. Woodhull, in connection with the notice of Mr. Tennent, in
this work.
I attended church on the Sabbath with Dr. Woodhull, and stood over the
spot where Tennent's remains rest. The old gentleman seemed as much
awake to all the hallowed associations of the plaoe, as I was, who had never
beeii there before. My visit was altogether one of great iuterest, and on
various accounts, never to be forgotten.
One of Dr. Woodhull's sons, Oearge Spaffinrd^ entered the ministry. He
was bom at Leaoock, Pa., on the 81st of March, 1778^ Havbg received
the elements of hb classical education under the instmctiott of his Cither,
he entered the Junior dass of the Oollege of New Jersey in the autumn of
1788, and graduated in 1790. After studymg Law two years, and Medi-
ciue one year, he became hopefully pious, and immediately after tesolved to
enter the ministry. He commenced the study of Theology under the djreo-
tion of his fkther, in the summer of 1794, and was licensed to.preaek the
GtMfpel on the 14th of November, 1797, On the Sth of Juna, 1798, he
was ordained to the work of the ministiy, and installed Pastor of the-Ohuzek.
at Oranberry, N. J. In the.spring of 1820, he received a oaU to tdce the
pastoral ebirgi of the Ohuroh in Princeton, and haviug aocepted it, was <
installed on the 6th of July of that year. Here he ronii^ied- twelve yeaiSy
and had an unoommonly successful ministry. In 1882^ he fetigpei his
ohaige, and shortly after aeoepted a oaU from IGddletoiiii Point,. N* J.,
where he spent the last two' yearn of his life. He died cf 4mrl4lfttver on
the 26th of Deoemben in the rixty-iMcond year of his afe, u4U^ H^UMp,
seventh of his miqjstry. He trat epdoently blameleffi i»d.eBM»plsij hi.Uai
ldb---'e9iinently peaeelid^ *&d' happy ia
JOHK WOODHULL. SffJ
FROM THE REY. JOHN HoDOWELL, D. D.
Phiulj>s£phiA| June 10, 1862.
Dear Sir : My acquaintanoe with the Rev. Dr. John Woodhnll commenced in
the spring of 1802, when I hegan my coarse of theological studies nnder his
direction. From that time I resided in his family for two years, and had an
opportunity of knowing him intimately in his priyate as well as his paUic rela-
tions. After I entered the ministry, I had often the privilege of meeting him,
and our intimacy continued unabated to the time of his death.
Dr. Woodhull had the adyantage of most men in his personal appearance. He
had a fine, tall, well proportioned firame, and his motions were easy and graoe-
ihl. His countenance was ezpressiye of vigour and intelligence, as well as hon-
esty and strengcn of purpose. His manners were free and agreeable, but never
lacking in dignity. He had fine powers of conversation, and could accommodate
himself with great facility to any circle into which he might be thrown. You
could not have been in his company, without feeling that you were in the pre-
sence of a well bred gentleman of the old school.
As a theologian. Dr. Woodhull was thoroughly Oalvinistic. I do hot think he
was very extensively read in Theology — certainly his library was very limited;
and yet he seemed to understand well the doctrines and the relations of his own
system. As a teacher, he moved pretty much in the beaten track, and had a
set of written questions from which he rarely departed in the examination of his
students. Still, his remarks were always sensible and weighty, and were rather
indicative of a naturally vigorous mind, than of a habit of dose application. He
generally had with him theological students, and among them were some who
have since attained to eminence in their profession.
As a preacher. Dr. Woodhull was popular and useful, but it may reasonably
be doubted whether he ever came up to the full measure of popularity or useful-
ness of which he was capable. He preached without very mature preparatioh,
tokd there was less variety in his sermons than could have been deured; but
there was always method, and appropriate scriptural illustration; while his style
of elocution was free and attractive. The probability is that if he had been a more
laborious student, his preaching would have commanded more attention, at least
from the more intelligent part of the community; and yet his sermoHs were
never otherwise than highly respectable.
Dr. Woodhull was distinguished for his skill and tact in ecdesiasiioal bodies.
Here he exerdsed great influence, and his Judgment was always highly respoeted.
Indeed, his general influence in the Ohurch, and in sodety at laig9; was exceeded
by that of few of his contemporaries. He had a weight of personal character
that made him felt wherever he was known.
He retained his vigour in an uncommon degree to old age. I remember hesf-
ing him ddiver an Address, when he had reached fourscore, belbre the Ameri-
can Bible Society. I heard some person sitting near me remark, aft the Doctor
was about to speak, that he wondered they should have brought forward such
an old matt to speak on such an occasion; but I heard the same person Bay i at
the dose' of the meeting, that the old man had proved to be th^ irery best spwskar
of the day. He really put forth uncommon energy en the oooaden^ atid soquit^
ted himself with great credit.
J)t. ]froodhnll was not more remarkable for any thing than a habit of poath
tuality.^ ^e made it a matter of oonsdenoe to Ailfll evazy engag^eifiti 69«p|ii
rospect to th9 least unportantoonoems, and at the time a^ppd^ted.. ||t:n«:ijpp
habit undoubtedly that formed a material element o^ h|s iiBe^U||M8^ ji^^
to give a oompleidon to his character.
JOHK XoDOtrSLL.
008 PRK8BTTKBIAH.
HEZEKTAH BALCH, D. D .•
1769—1810.
HszxKiAH Baloh was born of pionB parents in Harford Ooonij, Md.,
in the year 1741. While he was yet a child, his father remoyed his &mily
to an eleyated and salnbriOos tract of country in Hecklenbnrg Ooonty,
N. C; and it was here that the subject of this sketch passed most of Ids
early years.
In 1768, he was admitted as a student of the College of New Jersey, at
the recommendation of the Bey. John Bodgers, (afterwards Dr. Bodgers of
New York,) and was graduated there in 1762. For a considerable time
affcer his graduation, he was engaged in teaching a school in Fauquier
Oounty, Ya. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Newcastle
between the meetings of Synod in 1768 and 1769. Soon afterwards we find
him labouring as a missionary within the bounds of the Presbytery of Hano-
▼er, then reaohbg firom the Potomac indefinitely towards the Pacific. For
the increase of his usefulness, this Presbytery ordained Idm as an eyangelist,
on the 8th of March, 1770. The Synod of New Tork and Philadelphia, at
their next sessions, constituted him and six other ordained nunisters, the
Presbytery of Orange.
It was during his ministrations in North Carolina that Mr. Balch first
made his acquaintance with the young lady who became his wife. Her
name was Hannah Lewis. She was a person of fine intellect and great
personal attractions, but was, in after life, occasionally under some degree
of mental derangement, which preyed a great trial to her husband, and a
serious embarrassment in the training of their younger children. They had
six children,— four sons and two daughters. The eldest daughter became the
wife of the Bey. (afterwards Dr.) Bobert Henderson. After the death of
Mrs. Baloh, — ^about the year 1808, — ^he was married to Ann Lucky, a natiye
of Pennsylyania, who remoyed to Tennessee in 1795 or 1796, and who was
also a lady of excellent character. Her &ther was Bobert Lucky, a natiye
of New York. She died in Jonesborough, in 1886, aged seyenty-two,
haying had no ehildren.
Mr. Baloh felt encouraged to bestow a portion of his labours on some of
the destitute parts of Pennsylyanik, and with a yiew to this, obtained a
diismission from Orange Presbytery to join that of DonegiJ, between the
meetbgs of Synod in 1774 and 1775. For about one year he supplied the
Presbyterians in the yillage of York. After his return to the Presbytery
of Huioyer, which had ordained him, he receiyed more frequent notices d
the growing demands for mimsterial senices among the numerous Presby-
terian settlers in the part of North CaroUna, West of the Allegany moun-
tains. Haying made no small proof of his ministry, firom 1769 to 1784, on
the Ailantio dope near their Eastern side, and being urged by the seal
and enterprise of the Gospel [doneer to present himself where most needed,
hib formed his determination to cross the mountains, and cast in his lot wiih
the people of God in the West
•Mff. fton Amt. Br. GoflB^Vbolt^ SMahis of V. 0.
HEZBKIAH BALOH. Q(^g
It wu not mnoh before the date of the charter of the Preabjterj of
Abingdon in 1785, — ^the first on the Western waters, within what is now
Tennessee, — in which his name appears with those of two other petitioners
and original members, the Rev. Messrs. Samuel Doak and Charles Oam«
mings — ^that he remoyed with his fiunily into the vast Western wilderness ;
where there roamed at lai^e, in nntamed ferocity, the Cherokee Indians, —
furious with jealousy of the white population, that wore then rapidly taking
possession of their fayourite hunting grounds. Here Mr. Balch, by reason of
his age and experience, was called to take part in organizing churches. Among
these was the First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, of which, ere long,
he became the pastor ; and it grew under his ministrations to be the largest
in the Valley of the Holston and Tennessee. His most frequent exchanges
of labour, as well as his most intimate consultations at this period, were with
the Bey. Samuel Doak, who had settled somewhat earlier at Salem Church,
Washington County; where he had opened a private classical school, which
was the germ of one of the most important institutions that have been estab-
lished in the South West. '
It was mainly through the combined influence of these two brethren, that
Dr. Watts' Version of the Psalms was introduced, instead of the former
one by Bouse, into use in the churches in that region. The measure had
to encounter violent opposition, and was not a Uttle prejudiced by the indis-
creet seal of some of its advocates. Mr. Balch preached a Sermon on the
subject, at the opening of the Presbytery of Abingdon, in October, 1786,
whidli produced a great effect at the time, and which was published seven
years afterwards, under the title — "Gospel Liberty in singing the praises of
God, stated, illustrated, and urged." This sermon, with other concurrent
means that were used, wrought a gradual change in public opinion, until
the object which the Sermon contemplated was finally accomplished.
There was one procedure in which Mr. Balch and Mr. Doak were asso-
dated, after their removal to Tennessee, which was at once too remarkable
and too charaoterisdc to be omitted. By reason of very high waters keeping
theb brethren of the Presbytery away from them at the time and place of
one of their fall sessions, they found themselves alone, except some few
elders. The meeting was specially important, as the Presbytery had expected
to license a candidate, whose trials had almost been gone through, and
whoso labours were impatiently called for by deplorable destitutions. After
waiting in viun for absent brethren, they united with the elders present in
prayer for Divine direction ; and when they had held a free and satisfactory
oonsultation, they opened and constituted as a Presbytery; finished the
remaining trials of the candidate ; licensed him to preach the Gospel, and
appointed his labours for the next six months, or in other words, till the
next stated sessions of Presbytery. They made a faithfiil record of
their proceedings, and pledged themselves to each other, under consent and
order of Presbytery, to attend together the next meeting of Synod ; (for it
was before the formation of the General Assembly ;) submit their Becords
fbr review ; meet any censure for irregularity ; and state what they believed
were the justifiable reasons of their procedure. A journey of six hundred
miles on horseback brought them to Philadelphia, seasonably for the
meeting of Synod. When the Committee, charged with the review of their
Becords, were called upon to report, the spedcer and his fellow re?iewer
were thrown into such a convulsive and half suppressed titter, at what they
310 PBSBBTTBBIAir.
regarded tLo wild vagranoj of their brethren in the heekiroodii, ihat they
eoold Boaroelj compose themselyes sniBinendy lo make an annonneement of
the irregularity. But though the Aaeemblj were at fint prepared to eon-
demn the procedure, yet, upon hearing Mr. Belch's full and piihetie explana-
tion, they were perfectly satisfied, and dismissed ihe matter with the most
kindly spirit, and without a disapproving word*
Mr, Balch identified himself with the political troubles growing out of the
formation of the State of Franklin. In consequence of this, he fell into a
controYcrsy with the Bey. William Oraham of Virginia, who addressed a
letter to him through the press, which was made the ground of an ecclesi-
astical process against the writer before the Old Synod ; and when the Gen-
eral Assembly was formed, the cause fell under the jurisdiction of the Synod
of Virginia.
About the year 1798, Mr. Baleh had conceiyed, matured, and communi-
cated to some of his friends, the plan of Oreenville OoUege. When the
Territorial Legislature met in 1794, he applied for a Charter, and the grant-
ing of it — ^by which also he was constituted President and ex-officio a Trus-
tee— ^was the first act of that Body; and he was allowed to haye a plat of
ground for the OoUege near his own dwelling. When a copy of the Oharter
was deliyered to Mr. B., an influential member of the Assembly said to him —
** Now, Sir, you will have to trayel and collect funds to put the OoUege in
operation, as George Whitefield did for his Orphan House." Mr. Balch
repUed that he had indulged no other expectation.
The next year, (1795,) he yisited New England to coUect funds for the
new' institution ; and in that yisit may be said to haye ori^nated a theo-
logical controyersy which gaye a somewhat polemical character to his whole
future life. The fdl history of that controyersy is to be gathered only
from the Becords of the different Ecclesiastical Bodies in which it was car-
ried on ; but some of the most prominent facts in connection with it wiU be
found in the subjoined communication from the yenerable Dr. Ooffin, whose
testimony wiU not be impaired, in the yiew of any body who knew him, by
the fact that he is understood to haye sympathised somewhat with Mr.
Balbh in his theological speculations. As his account^ howeyer, terminates
with Mr. B.'s being acquitted with an admonition from the General Assem-
bly in 1798, it may not be amiss to state that this was by no means the
termination of the controyersy. Preyious to his trial before the Assem-
bly, a dyU suit had been instituted with a yiew to dispossess him and his
adUierents of the meeting house; and while this was pending, it was
attempted to eject him from the pulpit by fbrce. In the midst of a most
tumultuous scene that occurred the Sabbath after his return from the
Assembly, he retired with a large part of his congregation to a wide spread-
ing tree, a short distance from the church, and there read the papers relating
to* his trial and acquittal by the Assembly. He subsequently performed
Diyine senice there for seyeral months ; and such was his attachment to
the spot that he intimated a wbh to be buried there, proyided it could be
done without impropriety. Though his oongregatbn was now diyided into
two, the greater part remained with Um, and, as might haye been expected,
regarded both him and his theological system with increased feyour. The
diMirion of the lawsuit restored the meeting house to him and his oongre-
gation, as the ascertained majority, — and in due tune they resumed £eir
worslup in it.
GEZEKIAH BALCH. 3|l
In October following his trial before the Aseembljy seyeral obarges were
brought against him, before the Synod of the Carolinas, by a reference
from the Union Presbytery, — ^the most graye of which was that he had
acted with duplicity in making certain statements after his return from the
General Assembly that were inconsistent with what he had said before that
Body. Most of the charges were pronounced unsustained, but the one just
mentioned was considered as proyed, in consequence of wUch Mr. B. was
suspended from his office as a minister, until tite Presbytery of Union, to
which he belonged, haying become satisfied of his penitence, should see fit
to restore him. At the same time the sentence of suspension from the
office of elder and from the Communion of the Church was pronounced
upon four of the elders who had appeared against Mr. Balch, *'for the
impropriety and irregularity of their course." Both parties expressed their
submission to the judgment of Synod, and receiyed a suitable admonition
from the Moderator.
In 1800, Mr. Balch and seyeral others, were constituted, by their own
request, a New Presbytery, by the name of Greenyille Presbytery. The
same year he preferred a charge before the Synod against the Presbytery of
Abingdon for haying ordained his successor in the Mount Bethel Church,
before they had settled their pecuniary accounts with himself, and for hay-
ing ordained a man of questionable orthodoxy.
The degree of Doctor of Diyinity was conferred upon him by Williams
CoUege in 1806.
When the Bey. (afterwards J)t.) Charles Coffin took up his permanent resi-
dence in Tennessee, about the beginning of the year 1806, he became
associated with Dr. Balch in the labours of both the pulpit and the Col-
lege. Dr. B. continued to labour in both relations as much and as long as
he wan able, though for the last two or three years of his life, his increasing
infirmities rendered him incapable of seyero or continuous exertion. He
died after a brief but most distressing illness in Aprile, 1810.
It has already been stated that one of Dr. Belch's daughters was mar-
ried to the Bey. Robert Henderson. She died, in her twenty-fifth year, on
the lltb of March, 1795 ; and, according to the account of her last hours,
written hj her husband and published in the New- York Missionary Maga-
zine of 1802, there has rarely been exhibited a more strongly marked
scene cf Christian triumph. Her father, who arriyed just in time to see
her die, uked her seyeral questions designed to bring out the state of her
mind in regard to his fiiyourite doctrine of "unconditional submission ;" and
he expressed himself perfectly satisfied with her answers.
It is now (1857) seyeral years since the last of Dr. Balch's children
deceased. Seyeral of his grandchildren entered the ministry, but not till
some time after his death. His adopted son, the nephew and foster-child
of his second wife, — Seth J, W. Lucky , was graduated at Greenyille Col-
lege ; has been, for seyeral years, on the Bench in Tennessee, fitst as a Cir-
ouit Judge, and now as a Chancellor, and is not only an exemplary and
infiuential member, but an aotiy^ and usefiil elder, of the Presbyterian
Church in Jonesboro'. It was in hu house that the second Mrs. Balch
spent her last years.
312 FBESBTTERIAK.
FBOK THE BEY. OHABLES COFFIN, B. D.
PSWDUT Of OmBBMTX£U OOKUMS.
GuBsvK OomrTTi Tenn., lUreh 80, 1860.-
Bey. and dear Brother: I have been caeting aboat me ibr some time to see if
I ooold not And some person more competent to do jnstioe to the character of
the Bey. Br. Heaekiah Balch than myself; but time has made such desolating
work with his contemporaries that I am almost ready to say that I am the only
one left to testify concerning him. I haye, therefore, determined to make an
effort to comply with your request; though, in doing so, I feel bound to say that
I' am quite aware that I am undertaking a task of no small delicacy. Br. Balch,
more than almost any other man of his day, was inyolyed' in controyersy; and
was called to answer for alleged theological errors at each of the seycral Church
Courts to which he was amenable. His most yigorous opposers were undoubt-
edly conscientious and excellent men, and I would not eyen seem to cast a shade
upon their memories. But it is no reflection upon either him or them to admit
that both were &llible, and that doubtless must appear in what I shall fed obliged
to say in performing the seryico you haye allotted to me. I cherish Br. Balch's
memory with affectionate yeneration, and am glad that you propose to make him
the subject of an enduring record. I knew him most intimately, haying liyed
seyeral years under his roof, and my family with me the latter and larger part
of the time.
My first sight of this interesting man was in the summer of 1795, in the town
of Newburyport, my natiye place, where I was then engaged in the study of
Theology. The South Western Territory had recently been organized. At his
suggestion, the charter of Greenville College had been granted by its first legis*
latiye Act, but without any proyision of funds to enable him, as the President, to
make it usefiil. After a sucoessfhl yisit to Charleston, S. C., to procure dona-
tions and endowments, he passed through the Middle and Eastern States, as hr
as Portland in Maine; and I afterwards found that both the President and
Board of Trustees were well satisfied with the amount that was obtained. I
heard him preach twice in different churches, and enjoyed his conyersation at
my father's house. His personal appearance was prepossessing,-!— with a dark
coloured, lustrous, commanding eye, a full habit and erect firame of body; and
his address was animating and full of benignity, both in the house of God and
the private circle. His preaching was evangelical, hearty and impressive. The
general bearing of his manner fastened itself on my memory as being well desig-
nated by the following words in his first sermon: — " I now come to the applica-
tion, which I ever think to be the life of preaching.'' When he called the next day,
my &ther, after making his donation, spread before him on the table Br. Morse's
first large map containing the South Western Territory; thinking to gain from
him, as he did, some fbrther knowledge of his country's Geography. I was
myself yery much interested while the President pointed out the ranges of the
mountains, the beautifbl valley of his residence, its water courses and fertile
grounds; and described the dimate as one of the most salubrious and del^^htfbl
upon earth. The early concern for a College, amid the growing population soon
to become a State, appeared to me a noble imitation of the patriotic care which
made the founding of Northern Colleges so much a primary object. In about a
year from that time, the new State of Tennessee was organized. In the spring
of 1799, 1 was licensed to preach. A providential affliction in my eyes had been
severely troublesome to me for two or three preceding years. I had sufibred
much from the wintry storms and piercing winds of the North, and from the
overpowering refiection of the daaaling sunbeams fix>m the snow and ice. A
milder climate for the cold season was recommended by physicians. A convk>-
tion had likewise fastened upon my mind that some months might useihlly bo
HBZBKIAH BALCH. ftl3
occupied in timTdling, and gftining knowledge of the diyeraifled popaktkm of our
extenaive dnion, which might be followed with Bome important adyanttgee
through life. M/ recollections of President Baloh were lively and pleasing. I
passed the greater part of the snbsequent winter preaching in the Sonth, and
wrote Mr. Balch a letter, intimating that I had some thonghts of visiting him in
the spring. In his answer, he urged me to cross the mountains, and made the
following somewhat startling communication: — "Since my return from New
England, Sir, I have been cited to ecclesiastical trial for errors imputed to me by
my prosecutors, sixteen times before Presbytery; four times before Synod; and
once before the General Assembly. I had not for short of one hundred scholars
in the Oollege. But my interruptions and absences to attend my trials arrested
the progress of the institution. The students were obliged to go home. Never-
theless, Sir, all that I have suffered has only served to confirm me more and more
in the beUef that what I have contended for is God's Bible truth, and will stand
forever. My prosecutors have never yet taught me the doctrine of ftar. Gome
over. Sir, and I hope God will so order it that you will foil in love with our
country.'' My heart, I must confess, grew warm towards the man.
On the 11th of July, 1800, 1 rode up to his gate; and when he had ascertained
my name, he said with tears filling his eyes — '* I believe. Sir, there is a God in
Heaven who hears prayer." In subsequent conversations he informed me that,
long before his Northern journey, he bad felt a confidence that dearer light than
he had attained on the cardinal doctrines of grace, as to their agreement and
harmony with each other, their fitness to honour God and feed and bless his
people, was in all probability to be found somewhere; and that he had often
thought he would aooount it but a small sacrifice to take his staff, and travel on
foot to the ends of the earth, to find the man who could so unfold the mind of
the. Spirit, contained in the Sacred Scriptures, as to pour the desired light into his
soul. He said it was impossible for him to travel under the rare advantages of
improving conversation with the most enlightened ministers and other Ohristians,
whkh he enjoyed, while soliciting for the Oollege, without an earnest spirit of
theological inquiry. " This," said he, " the great and good Dr. Green of Phila-
delphia did much to invigorate and direct by his kind, brotherly counsels to me
on my way to the North, for which I have ever been thankful. He tdd me that
I would find, as he did, in the Northern States, a class of ministers, some of
whose religious sentiments were considered erroneous, while their main tenets
were nnquestbnably Oalvinistic. He advised me by all means to become
acquainted with these men. ' I do not myself agree with them,' he said, ' in
every thing; but in some things which are questioned, I know they are right. I
found reason to esteem them as among the most laborious students, foithful
pastors, successful preachers, and instructive writers in all New England.' "
'' Now," added Mr. Bak±, and often did he take occasion to repeat it in my ears,
— " these were the very ministers who most assisted me to obtain donations; and
who afforded me, by conversations and books, my principal helps in the investiga-
tion of religious truth." He informed me that he preached, of course, boldly
and explicitly, on his return, his most illustrative thoughts on Gospel doctrines,
as had ever been his way; keeping nothing back of the whole counsel of God;
MLj persuaded that he had learned better to understand it by his opportunities
of receiving additional light. " I took pains," said he, " to assure miniaters and
people, privately and publicly, that I believed more firmly, because more intelli-
gently, ^^*^ o^w before, the cardinal doctrines of free and sovereign grace, w4iich
I had so long preached; but I blessed God He had led me into a clearer know-
ledge of them all in their inspired meaning and essential harmony; that I felt
myself able to unfold them, and defend them, in a more consistent manner, and
to preach the truth on one topic, without taking it back again, when discussing
another."
Vol. m. 40
AstotheYiewfl which rendei^ Dr. Balehobnozioas to many of hiB brethren, it
is impossible, in so brief a spaice as is allotted to me in this letter, to go into
detail. It will perhaps be sofflcient to say that he sympathized with that class
of New England divines, who were and still are known as Hopkinsians. His
most familiar and &?ourite sentiment was that all tme holiness, both in God
and his intelligent oreatnres, consists in impartial, disinterested good-wfll, love
or benevolence to all beings capable of happiness; and a benevolent complacency
in the moral excellence of all who possess this essential qnaliflcation for happi-
ness, and for promoting its diffusion. The first impression which his preaching
made npon his choroh and large oongn^tion after his retam from the North
and East, as I received abundant evidence from many of them, was very gen-
erally &vourable. But alarms were gradually ezdtod among his people, and in
due time, when he thought the case required it, he was heard by his Presby-
tery,— ^that of Abingdon; before whom he stated what were his views of Divine
tmth, which he fully believed were vindicated both by the Bible and the Oon-
lisssion of Faith. So satisfied were the minority of that body that he embraced
nothing heretical, or dangerous to the souls of men, that they passed a vote to
this effect; and agreed individually to do what they cooM to qmet any alarms
existing among the people.
But so dissatisfied were the minority with this procedure, and so little did
they expect any appeal could serve their cause, that they withdrew fix>m the
connection of the Synod and General Assembly, and constituted themselves an
independent Presbytery. At their return to order, with due acknowledgment
to Sjmod of the incautious step they had taken, the Presbytery of Union, com-
posed of Mr. Balch and those ministers of Abingdon Presbytery, who had not
taken ground against him, was constituted; and with what spirit, the very name
by which they chose every where to be known, sufficiently and very truly indi-
cates. Tet the alarms kept up by the remaining members of the Presbytery of
Alnngdon, extended to those who had removed firom Washmgton and Greene
Counties, to inviting lands below, within the bounds of Union. Tet the better
spirit ultimately prevailed. Even the venerable fitthers themselves, who saw
most to disapprove in Mr. Balch's sentunente, and felt called npon to oppose
them inost sternly, were too good not to welcome the peaoeM gales from Heaven,
as they drew near to the promised land of light, love, and concord. They were
able and fkithftd men, who held with intelligence and tenacity the views in
which they had been educated; who rendered much importent service to the
Ohurch m their day; and whom to know was surely to venerate and love. The
opposing and the opposed, have, it is believed, already joined together in the never-
ending song before the throne, — " Not unto us, but unto thy name be the glory,"
Oh God of our salvation!
In regard to Mr. Balch's most important trial at the bar of the General Assem-
bly, representing the whole Presbyterian Church before ite division, I have not
one tenth part of the desirable space fdr rendering the honour most justly due
to the ever present Head of his militent Church; to that fidthful and enlight-
ened judicatory which could do nothing against the truth, but for it; and ite
imperfect yet heroic witness, enjoying the privilege of answering for himself.
After my first visit to Mr. Balch and his ministerial brethren in the Presbyteries
of Abingdon and Union, I passed two or three times between Tennessee and my
native SUte, and had opportunities of hearing frequently about the particulars
of his trial. I was informed by ministers and others in the Ifiddle Stetes; that
when the charges against him had been pnblidy read, and the testimony heard,
and lus tiine for defence was announced, he rose with humble boldness, and
nobly exerted his powers to distinguish, explain, and prove fW>m the Bible, what
he had been contending for as the truth of God; that he was Kterd with pro-
found attention by that venerable body, and a large crowd of speototors; and
HEZEKIAH BALOH. i.^gl^
that he was modi' extolled by persons present fbr his frankness, intrepidity^ per*
spiomtyj and earnestness, combined with the sabnussiye ddSsrenoe dne to so
respectable and nnmerons an assembly of eodesiastical Judges. In order to
show something of the impression made at the time npon men of improyed
minds and deep thinking, it may sufAoe to state one anecdote, ont of a number.
The celebrated Dr. Rush, in the midst of extensive professional engagements,
had received such information of the intereifting trial of a Tennessee clergyman,
that he chose to take time, and hear the defence. At the close of Mr. Balch's
speech, the Assembly adjourned for dinner. The Doctor procured at the door
an introduction to him; though he had seen him on his soliciting tour, and given
him his patronage by his name and donation. He pressed him to go home and
dine with him. Mr. Balch made his arrangements with reference to others, and
went with the Doctor. '' Sir," said the latter, '' when a fiospel minister will
come, six hundred miles to fiice his prosecutors, and defend the assailed princi-
ples of his religious faith with the zeal and intrepidity which I have witnessed
to-day, before the higheist tribunal on earth to which he could be cited, my heart
cannot but beat warmly in his favour^ whether his sentiments and mine are iden-
tical or not.'' On my first return to the North, I had myself already read in
Mr. Balch's papers the substantial history of the trial; but did not omit, while
in Philadelphia, to call on the Rev. Dr. Milledoler who was at that time the
Recording Olerk of the (General Assembly, and, by his indulgence, to read in
the folio book of Records the fiiU account, in the corrected Minutes, of the whole
trial and its result. Every thing was, as the certified extracts I had read before,
attested. During my first visit, after spending a few months' with Mr. Balch,
and preaching and becoming acquainted in the general neighbourhood, I had got
thoroughly to feel that he understood what he contended for; as he did not once,
in all our conversations, give and take back any Gospel doctrine about which I
found the controversy had been maintained. I began now to think seriously
whether it might not be my duty to comply with his oft repeated request, and
settle down by him as an instruoter in the College, and a preacher in the town
and vicinity. Having, from my early attachments, some reluctance on this point,
and feeling some sense of obligation not to decide rashly, I became the more
inquisitive to learn more distinctly, not merely from Mr. Balch, but from all
accessible sources of information, what sentiments were supposed to be errone-
ous in his preaching; what he had been understood to maintain on the topics
discussed, and especially, how the several Judicatories that had tried him, had
finally pronounced upon his religious views. I was now so happy as to find
that it was not less his wish, than my determination, that I would hear every
thing his opposers as well as friends might have to say. I was deeply impressed
with the idea that my prospect of useftilness in the whole region, if I should
settle in East Tennessee, would greatly depend npon my obtaining a correct
knowledge of the minds of the people on the subjects so much debated. Hence
I carefully sought and improved opportunities of free and friendly conversation
with men of every class; with all the brethren in the ministry, old and young, —
whether approving or disapproving Mr. Balch's views; also with his adherents
and opponents among the people, and with serious observers in other denomina-
tions. After this extended and persevering investigation, I became satisfied that
he was a vigorous and earnest defender of the leading doctrines of Hopkinsian-
ism; that he had embraced the system intelligently as well as cordially, and
that he had most unfiinchingly and minutely defended before each Judicatory
what he had wittingly and confessedly held, and what he informed them he
could not without new light renounce. Imprudences, in several instances, of
speech and conduct were confessed; also some injudicious selections of words
and phraseologies were reported by witnesses, and charged upon him. In these
cases he seemed to have been ingenuous, docile and submissive; though he enoe
316 FRKSBTTBBIAHt
or twice declared that he did not appear to have been nndentood. When the
AaaemUy'fl Oommittee brought in their report upon hia ''creed," (See the
Digeet,) in wliioh th^ pointed oat three partioaiara as erron held by him, accord-
ing to their nnderatanding of worda aacribed to him by witneaaea, and after
hearing hia defence, he aaid he iblt aaaured, when he heard tliem read, tliat he
had never held or aaaerted them aa tmtha. Hence the thought immediatel/
Btmck him, — men appear now to be leaving you; if Qod ahoold leave yon, your
condition woold indeed be dreadfbl. ** Bat," lie added, " the very next thought
that took poeaeaaion of my aoul, and nerved me afreah, waa-— I idll at all eventa
atiok to Qod'a truth.'' That very evening, a deigyman,— not of the AaaemUy,
who had been a doae observer of the whole courae of the trial,— one who felt, aa
he perceived many others did, that the Oommittee had been led, by worda
reported aa Mr. Balch's, to mistake his real aentimenta, as he had unfolded them
in his principal address to the Assembly, and in his more private communic^
tiona to his friends, came to him in much excitement — we may hope with more
love for the truth aa it ia in Jeaua, than aoundness of practical judgment, and
thua addreaaed him — " Sir, I am afraid you will not get fair treatment. My
advice to you ia to go to-morrow morning, and tell the Aaaembly that you have
been ao miaunderatood by their Oommittee that you do not aee much proapeet
of getting juatice from them aa a judicatory; and that you therefore appeal from
their fallible tribunal to the infkllible tribunal of the Lord Jeaua Ohrist.'' Mr.
Belch had courage enongh, and if left to himself, might, in his extremity, have
had raahneas enough, to have welcomed the suggestion. But firom his large and
righteoua heart inatantly buret forth the following Ohriatian reply : — ''A scldam in
t^ Ohurch, Sir, is a dreadfiil thing. I ahonld not like to be the guilty cauae of
any auoh curae. My ahouldera are pretty broad — ^I truat they will apare my con-
adenoe. If they will only do that. Sir, I can bear for the truth'a sake whatever
burden they may think it their duty to put upon me.'' Othera of better judg-
ment came to adviae him, and to pray with him for the fovoaraUe interpoaition
of Heaven. At length, Mr. Irwin of Neshaminy, who had, with great vigour
and boldneas, austained some of his controverted sentiments before the Asaem^
Uy, called upon him, and put into hia hand a email piece of paper, and asked
him to consider its contents, and let him know whether he could, with a clear
conadence, make the import of that wriUng hia final anawer to the Assembly,
and rest the issne of his trial upon it. When he had read it, and fdt aasured that
he correctly understood it, he replied that he readily could adopt it, without the
amalleat reaerve; for it stated the truth of focta and nothmg dae; but that be
had been ao miaapprehended by the Oommittee in their adopted report, that he
waa at a loaa to know whether it would probably be accepted. His friend
anawered him — " I know so much of the minds of the membm, that I have no
doubt it would; and I entreat you to make uae of it Accordingly, when the
Aaaembly called for his ultimate answer, he gave it nearly in the exact words of
the iteper handed him. I cannot tell who wrote it. Mr. Belch thought Ifr.
Lrwin wiahed him to underatand that he did not himsdf. From Dr. Green's
personal friendship and conduct during the trial, he immediatdy aaid to him, —
'< It looka to me aa coming fW>m Dr. Green." " If ao, it comea tnm a moat
eatimable aouroe," aaid Mr. I.; "and that ia enough for me to say." The
anawer waa accepted by auch a majority as prednded any need of dividmg the
houae to aacertain it. So aoon aa the Moderator, the Bev. Dr. John B. Smith,
had declared, in the name of the Aaaembly, their vote of acceptance, and by
obvioua implication, of acquittal, in favour, of Mr. Baloh, and given him the
admonition agreed upon, and a conduding prayer had bean thankfliUy offered.
Dr. Qreen arose with a mi^tlo benignity in hia commanding eye and foce ^ and
kbdly sdd — "Moderator, Mr. Batch ia now in aa good and regular standmg as
anj member of thia Aaaembly; and I move you, Sir, that he and the ndniater
HSZEEIAH BALGH. gyf
and elder in Tennessee, now obme forward in the presence of ibis Jadioatory and
shake hands; in token that they will go home with the fall purpose to Ure in
Christian lore and peace hereafter/' Mr. Balch immediately stood on his ftet*
and, with his hand upon his generous and forgiving heart, said, — ** Moderator,
here is my heart; and here are both my hands/'— extending them earnestly.
They did sliake hands forthwith, to the general satisfiustion of that truly Cliris-
tian and enlightened Body. Thus amicably and providentially ordered was the
most important ecdesiastical trial of Mr^ Babh, leaving him, at its termination,
in the unrestricted enjoyment of that fiiith which he had abundantly shown to
the Church and the world was dearer to him than any thing else he could call
his own. Should it not be considered an enduring honour to the widely extended
Presbyterian Church, then an undivided whole, that under so persevering a
course of prosecutions, carried through twenty-one trials or parts of trials, Pres-
byterial, Synodical, and of the highest Court, an upright conscience, even in an
imprudent man, was thus safe beneath the outspread wings of its constitutional
protection ?
Yes, I must acknowledge that he was an imprudent man. His natural
honesty and intrepidity were unsurpassed. All the movements of his soul,
seemed to be open and direct; but, under excitement, they sometimes savoured
strongly of impulsiveness and indiscretion. His intrepidity was a bad counsellor
in the moment of provocation and temptation. I could fill sheets with the
details of his noble, self-denying and arduous exertions for the good of his fellow
men. But I am sorry to add that even I, and certainly his opponents, if survi-
ving, could fill pages in stating his rash steps, his unwise messures, and indiscreet
words, where consummate prudence was demanded. His maxim, in all debates
and controversies, was, — " I have no contention with any but about holiness.''
When he discovered his error in any thing, he was most ingenuous and thorough
m repentance, confession, and making amends. As he did not always meet
a similar return, he was sometimes thrown off his guard. From much know-
ledge of his life and conduct, I was obliged to conclude that when the fear of Qod
was suspended in its rule over his lolly and intrepid soul, he feared nothing in
the universe; and that of course Satan was at his elbow to take some advantsge
of him.
An impresavB illustration of the influence of Mr. Balch's piety upon his prin-
cipal prosecutor may here be stated. When they were about starting to a trial
before the Synod of the Carolines, he proposed to the elder, his neighbour, who
was going there to prosecute him, that, for safety and convenience on their long
Journey, they should travel together. They did so. But rains had raised a
particular stream so high that they saw it could not be forded without the swim-
ming of their horses. Mr. Balch then said to his ibllo w traveller, — "Sir, you and I
have families at home, to whom our deaths would be afflictive; we are in the hands
of Divine Providence—don't yon think we should do well to kneel down here on
the bank of this deep and rapid stream, and pray God to help us over in safety ?"
** "By all means. Sir," answered the elder — '* please, Mr. Balch, offer a prayer."
He did so. They passed over safely, and travelled on quietly together. This is
the elder who shook hands with him before the Assembly; and once did so before
the Synod. Soon after I came into the State, when Mr. Balch urged him, for
his own satis&ction, to converse with me freely and fiilly on the disputed senti-
ments, which had cost him so much in their defence, he replied, and I doubt not
candidly, — ** Mr. Balch, it is not necessary; now I understand you better than
I did* I have no serious objection to what you hold." And he was not the
only opposing elder who gave Mr. B. substantially the same testimony.
I must say a word of the important service which Dr. Balch rendered to the
cause of liberal education. By his exertions for Greenvflle College, interrupted,
as we have seen, in a most unexampled manner, he provided a commodious two
SIS FBESBTTBRIAir.
storied OoII^ge-flAU, a oooBiderftble Ubntrj, a well Mleoted, though snudl, philo-
sophical apparatnsi daily iostractioiiy the best text-books and improTements in
teaching within his power to secure. He gare an important impulse to exertions
in the same great cause throughout the whole South-western region, where there
was before hardly a beginning. Qreenrille Goll^ had at one time students from
nine different States and Territories; and a more than usual proportion of them
rose to honourable eminence in the different walks of life.
To all persons who had any fitmiliar and intimate acquaintance with Dr. Balch
during his last years> the sunshine of iiis Heayenly Father's countenance seemed
to irradiate his noble soul in a manner altogether uncommon. His numerous
citations and trials were disastrous to his temporal interests. Pains of body and
anxieties of mind, with irreparable injuries to his constitution, from his many
journeys and exposures, were not their only consequences. The many imperious
calls to attend trials, mostly at a distance from the whole circle of his home
duties, as husband, father, master, pastor, and president, during the most
exposed years of his younger children, the arrest giyen to instruction in the Ool-
lege, whoi most needed, the filing health of his wife and the increased expenses
of his &mily, caused him to endure trials which touched the sympathies of his
worthy opposers, and appeared to all exceedingly rare. Like his sereral breth-
ren here in the ministry, he then had slares in his &mily; who, from the kind-
ness of his treatment, dearly loved him. He wished to do his duty to them.
But the greater number were taken from him for (amily debts. The rest he
liberated. One went to Liberia, and became usefol there. Under all his afflic-
tions, he so encouraged himself in his Qod, that, submissiye and cheerful, he
stood erect and unshaken, with an unbroken fortitude that struck all beholders.
Once, late at night, when all were in bed, his large and well filled bam was
strudc with lightning. A large crop of hay and a valuable horse were consumed
with the building. Some of his opposers obsenred him bathed in tears, and sup-
posed that a troubled conscience was the cause— thinking that he interpreted the
lightning's stroke, as they did, to be a token of God's anger against him for his
errors and missteps. I was then absent in the counties below. Soon after my
return, I heard of the abore surmise. Some of the fkmily had giren me an account
of the fire, and said they wished I could have witnessed the scene of their &mily
worship the next morning, when Mr. Balch, haying read a select portion of
Scripture, and sung a few stanzas from Watts, with melting emotions, instead
of kneeling, as was common, prostrated himself at his whole length on the floor;
and offered what they considmd the most admirable and affecting prayer to '
whksh they had oyer listened. In our conversations before my absence, he had
so oondescendingly let me into his inmost soul, that t had a strong desire to bear
what account he would himself give of his tears and emotions while his bam was
burning. Taking opportunity one day when we were alone, I intimated my wish.
"Sir," said he, with his emotions kindling afresh, " I was so flUed with a sense
of Qod*s love, while, in his adorable sovereignty, he was burning down my bam
and destroying my property, that I folt it, and still look back upon it, as one of
the most favoured scenes of my lifo." It then seemed to me useless to ask why
he prostrated himself in a Ikmily prayer the next morning. Oonsidering the
onginality of his oharaoter, and the strength of his devotional foelings, I con*
duded, without the shadow of a doubt, that to exalt his God, and abase him-
self in the dust at his ibotstool, as unworthy of the love with whidi he had con**
descended to refresh him, was the Joyftal effort of his happy heart. Some yeartf^
after that, I saw him m distress incomparably more extreme. The wife of his
youth lay a corpse in his house. I found him silently and calmly pouring out a
copious flood of teans, " Sir/* sidd h^ when he spoke,— ^'' t have been in many
a trying condition, where aothing but absolute submission nto thS' irifi of G«d •
oonld leaoh my necessity; and I am now in-ODe of the most tiyingte my whole
HEZEKIAH BALOH. 3^9
life. Bat blessed be God, absolute, anconditional sabmisdon to his will is plas-
ter saffldent for eyery sore.''
Dr. Balch's retirement from his duties in the College was chiefly to the bed
of langoishment and death. But from that bed, on ^ lower floor of his log-
honse, shone fbrth all but the radiance of Heaven itself. When I first mentioned
to him his approaching death, and his entrance into the world of retribution,—-
*' Sir," said he, " with such a Redeemer as the Lord Jesus Ohrist for my depend
ance, I scorn to be afraid to die." Not many days afterwards, he resumed his
soul-rejoicing theme: — " Sir," said he, — 'Mf it were not for the infinite atone-
ment of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the dependance of my soul before God, I
would not go into eternity for ten thousand worlds. Without this, if I had
strength, I would be running through the woods, and tearing the trees for yery
agony; but with this for my reliance, here I am, Sir, calmly waiting the Mighty
Master's call." In another interview, he said to me, looking up with tears
towards Heaven, — " Sir, I cordially submit to the righteous sentence of God's
eternal law; the precepts of which I have no apology for breaking. At the same
time, I trust I have a little — oh! how little, of that holy disinterested love which
makes the life of a justifying &ith in Christ; that love, Sir, that will bear the
examination and meet the approving smile of the great Judge of quick and dead.
Even in his last will and testament, he gave his soul to his God to be made for
Christ's sake, in boundless grace, an eternal vessel of mercy in Heaven, or, in
righteous judgment for his sins, a vessel of everlasting wrath in hell; just as
seemed good in his sight. I said, Mr. Balch, will all who may read your will,
understand your unshaken hope of salvation through Christ? " Sir," said he,
" I cannot allow myself to make conditions with God; to Him I cordially sub-
mit, without any reserve, fbr time and for eternity. Let the words stand. Sir;
they show the only way in which I mean to die. Those who have heard me
insist on unreserved submission, as always involved in saving faith, may learn
the importance of it in their own case, when they find how I choose to die." So,
therefore, the words now stand in the Register's office in Greenville.
Such is, I believe, a &ithftil, though certainly a very inadequate, miniature of
that truly venerable man of Gbd, Hezekiah Balch, D. D. I shall be glad if it
answers in any degree the purpose for which you have requested it.
That the Spirit of truth, grace, and holiness may preside over your important
studies, and bless your diversified labours, is the fervent prayer, I doubt not of
many, besides.
Dear Sir, your unworthy brother in Christ,
CHARLES COFFIK.
32C FBBSBTTEBIAV.
DANIEL McCALLA, D. D *
1772—1809.
Daniel MoOalla was born at Neahaminj, Pa., in tbe year 1748. Hb
parents, who were worthy and pious people, paid great attention to his
religious education, and, as the result of their fiuthful efforts, were priyi-
leged to see him admitted to the Oommunion table, at the early age of thir-
teen. He receired the rudiments of his eduoation at the grammar school
in Fagg's Manor, in his native State, under the instruction of the Ber.
John Blair. Here he acquired a Tery decided taste for classical learning ;
and, haying gone through the requisite preparatory studies, he became a
member of the Oollege of New Jersey. During the whole (rf his collegiate
course, which dosed in 1766, he maintained a high reputation as a scholar ;
and when he graduated, in his nineteenth year, his attainments were regarded
as Tery extraordinary.
On leaving Oollege, he was induced, by the solicitation of several very
respectable citiiens of Philadelphia, to open an Academy in that city. In
connection with his duties as a teacher, he prosecuted his studies with great
vigour, making himself &miliar with the science of medicine, mastering
several of the modem languages, and pursuing a course of theological read-
ing with reference to engaging ultimately in the ministry. He was licensed
to preach, by the First Presbytery of Philadelphia, on the 20th of July,
1772.
His popular talents as a preacher very soon brought him invitations
from several vacant congregations to settle among them; but he gave
the preference to the united Oongregations of New Providence and Oharles-
ton, in Pennsylvania; and, accordingly, was ordained and installed as
their pastor in 1774. Here he preached with great acceptance till the
commencement of the American Bevolution, when his labours were put in
tequLntion in a different and wider field. His heart was very much in the
cause of independence, and he stood ready to obey any summons, whatever
sacrifice it might involve, which he should receive from his country. Accord*
ingly, at the commencement of hostilities, when the troops under General
Thompson were ordered to Oanada, he was appointed by Oongrees Ohaplain
of that corps, — ^the only Ohaplain that Oongress ever did app<rint; for, by
a sabseqnent arrangement, Ohaplaincies were supplied by the commandmg
officers of each regiment. Soon after his arrival in Oanada, he was made a
prisoner, with General Thompson, and several other officers, at Three Bivers.
Here he was confined, for several months, in a loathsome prison-ship, where
he was subjected to the coarsest treatment, and suffered every thing but
absolute starvation. At length, he was allowed to return, on parole, and
was restored to his congregation in the latter part of 1776. In a short
time, he was chaiged with havbg violated his parole in praying for his coun-
try. Fmding himself in jeopiurdy, if he attempted to remain with his
charge, he inade his escape to Yirginia; where, sftor some time, he was
released from his parole by an exchimge of prisoners. Meeting with much
• Mniflir wtSztd to MiB^moM.— HdHwpliwMl'i fn. Brnm.-^MBB. hmffHif. Dr. Ai^-
Wd Akiiiite, sndBAT. W. B. Lm.
DANIBL XoOALLA. 32I
enoouragement to inBtiinte an Academy in HanoTer Oonntj, he was induced
to engage in the enterprise; and, for a considerable time, he enjoyed a high
degree of popularity in the capacity of a teacher. The congregation of
which the Bey. Samoel Daries had been pastor being now vacant, Mr. Ho-
Oalla succeeded to the charge ; and as a preacher not less than a teacher he
was highly acceptable. He became also, about this time, connected in mar-
riage with Sliia, second daughter of the Rer. John Todd, of the Oounty
of Louisa, — an amiable and accomplished woman.
Mr. MoOalla, being naturally of a social turn, had no ayersion to scenes
of conyiyiality, and was not always as discreet as might haye been desired.
This subjected him to seyere remark, and finally brought him into some dif-
ficulties (of which I haye not been able to ascertiun exactly either the nature
or the extent) which were the occasion of his leaying Virginia. About 1788.
he went to South Oarolina, and became the minbter of a Congregational
Church* in Christ's Church parish, near Charleston. Here he remained in
retirement, a diligent student and faithful pastor, to the close of his life —
a period of twenty-one years.
He was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Dirinity from the College
of South Carolina.
Dr. McCalla was afflicted with a protracted disease, which was supposed
to haye been hastened to its fatal consummation by the death of an only
child, the wifb of Dr. John R. Witherspoon, at the age of twenty-six. He
died in great peace, and in the joyful confidence of a better Itfe, in May
1809. Mrs. McCalla surriyed him. A Sermon on the occasion of his
death was preached by the Bey. Dr. HoUingshead of Charleston, of which
the following is an extract.
Speaking of him, after his remoyal to South Carolina, he says, —
" He WIS happy in the aflfections of his congregation; avoided rather than courted
Eiblio notice, and nerer son^^t nor wflllnif 7 conwnted that his ftiends sfaoiild seek ibr
m a more eonspicaous sitoatloi^ than the one he occapied. • • • • •
" For many years before his death, Dr. McCalla's attention was principally directed
towards the Sacred Scriptures. He read them diligently in the originals, and in eeve-
ral languages into wUdi they had been translated; coUeeted and compared yarious
readings from many authorities, and had it in design, had his life been spared, to hsTC
digested his remarks and arranged them in an order, which would haye rendered them
nseftil to posterity.
'' Dr. McCalla was in person a gracefbl figure; polite, easy and engaging in his
manners; enterti^ng and improYing in conyersation; of a lively fency and a gene-
rous heart ; of unfettered liberality and undissembled candour. He was easy of access ;
a friend to manUnd; but peculiarly attached to men of science and religion. On the
Bublect of Churdi goyemment he was liberal ; but thou|^t the popular plan of Oongre-
gatlonal Churches the most consonant to apostolic and primltire practice, and best
adapted to promote the Interests of piety and religion.''
Dr. McCslla published a Sermon at the ordination of James Adamst in
1799. In 1810, two yolumes of his works were published with notices of
his life by Dr. Hollmgshcad. These yolumes contain nine Sermons on
different subjects; twenty Numbers of Remarks on the "Age of Beason,'*
oyer the signature of " Artemas;*' Bemarks on Griesbach's Greek Testa*
•It was not till the two pneodlng ToliiiBes wne printed, that I difoorered that Br. HeOUla
died In eonneetton with the GoDgregadonal Ohnroh. Rather, theroftie, than omit so importeat
m name, I hare thought best to treat it ■• an exeeption from my general role, and aadgn ta
him m pbMM Id the denomiaatloa with whieb he oommeDoed, Instead of thai In whleh he eIoeed«
his miniateiial eareer.
t Jakss Adaxs was bom September IS, 1772; studied In Us earlier days mder the Ber.
James Hall, D. D. of Korth OaroUtia, and studied Theology mider the Eer. Jamm HoBee,
D. D. of the same Statei was Uoensed to nreaeh by the Oruige Pkeel^ytflty hi 1796| was
employed by the Congr^gstioiial Ohineh of i)orahester9 8. 0.^ where he wm ordslaed and
Vol. m. 41
322 PBESBTTBBIAH.
meni ; An Essay on the exoellenoy and advantages of the Gospel ; Bemarks
on the Theatre and pnblio amnsements, in thirteen Numbers ; Hints on
Education, in fourteen Nutabers ; The Sorereignty of the People, in iwelTe
Numbers; A Fair Statement and Appendix to the Same in eighteen Num-
bers, contuning an Address to President Adams ; Servility of Prejudioe dis-
played, in nine Numbers; Federal Sedition and Anti-demoeraoy, in six
Numbers;. A Vindication of Mr. Jefferson, in two Numbers; and the
Betreat, a Poem.
ROBERT DAVIDSON, D. D.
1772—1812.
FBOM THE BEY. ROBERT DAYIDSOU, D. D.
If sir BsuvBwiox, V. J., September 7, 1848.
Dear Sir : In aocordanoe with the promise giyen when I last saw you, I
plaoe in your hands the following biographioal sketoh.
BOBX&T Dayidbon was bom at Blkton, Md., in 1750. He was gradua-
ted at the UniTersity of Pennsylvania in 1771. At the age of twenty-two
he was licensed by the Presbytery of Newcastle; and the following year
ordained by the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia. In the interim, he con-
tracted a marriage, the circumstances of which may not be unworthy <Mf notice.
While a student of Divinity, he was seised with a dangerous illnes»,
at a JEarm house in the country, and owed his life to the assiduous care
and kind nursing of a daughter of his host. She became so much
attached to her patient, that, upon his recovery, he asoertabed there
was but one way in which he could repay her. Such was. his grati«
tude, and such his nice sense of honour, that, finding her happiness
seriously involved, he married her; although she was older than him-
self, had not the slightest pretension to beauty, and moved in an humble
sphere of life. She made him, however, for upwards of thirty years, an
excellent and devoted wife. She came to a tragical end, being killed by the
overturning of a carriage.
When but twenty-three years of age, such was his reputation that he
was appointed an instructor in the University of Pennsylvania, and soon after
chosen Professor of History, and also assistant to Dr. Ewing, Pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. In 1776, he composed a
Dialogue in verse, with two odes set to music, which was performed as an
exercise, at Oommenoement, in the presence of the Oontinental Oongms.
The. Dialogue, which was published, was easy and flowing, and fiiU of
patriotic allusions. In July of the same year, he delivered a sermon on
faiftall«d, Uaj 8, 1799 ( Mid wm ftltorwudi pMior of Bethel PntbTtflrfan Ohmh, Tork Dia-
trie^ 8. 0., where he died on the 18th of Angoit, 184S, eMd MTen^-one Teen.
Jaxbs MoRbb, D. D., »boye mentioned, wei bom In the Oonnty of iNdeU, K. 0., Maj 10,
175S,— hlf perente hntlng emimted from the Coontj of Down, Ireland, in 1780. He beeeme
» member of the Junior eUaln the OoUom of New Jene7 !» 1778, end ndnnted In 1776.
He itadied ThedloKjr nnder the direetion <? the Ber. Joeeph Alezmder, D. D. of Bnlloek*!
Cieek, B. 0.$ waa ueeiiaed to nreaoh by the Preibytenr of Orange In April, 1778j beeame
Paakor ef the Oennegatloa of Steele Oieek In Me^enbuw Ckmntj In September lbUowln|%
where be remained about twenW yearf ; then. In 1708, took ehaige of'the .OongregaitioB of
Oentn; thirty milei Korth hm Steele Cieek, nAiere he apeni the Nominder of Jb life, and
diidinl840. Hewaahonoiiiedwiththedegieeof])oetoro|i]Hfiailiffk«maw.Mfiiril9^«r
V«thOanUaafail810. ^^
BOBBBT DAYIDSOK. 323
ih^ War before Bereral military companies, from I. Ohron. t. 22.^'^^*. For
iikef^ fell down many alain, beoftose the war was of Gh>d." A month had
not yet elapsed smoe the battle of Banker Hill, and the sermon shared all the
enthusiastic feryoor of the times. It was repeated in a fortnight before
the troops at Burlington. An extract will show how limited were the
viewil of the Americans at that period: —
** Ind^endence tot seek not^ — but our dependance must consist with lib-
erty, and produce mutual good." '* We mean to be on an equal footing
witii the Parliament of Great Britain, who are in truth but our brethren
and equals. We mean to have, as the Oonstitution allows them to have, a
voice, in utUan toith our Eing^ in all the laws which are to bind us, and
to hare the free disposal of that property we clearly earn, and which they
pretend a right to extort from us, on what occasions and in what proportion
they please.'*
One who spoke his mind sa fireely, could hardly be safe when the British
forces took possession of Philadelphia two years after; and, accordingly,
from that time till they evacuated tiie city, he was compelled to rusticate in
Delaware.
In 1784, he published an Epitome of Qeography in verse, for the use of
schools, which was highly esteemed in its day. It was reviewed^ as an
Antiquarian curiosity, in Judge Hall's Western Monthly Hagasine, (pub-
lished in Oincinnati,) November, 1886. The Reviewer fell into a nustak^
however, in confounding the author with Mr. James Davidson, who was
altogether guiltiess of tiie sin of poetry, but who was also a Professor in
the same University, and sometimes called old Wiggie, from a habit he had
of pulling off his wig, and beating delinquent pupik with it. Of the skill
with which the poet mastered the difficulty of managing proper names, I
may give the following specnmen: —
" On the heights of the Alps much of Switserland lies.
" The Alps, whence the Bhine and the Bhone take their rise,
" Schaffhausen, and Baoel aod Bern,
" Apensel, and Zarlch and Swiase,
'' Uria, Zag, Underwald, and Lucerne,
" Solothum, Prlboiirg, and Glaris."
Sometimes I\e met with names so intractable that he&irly gave them up.
' A Monomotapan, 'tis hard to describe,
" Or pftint one of ICehenemngi's mde tribe,
" Of other mde nations strange things we might tell
" But time is too short, on such sabjects to dwell.
<' So mde e'en their names are, 'tis no easy thing,
*' Of Mataman, Katal, and Sonquas to shig;
" Or Sonsiqnas, SofUa, Sabia, press,
<< With Gonslquas, Odiquas, into mj verse."
While the young Professor thus assiduously devoted himself to the inief^
ests of literature, his judgment was held in high estimation in Ihe Ohurdi;
and although not a ready debater, his name is found in the Minutes tf tike
Qld Synod on the most important Committees. But a new spherciof duty
was now presented to him. Dickinson OoUege was founded in Oarlide
under the Presidency of the distinguished Dr. Nisbet, end he was jitvited
to become one of his coadjutors. ** His name will be of use tous/'-^^^vrofe
Pr* .Bush to Dr. Nisbet, '*for he is a man of learning, and offanezodlent
private dbaraoter.*' Upon taldng leave <yf the XJuversityit the Tnnteea
showed their sense of his merits and services, by confi9irriBg'o»Um:wt^
degree of Doctor of Divinity.
324 PBESBTTSBIAir.
Dr. Pavidflon wm thirty-foiur yean of age when be enUfred on lis new
and important duties* On the Ist of Noyember, 1784, he was appointed
Yioe President of IMokinflon College, and Professor of History and Belles
Lettres ; and, at the same time, became the Pastor of the Presbytenaa
Ohnroh of Carlisle. A serious division had reoently ooourred in that large
congregation, but their new pastor, by his oonoiHatory manners, suooeeded
in harmonising the discordant elements, and, for eight and twenty years,
while he' was connected with them, uninterrupted peace prevailed.
While he discharged his parochial duties with exemplary fidelity, he was
indefiktigable in meetmg his engagements in the College. The year after
his accession, he composed a Ditdogue in blank verse, in honour of the
patrons of the College, which was spoken in public and printed. - Every
inoment was occupied. His maxim was **a place for every things and
every thing in its place,^* By means of his systematic habits, he was con-
tinually enlarg^g his acquisitions. He made himself acquainted with
eight languages, — ancient, modem, and oriental ; he was well versed in The*
ology ; and was ftmiliar with the whole circle of science. But Astronomy
was his favourite study. He published some papers on this subject; and
invented an ingenious apparatus, called a " CosmotpAere, or Compound
Globe^** presenting the heaven and the earth to view on the same axis. By
means of a movable horiiontal plane, lodiao, solar index, &c., the relative
positioxis of the sun and moon, the length of the day, the changes of the
seasons, the time of eclipses, the precession of the equinoxes, and the rise
and Ml of the constellations, were rendered perfectly plain, and the solu-
tion of problems greatly fikcilitated.
He wa0 also an amateur and composer of sacred music, and, in his earlier
years, ainused himself with executiDg pen drawings, some of which (Louis
ZIV., and Marie Antoinette particularly) are great curiosities. They
have deceived connoisseurs, and have been taken for engravings, even by
the distinguished painter, Mr. Nagle. But, from the early date of all these
performances, it is evident that he had self-denial enough to sacrifice his
elegant tastes at the shrine of those sterner duties whi<£ absorbed all his
time and energy.
Called upon frequently to address the public on the great National Fes-
tivals, he always acquitted himself with credit, as his published Discourses
evince. But, in 1794, he was placed in an unusually trying position. On
the 28th of September of that year, he preached a sermon from Proverbs
xiii, 84, on **Uie Duties of Citizens," before a large body of troops, on
their way to suppress the Whiskey Insurrection; and agaih'on the 6th of
October, from II. Samuel vii, 28, on 'Uhe Freedom and Happiness of the
United States," before President Washington, Governor Mifflhi, and a large
pumber of forces bound on the same expedition. The first of these. Dr.
Miller describes as *'a judicious but modest and mild discourse, which,
though not very acceptable to the populace, gave but little offence." (Life
of Nisbet, p. 228.) This modest and mild discourse, (which was very dif-
ferent from the caustic sermon that followed in the afternoon from Dr*. Nisr
bdt, his colleague, in the church, and which nearly provoked a mob,) never-
theless denounced the ** guilt of rehellion^^'on the insurgeiits, and spoke
freely of the wickedness of ** countenancing mobs, riots,' and seditions/'
if the populace was displeased, the'authbrities Were highly grafifiedi and
BOBBBT DAYIOSOK. 92g
Goremor VWxa tendered to the Paator a 01iqpbun*ff OomnuBsioii, whioh
was koweyer decUned.
In 1796, Dr. Davidson attained one of the highest honours of the Ohnrchi
in being ohosen Moderator (the eighth in order) of the (General Assembly, —
an office whioh he filled with his aooustomed mingled dignity and afiabUity.
Upon the death of C^neral Washington, in 1799, he pronounced a Fune-
ral Enlogium, which is to be seen in a printed collection of Discourses,
elicited by that melancholy occasion ; and, upon the decease of Dr. Niabet,
in 1804, he paid a like tribute to his memory, — an extract from which may
be found in Dr. Miller's Life of Nisbet, pp. 290-296.
After this eyent, the burden of the GoUege deyolyed upon him, and for
fiye years he discharged the duty of President. In 1809, he resigned, to
deyote himself exdusiyely to his pastoral charge, and receiyed a yote of
thanks from the Trustees for his long and fiuthful services. A few months
previously, he had lost his second wife, after a brief union of two years —
Margaret, daughter of the Hon. John Montgomery, of OarUsle. He gave
vent to his grief in a touchmg Monody, which deserves mention as contain-
bg a prayer fulfilled long after its author was laid in the dust. The prayer
was for his in&nt and only son, that, if spared to riper yeam, *'A« might
tQ holy office rise" What encouragement may pious parents derive from
the recoiled fulfilment of such prayers !
In 1810, April 17th, Dr. Davidson was married to Jane, daughter of
the Hon. William Harris, Member of Assembly, and Oommissioner to issue
the old Oontinental money. This excellent lady, every way worthy of his
choice, still survives.* In 1811, he published ''The Christian's A. B. 0.,"
or the 119th Psalm, in metre, — each octave commencing with the appropri^
ate letter of the alphabet, with the exception of Q, X, and Z. This was
followed, the next year, by a ** New Metrical Version of the Psalms," with
annotations. It does not pretend to compete with Watts, but is far supe-
rior to Stemhold and Hopkins, improved by Bouse. All the versification
is not equally smooth. Astania from the 148th Psalm, is as favourable as
any, and will compare well^ evefi with Dr. Watts: —
'* Let bending age forget its cares,
'* And count his mercies o'er;
" And lisping itifkncy attempt
" His goodnen to adore."
But the time had now arrived, when this good man, pronounced by those
who knew him best, **a blessing to the circle he occupied," was to take his
leave of earth. He died of dropsy in the chest, after protracted agonies,
which' he bore as became a Christian, December IS, 1812, on the Sabbath
day, in the sixty-second year of his age. A Funeral Sermon, afterwards
printed, containing a sketch of his life and labours, was preached by his
intimate friend, Dr. Cathcart, of York.
As a preacher, Dr. Davidson was instructive, clear and unaffected, but
not fluent. He always had a better command of his pen than his tongue.
He could not make the briefest address, without first committing it to paper/
and then experienced great difficulty in remembering it. This embarras^T
ment was ^owing to sn unfeigned diffideBce and extreme sensibility, which
always prevented his making a figure as a debater or extempore speaker.
His judgment, however, was so mature, and his opinions so Well digested;
• She hM dieassed ilnoe tblf letter WM written.
826 FBSSBYTBBIAir.
ihat ho was in great reqiMt as a ooanadbr. Upon his toAhis-engnrref
the inscription, more enTiable than militarj trophies,— A BlsdMD'Pliicni-
, As a man of letters, his standing was high. His clear intdleot aikd
•ztensiYe acquirements gave him great aptitude for oommnnioating instruc-
tion. Of his diligent and studious habits, he left ample proof in twenty
manuscript yolumes of Sermons and Scientifio Lectures, in addition to aU
that he had given to the public through the press.
I remain, dear Sir,
Yours truly,
B. DAYIDSQN.
JAMES POWER, D. D *
1772—1880.
Jaxmb Powisn was bom at Nottingham, Ohester County, Pa., in the
year 1746. His father was a substantial farmer, and had emigrated early
in life from the North of Ireland, and settled amongst his countrymen, who
composed the majority of the nmghbourhood. He was fitted for ObUege in
his natiye place, at an Academy established and conducted by the Bey. Dr.
Samuel Finley, afterwards President of Princeton College; and he was
graduated at Princeton in 1766, — the last year of Dr. Finley's Presidency;
so that his whole literary training seems to haye been under that eminent
man. He was one of the students of OoUege, who yisited Dr. Finley on
his .death-bed, in Philadelphia; and the affecting scene left a powerful and
enduring impression on. his mind. Among his classmates in Oollege were
Oliyer Ellsworth, Dayid Howell, Luther Martin, Nathaniel Niles, and
seyeral othw eminent men.
He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Newcastle at Mill Greek,
on the 24th of June, 177^9 — ^haying been somewhat delayed in the prose-
cution of his theological studies by ill health. On the 28d of December
following, the Presbytery granted him leaye to trayd into Virginia; and
this journey he eyidently accomplished, as, in August of the next year, he
receiyed a call to settle oyer the united Oongregations of Highbridge, Gam-
bridge, and Oxford, in Bottetourt Gounty, Ya. This call, how^yer, he did
iiot accept, and whether he subsequently yisited and supplied |th^se oengre-
SMop$.,{oT a season is not known. But, in the summer of 1.774, he (^rop^
eAlIcj^^ay. Mountains, pmd spent three months as a missipi^ary, in wbat
lire now Westmoreland, Alleghany, Washington, and Fayette,. Cjou^ties, in
Fennsylyania.
At the expiration of this tour, he returned to the Bast, ^d preached.iui
a stated supply for nearly two years, — ^it is belieyed at West Nottingham,
and at anoA^sr place within the bounds of Maryland. In the spring of
1776, howeyer, he seetns to haye made up his inind to settle b the West ;
for on the 28d of May, of that year, the Presbytery determiped to ordain
him 0IM titulot at th^ next meeting in August, **as he was a^tit^.to
•Appendix lo BUioU'S Ufb of Maeor^.— Smttli'i Old SedrtoM.— SIS. ft«m n«T. Dr.
OamahaB.
JAMES FOWES. $27
remoye to the Western parts of this Proyinoe." In November following,
haTing reoeiyed ordination, ho removed with his family to Western Penn-
sylyania, and fixed them at a place called Dnnlap's Greek, near Browns-
yille. He became the Pastpr of Mount Pleasant and Sewiokly Congrega-
tions ; bat it seems to be a matter of question whether he took charge of
them immediately after his arrival in 1776, or whether he divided his
labours between them and other destitute churches in the region until the
spring of 1779, when he assumed the pastoral relation ; though the prepon-
derance of evidence would seem to be in favour of the latter supposition.
He retained the pastoral charge of these two congregations until April 22,
17.87, when a dissolution of the connection between him and the Sewickly
Congregation took place. But he remained in charge of Mount Pleasant,
until April 15, 1817, when, on account (^ advanced age and infirmity, the
pastoral relation between him and them was dissolved. He died August 6,
1880, in the eighty-fifth year of his age.
The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Jefferson
College in 1808.
Dr. Power was married to Mary Tanner, who was of German extraction,
and a daughter of an elder in the church of the Bev. James Finley. They
had eight daughters and no sons. The daughters were remarkably intelli-
gent and active women. Three of them bemune the wives of Presbyterian
ministers, and the others were married to respectable men in the neigh-
bourhood.
FROM THE BEY. JAMES OARNAHAK, D. D., L.L. D.,
nMODwn Of TKS oouMa or nw jnssr.
PBuronov, October 26, 1848.
Rev. and dear Sir: After our conversation the other day in respect to the Rev.
Dr. Power, it occurred to me that I probably knew him as well as any other
person living, and perhaps have as many recollections that would help to illus-
trate his character. He firequently beard me say my catechism in my difldbood,
and sometimes lodged at my fiither's house. I will, in compliance with your
request, as far as I am able, task my memory in respect to him.
In his person, Dr. Power was slender, erect, of a medium height, and at no
period of life, corpulent. His manners were easy, graoeftd, firee from affectation,
and such as made him agreeable to all classes of society. In his dress, he was
always plain, and at the same time remarkably neat; so that it was often mar-
velled at how he could ride on horseback, ten or twelre miles, in an uneren
country, over muddy roads, alight from his horse, and appear in the pulpit, or
on a preaching stand in the woods, with his clothes scarcely more soiled than
if he had come from his toilet the moment before. He always rode a good horse,
and it used to be said that he selected him with special reference to such a move-
ment as would not throw mud and dust on the rider.
In his conversation and manners, he was dignified and somewhat precise;
never indulging in lerity, and seldom in wit; and yet he was sociable, and fkt
from being morose or censorious.
His voice was not loud, but remarkably dear, and his enunciation so perfectly
distinct that he could be heard at a great distance, especially when he spoke;' as
was not unusual, in the open air. In his manner and style of preaching, he had
nothing of the vehemence and terror of his oontemporaiy^ the Rev. Br* John
Mclfillan, nor of the pungent and alarming address of the Rev. Joseph Smith-*-
both of them pioneers in Western Pennsylyania. His sermons were dear and
328 FBESBTTEBIAir.
methodicaii abounded in pertinent and eTing^ictl tbooght, well extmiaed^ md
were deUyered without notes, in a pleasing, rather than a remarkably forciUa ov
striking, manner. To the sober and jadicioos part of his andienee, who derived
instraction in the doctrines and duties of Qhristianity, rather than strong appeals
to the passions, Dr. Power's preaching was highly acceptable. His congrega-
tions and communicants gradually increased, although there was no remarkable
reviyal under his ministry, except that of 1802, which extended to every part of
Western Pennsylvania. In his doctrines, he was of the same school with the
Tenneots, Daries, Robert Smith, aod Samuel Finley.
To the children and youth of his charge Dr. Power paid particular attention;
and he was very snccessftd in securing their affection and ooniidenoe, and in
directiug their attention to their immortal interests: especially, when he met a
young person alone, it is believed he seldom &iled to make a solemn and affec-
tionate appeal to his heart and consdence. The remarkable talent which he
possessed of remembering names and of recognising persons to whom he had
been once introduced, gave him a peculiar advantage in his parochial duties. When
he visited a &mily, or on any occasion entered a house, he was in the habit of
asking the names of the children and domestics; and he would be able, after-
wards, to call each one by name, and remember correctly their reUtive ages,
even though the fkmily was a large one. If any one was absent, he was sura
to inquire for that one by name. The consequence was that he appeared to feel,
and no doubt did feel, an interest in each individual, and no one thought himself
overlooked or neglected. But it is a remarkable feet that, for three or four years
before his death, while retaining in good degree his physical powers, this feculty
of remembering and recognising persons so entirely ikiled, that he did not know
his own children, who resided in the neighbourhood, and who visited him almost
every week.
Dr. Power owned a large ferm; but, leaving the management of the ferm and
other domestic concerns to his wife and daughters, he devoted his whole time to
the duties of his sacred office. On account of the peculiar circumstances of the
country, he received a yery small pittance for his ministerial services; yet his
farm was managed so Judiciously, that, within a few years after their removal
to the West, his family lived in a very comfortable and respectable manner.
To appreciate the labours and self-denial of Dr. Power, and other deigymen
who settled in Western Pennsylvania, during the Revolutionary war, it is neces-
sary to keep in view the difflcidties and dangers to which, in common with other
pioneers, they were exposed. The Journey over the mountains — ^not less than
a hundred and twenty miles — ^was not what it now is. There were no Macad-
amised roads, or canals, or railroads. A horse path over rocks, and precipices,
and marshes, was the only way of access to what was significantly cUled ** the
Back Woods.'' Nor could the direct route through Phambersburg and Bedford
be Ukem with safety. Parties of Indians hovered around, and murdered many
fiunHies on their way to the West. On that road, there are places, whose names,
(snch as " the Burned Cabins," " Bloody Run," &c.,) to this day, indicate
the barbarous acts of that period. To avoid the tomahawk and scalping-knife,
a Southern route through Hagerstown, Hancock, and Cumberland, in Msryland,
was usually taken, thence following Braddock's road over the mountains. And
this road was not suitable to wheel carriages. Many, like Father McMillan,
passed through the ** Great Yalley " to Staunton in Yiiginia, and thence over
the mountains to Tfger's Yallej. At present, a Journey to Missouri or Iowa
can be performed in less time, and with less than balf the labour and danger,
necessary, at that time, to'reach " the Back Woods." When the mount^ns
were passed, accommodations, • not very attractive, were found. In the whole
County of Westmoreland, then covering more than twice the space it now does^'
fliere was not, in 1781, a single stone, or brick, or frames house. All the inhabit
JAKES POWEBT. |^
tents li?ed in log cabitts, more or less oomfortaUe, aooording to the meuis of the
oceupAnts. The diffionlty of obtaining articles necessary in carrying on fkrming
operations was rery great. Iron, with which that country now aboonvUif had
to be carried on pack horses over the monntains; and 'salt, which now may be
purchased for twenty cents, could not, at that time, be had for less than flye dol-
lars, per bashel. The want of mills to grind their bread was seyerely 61t. In
addition to these difBlcnlties, and others which I omit, the inhabitants were not
safe from the incursions of the Indians. In 1782, the year after Dr. Power
arriyed, Banna's Town, the seat of Oonnty Justice, twelye miles from Mount
Pleasant, was burned, seyeral persons killed, and the daughters of *Hanna, the
proprietor of the place, were carried off captiye by the Indians. Between the
years 1780 and 1785, the Indians made seyeral incursions into the Sewickly set-
tlements, murdered fiimilies, and retreated oyer the Alleghany Riyer, before men
could be collected to pursue them. The accommodations for public worship
were also as rare and unsightly as the priyate dwellings of the people. They
did not wait until they were able to erect a stone or brick building, costing from
two to ten thousand dollars; nor did they send commissioners to ask aid from
thdr wealthier brethren in the East. They took their axes, cut down trees,
and, with their own hands, erected a log building, to protect them from the
snow in winter, and from Uie rain in summer. Except in inclement weather,
they worshipped in the open air, under the shade of the natiye forests.
Posterity will And it difficult to conceiye of the rudeness of these primiti^
churches. They were constructed entirely with the axe. No saw, or plane, or
eyen hammer to driye a nail, was used; for neither nails, or iron in any other
shape, were employed. The roof was of dap-boards, kept in their places by
logs laid upon them; and the doors were also clap-boards, fastened by wooden
pins to cross-bars, projecting sufficiently &r, at one side, to form a part of the
hinge. The windows were small openings out, in two adjacent logs, and were
glazed with oil paper or linen. The floors, when any they had, were deft logs,
smoothed by the axe. These churches were of different forms. The most sim-
ple and common were square or paralldogramic, haying only four sides,— «
single log extending from comer to comer. But when the congregation was
large, and timber of suffident length could not be had to make a four-sided stmo-
ture of suitable dimensions, the cradform was adopted; and there were twdye
sides and twelye comers. In justice to these old fashioned Presbyterians, it
must be understood that the twdye sides and the twelye comers were not
intended to represent the twelye Apostles; nor was the cruciform adopted from
a rdigious regard to the rales of ecclesiastical architecture, but to secure strength
and conyenience. And such buildings were both strong and conyenient. The
parts mutually supported each other, and one part of the transept was the
preacher's stand, and the other part opposite accommodated a portion of the
audience.
It need hardly be remarked that the style of both priyate and public build-
ings in that country has entirdy changed. No people liye more comfortably, or
haye more conyenient houses of public worship, than the descendants of the pion-
eers of Western Pennsylyania.
The people to whom Dr. Power ministered, were chiefly the descendants of
Scotch-Irish. Their forefothers had fled from Scotland to Irdand, and from Ire-
land to this country, to escape rdigious persecution. Educated under Presby-
terian influence, and finmiliar with the doctrines of the Westminster Confession
of Futh, they retained, in a good degree, the rdigious customs of their ances-
tors. The Shorter Oatechism was learned at school, and was recited eyery Sab-
bath eyening at home, by young and old. The pastor, accompanied by an dder,
yisited, as he was able, the femilies bdonging to his charge, prayed with them,
and gaye them such adyice as the case of each required. After he had gone from
Vol m. 42
^SQ 9BSSBTTSRIAK.
bouse to hoiiMy in i^ purticalAr ne^gfaboarhopdy he ajqMrinied a general meetinf ,
which all the fiunilieB in the diatrict were expected to attend. And at theae
meetinga he examined the heada of ikmiliea, the young people^ and the ohildren,
in aeparate diyiaiona, aa to their knowledge of the Oatechiam, and the doetrinea
and dutiea therein taught, and doaed the whole with a diaooorae auited to the
ooeaaion.
Dr. Power punctually and ftithftdly continued thia custom. The conaequence
waa that both old and young were excited to diligence in the atndy of the Sacred
Soripturea, and of the Oatec^iama of the Preabyterian Church; and among theae
hardy Back Woods people, you would find indiyiduala much better inatruoted
in thiB great trutha of the Bible than many at the preaent day, placed in more
&vourable drcumatancea.
• The part of the country in which Dr. Power exerdaed hia miniatry, waa prin-
cipally settled by young fkmiliea. When he commenced hia laboura, few of the
children in that region had been baptised; and, aa the new aettlera were a pro-
lific race, he had much to do in adminiatering the ordinance of baptiam, ao that
he ibund it oonyenient to appoint aet daya for the purpose. On theae oocaaiona,
he would aometimea haye from thirty to forty children presented at once; and,
on one day, he baptised aa many aa aixty. His sendees were also frequently
put in requisition for performing the ceremony of marriage. In connection with
this branch of his duty, the following anecdbte is told of him: — As no bridges
hfd then been erected, the streams were often quite impassable. Haying to cross
one of these swollen torrents to marry a couple, he found, when he readied it,
that, it could not, by any possibility, be forded. In this dilemma, word was,
by some means, conyeyed to the young couple, when they immediatdy made
their way to the riyer, and the minister standing on the one side, and they on
the other, he solemniied the marriage. The law then required the pnblieation
of the bands, and on some Sabbaths, four or fiye announcements of this kind
would be made.
Though a portion of this communication is not more applicaMe to Dr. Power
than to some other of the early ministers of Western Pennsylyania, yet, as it
relates to a state of things in which he largely shared, and which may be con-
sidered now of common interest, I thought I might as well introduce the fiusts,
as illustrating the perils and trials amidst which, ibr a considerable period, he*
exercised his ministry.
Very sincerely and respectfully yours,
JAMES OARKAHAll.
nKnas &nsx. ^
THOMAS REESE, D.D*
1778—1796.
Thomas Bxxbi was born in PennsylyaniA, in the year 1742. When
he 'Wta qniie yonng, he iremoTed, with his father's famUy to Mecklenburg
Cotinty, N. 0., where he proseonted his etadies preparatory to entering
College, at an Academy, nnder the instmotion of the Bey. Joseph Alex-
aUdert and a Mr. Benedict. In due time, he became a member of ihe Ool-
lego of New Jersey, where he receiyed the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in
1768. After his gradnation, he returned to South Carolina, and; haybg
deyoted some time to the study of Theology, was licensed to preach, and
ordained to the work of the ministry, by the Orange Presbytery, in 1778.
Soon after he commenced preaching, he accepted a call from Salem Church,
Snmpter District, S. C, where he continued in the quiet and fidthful dis-
charge of his duties, till he was driyen away by the storm of the Beyolu-
tion.
It is well known that South Carolina was the scene of some of the most
barbarous outrages thai were perpetrated during the Beyolutionary war.
The whole order of things, socisl, ciyil, and religious, was interrupted.
This was more especially the case during the years 1780 and 1781. From
the time of the surrender of Charleston, public worship was almost uniyer-
sally suspended, and most of the churches, both in tiie town and in the
country, were burnt, or occupied by the enemy as military depots, or in
some other way shamefully desecrated. As there was no opportunity for
nunisters of the Gospel to exercise their yocation either in public or in
priyate, and as an attempt to remain at their posta inyolyed the utmost
peril, the greater part of them went into exile ; and among them was the
subject of this sketch. It was in his congregation that the murders perpe-
trated by Harrison of Tory memory, and his followers, commenced ; and
some of the excellent members of his flock were among the yioitims.
Knowing, as he did, that any attempt to administer consolation beyond his
own fitidly would be reckoned as sedition, and would be punished with
death, he wisely fled before the storm, and took his family to Mecklenburg,
N. C, where he continued to preach under many priyations.
On the return of peace in 1782, Mr. Beese returned to his congregation
in Salem, and resumed his pastoral duties with great ardour. He also
deyoted much time to study, and became distmgmshedfor his acquirements,
not only in Theology, but in Philosophy, and other kindred branches.
About this time he commenced his admirable Bssay on the influence of
Beligion on Ciyil Society, which was published in 1788,— a work which, it
• BsBMay*! HIat. 8. 0.> n.— Sooth. Pmb. Bar., YI.
t JotapH ALizAHDaB WM gnduted »t Uia College of New Jenej, ia 1760 1 wtp lloenfed
to preaoh the Ooepel, hj the Freibjterj of NeweeeUe, In 1767; and in Oetober of that jett
moented Ui oredentUIs to ihe Hanorer Pieetartery, and eeeepted a eeU from Boger Oraek.
N. 0. Hii ordination took plnee at BnflUo on &e4tti or Varab, 17081 and in Mi^ fottowiag,
ba wu imtaUed paetor of* Sogur Greek. He fobeeqnentlr remored to Ba]toek>i (Aaek, 8. OT,
where he exerdied hie mlnif&y, and tanghl a eehool of a high ordei^ ae bo had alto done la
Korib Carolina. He reeelTed the degiae of Boetor of Divinitj from the ColM of South
Carolina in 1807. He died about the yeer 1808. A Tolnme of bii Sennou was imbUibed after
hlf death. He wae a man of iman itatore, bat of flne talenti and aoeompUihmeBtv, and aa
nneominonlj animated and popnlar praaeber. He was an aidant patriot h the Berokitioa.
Bit wife wae a dani^tcr of FrMidant DaHee.
^2 rSBWYSBMAX.
htm been nod by lugli anihoriij, wmdd liave been creditable to ike pen of
Warbvrton, or Paley ; bat, like most Amerioan prodnotions of that day, it
neyer paeaed to a seoond edition. It proonred ftir tke'anthor the degree of
Dootor of Diyinity from the Oollege of New Jersey, wkioh ia belieyed to
have been the first instance of its being conferred on a Carolinian.
In the winter of 1792 or 1798, Dr. Beese accept^ an inyitation to a
pastoral charge in Pendleton District, S. 0., being among the first who
remored from the low oonntry to the upper. Here he had the care of two
ohnxohes, one near Seneca Biyer, and the other some ten or twelye miles
distant In these chnrohes he labonred nntil the decline of his health,
occasioned, as was supposed, by a change of climate, obliged him to desist.
In the latter part of his life he was attacked with hydrothoraz, which occa-
sioned him great suffering, and preyented him from lying down for weeks
pieyious to his death. He manifested the most exemplary patience during
his illness, and died, sustained by the hope of a better Ufe, in 1796, aged
fifty-four years. His remams lie in the graye-yard, attached to the Old
Stone Ohurch, near the yillage of Pendleton.
Beside the Essay already referred to. Dr. Beese published two Sermons
in the American Preacher, 1791, and a Farewell Sermon to his Oongrega-
tion in Salem.
Dr. Beese, though yery diligent in his profession, united with the minis-
ter of the Qospel, to some extent, both the teacher and the physician. For
fiye or six years, and that after he had passed the meridian of life, beside
preaohii&g on the Sabbath, and lecturing to the coloured part of his congre-
gation, he conducted, during the week, with yery little assistance, a large
classical schooL He had also giyen considerable attention to medicine, and
had made himself particularly acquainted with the more common diseases
of the South ; and this knowledge he was enabled to turn to good account,
especially in a part of the country where it was difficult to command medi-
cal aid.
Dr. Bamsey, the Historian, who must haye known Dr. Beese well, says
of him, —
"He left behind him the character of a dlstingaished scholar, and an eminently
pious man.*'
Ohancellor James of South Oarolina aays of him, —
'* In oontemplaUng the meek and unobirnsiye manners of this eminent aenraat of
the Moat High, we do not hesitate to say he was a pattern of Christian charity, as
nearly resemhling his Dirine Maater as has been exhibited by any of bia contemporary
iUlow Uboorera in the Gospel.*'
Dr. J. B. Witherspoon, of Transylvania Uniyerrity, writes thus concern-
ing him in the Presbyterian Beyiew : —
'' Dr. Reese was in person easy of access^ friend to hnman nature, but partioolarly
attached to men of soence and religion. With powers of mind equal to his beneyo-
lence and pie^, he justly held a conspicuoui station among eminent and good men.
• ••••• His appearance in the pulpit waa mceftU and dianiSed, bia s^le
flowing and elegant. He waa in the habit goneraDy ot writing out his aermons with
great oaie^andaeldomiifeTer, took the manuscript into the pulpit. His preaching waa
of the extempore kind, adding to the mature reflections of the study the powers of bis
natiye oratory. His flowing tears, and often suppressed yoioe, told the ftelina of the
heart, anxious only for the salyatton of souls and the if ory of OM, Like Paul, he
warned hia hearera, day and night, with tears. Hia success in his ndnistsrial labours
eyinced the power and presence of the Holy Spirit."
KATHAHIEL IBWIN. ggg
NATHANIEL IRWIN.
1778—1812.
FROM THE EEV. JAMES P. WILSON, D. D.
Nbwabk, N. J., Jane 16, 1867.
Hy dear Sir: I am glad that yoa are dispoBed to give to the Key. Nathan-
iel Irwin, formerly the minister of Neehaminy, a place in yonr forth-oommg
work, and am more than willing to do any thing in my power to form a
Boitable memorial of him. Yoa are aware that nearly all his contempora-
ries have passed away, and the few that remain hare, for the most plirt,
general impressions, rather than exact information, concerning him. My
opportunities for becoming acquainted with his history and character were
perhaps as good as they conld be, considering that I was a little too late to
have any personal knowledge of him. Hy first eight years of ministerial
life were passed in connection with the Charoh of which he was the admired
and beloved Pastor for thirty-eight years ; and his memory there is fresh
and fragrant to this day. My &ther, with whom he was in most intimate
relations, used to talk much about him, and always expressed for him the
hi^est respect and affection. He preached his Funeral Sermon, at the ear-
nest request of the bereaved congregation.
Nathaniel Ibwin was bom at Fagg's Manor, Ohester County, Pa., on
the 17th of October, 1766. Of his parentage nothing can now be ascer-
tained, though it is believed that he was of Scotch Irish descent. He was
graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1770, being a contemporary and
acquaintance there of James Madison, President of tiie United States, to
whom he once paid a visit at the Capital, during his incambency.
Soon after his graduation, he commenced the study of Theology, placing
himself under the care of the Newcastle Presbytery, by which he was
licensed to preach the Gospel between the meetbgs of Synod in 1772
and 1778. He took charge of the Neshaminy Church on the 1st of May,
1774, and was ordained and installed as its Pastor, by the First Presbytery
of Philadelphia, on the 3d of November following. In this relation he con-
tinued till his death, which occurred on the 8d of March, 1812, in the fifty-
sixth year of his age.
Mr. Irwin was not only in great favour with his own people, but was
much esteemed and highly honoured by his brethren in the ministry. He
was distinguished for his knowledge of human nature; for his great direwd-
ness in the management of difficult cases, and for a very uncommon facility
at despatching public business. Scarcely any man exerted more influence
than he in the General Assembly. His fitmiliar acquaintance with all the
forms of eoclesiastioal procedure, his almost intuitive perception of the right
and the wrong of every subject, in connection with the high respect i^t
was felt for him, and the almost implicit confidence that was reposed in him,
gaye to his opinions and counsels a weight in that venerable Body, which
rendered him at once one of its most prominent and useftd members. One
instance in particular is remember^ m which, by his wise and timely iatei^
position, he was instrumental of making clear an involved case, of cnttmg
fhort a troublesome debate, and of securing the rights and vindicating the
384 PRXSBTTB&XAH.
olutraoter of an individual, who, from miMpprehonflioii of hifl viewis on tlio
part of the Aasombly, seemed in danger for a time of anffering aevere injna-
tioe. As an evidenoe of the estimation in whioh he was held for his talent
at pnblio business, I may mei^tton that he was Cleric of the Old Synod of
New York and Philadelphia from 1781 to 1785; was Moderator of the
General Assembly in 1801 ; and was Permanent Olerk of the same Body
from 1802 to 1807.
As a preaoher, Mr. Irwin attained to a high rank among the ezoellent
preaehors of his time. He was clear, fluent, foroible, and often deeply
pathetio. He was partionlarly distinguished for his felidtoiis servioes at
funerals— not only for his tender and impressive style of address, but for
his ability to meet the peculiar circumstances of each case in the most
appropriate and impressive manner. He was accustomed to ride to church
on his " marc Dobbin," and was in the habit of " letting her have her head,"
as he called it— that is, letting the rein lie loose upon her neck; and she
went slowly along while he prepared his sermon. He commonly cut across
the fields; and the neighbours on Sunday morning used to let the bars
down that he might not find any difficulty in his way to church.
In private life, his manners were generally somewhat distant — certainly
they were not lacking in clerical dignity — and yet it was not difficult for
him to unbend amongst intimate friends, and he was by no means averse
occasionally to a harmless joke; He was, too, notwithstanding his ordinary
reserve, fond of the company of young people, especially of young ladies,
and he sometimes had parties at his house for their amusement — indeed I
think he saw no harm in some amusements which most of his brethren were
inclined to reprobate. He was passionately fond of muric, and often
indulged himself in playing on the violin.
Mr. Irwin was probably the most thoroughly scientific man of his day in
the county in which he lived; and ho took pleasure in making his knowledge
praoticsl and usefuL He was the first person who took John Fitch, (of
steamboat memory,) who was a Bucks County man, by the hand, and
encouraged him in his scientific investigations. And the autobiography of
Fitch is now in the Philadelphia Library, in manuscript, addressed to the
Bev. Nathaniel Irwin.
In the public and political concerns of the day, Mr. Inrin did not scruple
to bear his part. A distinguished citiien of Bucks Gounty, who knew him
well, writes thus concerning him: — " He was a clear-headed, strong-minded
and persevering politician ; and amongst lairyers, a first-rate bush-kiryer —
the last a favourite character — ^the foot on which he limped. He sent for
me at the oommencement of his last illness to write his will, and counselled
me, among his last words, to have nothbg to do with law-suits." At a
time when the dispute ran high as to the location of the Court House of
Bucks County, he entered wi^ great seal into the oontest, and it was very
much through his influence that it was ultimately flxed at Doylestown.
There iqppeared at the time a printed caricature, representing Parson Irwin
tuggpng, in his shirt sleeves and widi his hat off, widi all his might, to pull
the building in the direction of Doylestown.
Mr. Irwin was twice married, and his second marriage was fruitful only
of trouble. Indeed he was the subject of complicated domestio afflictions^
which douded his latter days, and finally broke his heart, and, as was gen*
eraUy supposed, pc^ofunpned his lamented death. He had not a large salary.
HATHAKIEL IBWHT. 335
but by oireftil muiigemeiit he placed himself in eaay oiroiiiiistaiieeB, aad
left behind him qiodte aa eetafte. . .
Dr. Alexander, on hia first attendance at the General Aaaembly in 1791|
saw Mr. Irwin for the ftnt time, and, as the Memoir of hia Life inlbrma na,
made the following note oonceniing him: — "Nathaniel Irwin of Neshv
miny was an inflnential member of this Assembly. He was very tall, and
had a voice the sonnd of which prodnoed alarm, on a first hearing. .He
always took his stand at a place the most remote from the chair, and seemed
to ntter eveiy thing with ihe greatest sonnd he conld command. It was
easy to discern that as his head was literally long, so it was intellectoally.*'
Tonrs very sincerely,
JAKES P. WILSON.
SAMUEL STANHOPE SMITH, D. D., L L. 0 *
1778—1819.
Sakuxl Stanhopx Smith was bom March 16, 1760, at Peqnea, Lan-
caster Oonnty, Pa. His fiiiher was the Bey. ttobert SmitJi, a distingnished
clergyman of the Presbyterian Ghnrch, who emigrated from Ireland, and
established, and for many years superintended, an Academy, which supplied
many able and excellent ministers to the denomination with which he was
connected. His mother was Blisabeih, daughter of the Bct. Samuel Blair,
and BUter to Samuel and John Blair, all of whom were among the most
prominent clergymen of dieir day. She was a lady of high intellectual
endowments, as well as excellent moral qualifies, and fitted to grace the
most exalted station in society. The son, at a very early period, gave indi-
cations of possessing a mind of no common order ; and the parents quickly
determined to give him the best advantages within their reach for cultiyat-
ing it. When he was only six or seven years old, he commenced the study of
the languages in his father's school ; and, as his fitther had employed some
most accomplished teachers from abroad as his assistants, perhaps scarcely
any school in the country, at thai day, furnished better adyantages for
becoming thoroughly grounded, especuJly in the classics. The only lan-
guage allowed to be spoken in the school was Latm ; and whoever uttered a
woid in the mother tongue was marked as a delinquent. Toung Smith
made the best of his opportunities, and was distinguished fer his improve-
ment in every branch to which he directed his attention.
Of his earliest religious exercises it is believed that no record has sur-
vived him. He seems, from childhood, to have evinced a serious turn of
mindf a^d to have taken littie interest in the sports in which his school-
fellows indulged. He was accustomed to listen to sermons from the pulpit
wjith great attention, and often, at the dose of the service, could repeiat a
considerable portion of what he had heiurd. He also showed his predilec-
tion for the clerical profession, by sometimes gathering around him his
brptiiers and siBters, and going through, as if he were a clergyman, with the
various exerdses of public worship. In the absence of his &ther, he sqn^
• Ulb ty I>r. Btftd«7«—W« ft« Us ^tMfl^ttf I lln. BMdram^
FRVSBTTEBIAir.
timea took tke UbA in frmily prmyer* He beoame a oomxiniBioaiii in the
Ghuroli under bu father's oare, while he yet remained under the patenal
roof.
When he was in Iiis sixteenth year, be was sent to OoUege at Prinoeton:
it was durbg the period that intervened between the death of President
Finley and Dr. Witherspoon's aocession to the Presidency, while the Col-
lege was under the charge of several eminent Professors, and among them
his maternal uncle, — ^the Bey. Pr. John Blair. Notirithstanding his youth,
he entered the Junior class, and immediately took rank among the best
scholars. Dr. Witherspoon arrived from Scotkuid, and entered on the duties
of his office, while l^e was an undergraduate ; and before he had completed
hi^ eighteenth year, he had received the Degree of Bachelor of Arts, under
circumstances the most honourable to his talents and aoquirements, and the
most gratifying to his ambition.
During his collegiate course, Mr. Smith was in great danger of making
shipwreck of his religious principles, in consequence of his intimacy with
ifr. Periam, the Senior Tutor, who had embraced Bishop Berkeley's theory,
denying the existence of the material universe. Mr. P. had so much influ-
ence over his pupil, that, for a time, he succeeded in making him not only a
convert to his strange opinions, but an earnest advocate of them ; insomuch
that Mr. Smith's friends began to have the most serious apprehensions that
he had become a permanent victim to one of the worst kinds of philosophi-
cal insanity. Happily, however, when Dr. Witherspoon arrived from Scot-
land, he brought with him the works of several distinguished Scottish
philosophical writers, particularly Beid and Beattie, the influence of which
was quickly perceptible, in bringing back this gifted young man into the
regions of common sense. It was only for a short time that this aberration
continued, and when his mind had once become steadfSut in the right, it
became so for life.
After taking his degree at Princeton, he returned to his &ther's house,
and spent some time, partiy in assistmg him in conducting his school, and
partiyin vigorous efforts for the higher cultivation of his own mind. He
read the finest models in polite Uterature, and the most accredited authors
in intellectual and moral philosophy. He ako occasionally tried his hand
at writmg poetry, but he was not much flattered by the result of his efforts,
and he seems to have abandoned his devotion to the Muses on the ground
thai ** Poeta nascitur non jU"
He had not been long in this new sphere of labour, before he wss invited
to return to Princeton as a Tutor in the College, especially in the depart-
ments of the Classics and the Belles Lettres. Here h^ remained for
upwards of two years, — ^from 1770 to 1778, — discharging his. duties in con-
nection with the institution with exemplary fidelity and to great acoeptanoe,
while, at the same time, he was pursuing a course of theological study in
reference to the ministry. About the time of resigning his Tutorship, he
was licensed to preach by the Piresbytery of Newcastle.
' As his health had suffered not a little from severe application, he deter-
mined, previous to assuming the responsibility of a stated chaige, to spend
some time as a missionary in the Western Counties of Virginia. When he
reached that part of the country, he received a most co;rdial welcome from
many Irish Presbyterians, who had settied there, and, at the same time,
found a state of thbgs that seemed to promise well to an eaniest and fkith-
SAKUEL STAKfiOPB SUTH. 337
fbl mimBtry. Beligion was at an ezoeedingly low ebb in Yirginia,'and tbe
profiMsed ministers of the Ooepel, with oomparatiTely few exoeptiona,
commanded bnt little reapeot. When, therefore, a preacher of strongly
marked and elevated character appeared, — a man of not only coltiyated
mind and exemplary deportment, bat evangelical spirit and captivating
oratory, it was not strange that an intense and general interest should be
awakened by his ministrations. Accordingly, he soon became an almost
universal favourite. Persons, without distinction of sect or of rank, flocked
to hear him ; and those who had been entranced by the eloquence of
Davies, seemed to feel as if another Davies had arisen. So powerful an
impression did he make, that some of the most wealthy and influential
persons soon set on foot a project for detaining him there, as the head of a
Uteraiy institution ; and in a short time the funds requisite for establishiug
such an institution were subscribed. The necessary buildings were forth-
with erected, and the Seminary was subsequently chartered by the Legisla-
ture, under the name of Hampden Sidney College.
While these preparations were going forward, Mr. Smith was laboriously
occupied in performing the missionary tour which had been the originid
object of his visit to Virginia. The new GoUege being now nearly ready
to commence its operations, he returned to the North, add formed a matri-
monial alliance with the eldest daughter of Dr. Witherspoon. He then
went back to Virginia, and took upon himself the double office of Principal
of the Seminary, and Pastor of the Ohurch ; and the duties of each he dis-
charged in such a manner as to fulfil the highest expectations that had been
formed concerning him.
But, after three or four years, his constitution, which was never very
vigorous, was found to be giving way, under the vast amount of care and
responsibility to which his situation subjected him. A slight bleeding at
the lungs commenced, which admonished him to take at least a temporary
respite from labour ; and, by the adnce of his friends, he resorted to a
watering place among the Western mountains, which was then acquiring
considerable celebrity under the name of the " Sweet Springs." A residence
there of a few weeks caused his unfevourable symptoms, in a great measure,
to disappear, so that he returned to his family with his hedth in a good
degree renovated.
At this period, (1779,) he was invited to the chair of Moral Philosophy
in the OoUege of New Jersey; and, notwithstanding his strong attachment
to the infent Seminary in Virginia, of which he might be said to be the
founder, the prospect of a more extended sphere of usefulness in connection
with his Alma Mater ^ induced him to accept the appointment. Upon his
arrival at Princeton, however, a most unpromisbg state of things presented
itsel£ The OoUege was then in ruins, in consequence of the uses and
abuses to which it had been snhjeoted by both the British and American
soldiers, during the previous years of the Revolutionary war. The students
were dbpersed, and all its operations had ceased. Mainly by the energy,
wisdom, and generous self devotion, of Mr. Smith, the OoUege was speedily
reorganised, and all its usual exercises resumed. For several yean. Dr.
Witherspoon, though retaining the office of President, was enpged as a
member of Oongress, in the higher afairs of the nation. Af^r this, he
spent some time in Great Britain, in endeavouring to coUect money to
replenish the exhausted funds of the institution. And, not I<Hig after his
Vol. m. 43
888 PRSSBTTEBIAir.
return, he was afflicted with total blindneBs, and many bodily infihnitieay
which, in a great meaanre, incapacitated him for the dntiea of hia office aa
President. It is not too much to say, therefore, that, dnring this whole
period, notwithstanding Dr. Witherspoon's name oonld not fail to ahed
glory over the institution, and he was always intent upon ther promotion of
its interests, whether present or absent, yet it was indebted for no small
degree of its prosperity to the unceasing' vigilance, the earnest efforts, .the
distinguished ability, of Mr. Smith.
Sometime after he had become established in his Professorship at Prince-
ton, there was a recurrence of his former malady, in a greatly aggravated
form, which, for a time, clouded the bright hopes which the commencement
of his career had inspired. In November, 1782, he was suddenly overtaken
with a violent hemorrhage from the breast, which was checked only by a
copious bleeding in the arm and foot. The same thing occurred at a little
later hour, the next day, and so, regularly, for several successive days ;
the blood being restrained, in each case, only by the use of the lancet. Mr.
Smith, havbg remarked that the flux returned at stated mtervals, proposed
to anticipate its approach by opening a vein, a little before the time when
he had reason to expect it. His physician objected to this, on the ground
that his strength was so &r gone that it would be preposterous to haiard
the letting of blood beyond the absolute necessity of Uie case. He, how-^
ever, remained steadfast in his own opinion, and at length obtained a lancet'
from his physician, with a view to his using it upon himself when he felt
that the case demanded it. He used it the next day, and with the desired
effect ; and continued to use it, until he finally succeeded in subduing the
disease. For a considerable time he was so fiur reduced aa to be unable to
help himself, or to speak above a whisper; but his strength gradually
returned, so that he was able$ at no dutant period, to resume his duties in
the Gollege. For several years, however, he never ventured an effort in
the pulpit, unless on some rare occasion, and then with the utmost caution
and restraint It is said that, during the whole of his subsequent life,
whenever he felt any symptoms of a recurrence of his old complaint, he
was accustomed to resort promptly to the lancet, and always with complete
In 1783, he was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Divinity 6om
Yale Gollege ; and, in 1810, the degree rf Doctor of Laws was conferred
upon him by Harvard University.
In the year 1786, Dr. Smith was elected an honorary member of the
Ameriean Philosophical Society in Philadelphia,-^-an institutton, distin*
gnished not only for being the flirst of its kind, in the order of time, in.the
•eeontry, but for numbering among its members many of the most brillianti
profound, and erudite minds of which the country oould boast. The
same year he was appointed to deliver their Jbiniversary Address; /aad.he
met the occasion in a manner which, of itself, would have conferred lastfasg
honour upon his name. - Th^ object of the Addresa waato exphnu'the causes
of the variety in' the figure and complexion of th# human spedes, «nd to
establish the identity of the race. It was published in the **:Tninsaet]ons"i
of the Society, and was subsequently publidied inian-enfaurged andimprored
form, in a separate volume. : . With this work hia repatatka(,> iff •• {dbflo-.
sopher, both at hone and abroad, is, in no small degree^ identfeled. ^ ^.^ >
SAKUBL STANHOPE SUTH. 339
In 1786, be was Msooiated with Beveral of the most distidgiushed and
venerable men in the Presbjtexian Ghnroh, snoh as Witherspoon, MoWhorter,
Alison, Bwing, io,, in preparing the Form of Presbyterial Goyemment,
whioh continnes to the present time. His oomprehensiye views and inti-
mate aoqnaintanoe with all the forms of eoolesiastioal prooednre eminently
qualified him for that important service.
Dr. Widierspoon died in 1794 ; and the same year Dr. Smith snooeeded
to the honours ^d responsibilities of the office whioh his death had vacated.
Besides being highly popular as the head of the insUtution, he had now
aoqnired a reputation as a pulpit orator which rendered it an object for
many, even from remote parts of the country, to listen to his preachmg.
His Baccalaureate Discourses particularly, which were addressed to the
Senior class, on the Sabbath immediately preceding their graduation, were
always of the highest order ; and it was not uncommon for persons to go even
from New York and Philadelphia, — a distance of some forty miles, to listen
to them. One of his most splendid performances was his Oration, delivered
at Trenton, on the death of Washington : the occasion roused his feumlties to
the utmost, and the result was a production of great beauty and powi»r. In
1779, he published a volume of Sermons, which were regarded as an impor-
tant coniribution to that department of our country's literature; They are
characterised rather by general than particular views of evangelical truth,
by a correct, elevated, and perhaps somewhat elaborate, style, by occasibnal
bold and eloquent apostrophes, and by many stirring appeals to the heart
and conscience.
In the spring of 1802, when the institution was at the full dde of its pros-
perity, the OoUege edifice, through some instrumentality that was never fully
ascertained, was burnt, together with the libraries, furniture, and fixtures of
every description. Indeed all was gone, except the charter, the grounds, and
the naked walls of brick and stone ; together with the exalted character of the
Seminary, and the commanding reputation of its President. After the first
stunning effect of the calamity had passed away, but one sentiment per-
vaded all ranks of the people; and that was a determination to contribute
the necessary funds to rebuild the house, and sustain the institution. The
Trustees resolved to proceed immediately in the work of renovation ; confi-
dently relying on the support which the public feeling seemed so plainly to
promise. They were not disappointed. Dr. Smith made a begging tour
through the Southern States, and returned in the following springs with
about one hundred thousand dollars ; which, with liberal collections made
in other parts of the Union, enabled him to accomplish vastly more than
he had ventured to anticipate. This was his crowning achievement. He
had won new honours, and guned many new friends. The College was
popular and prosperous, and numbered two hundred^ students^ ■-'■ Newibnild^
iiigs were soon erected, and several new Professors were added <to: itiie
Faculty^f
From dus period, nothing occurred in Dr. Smith's life worthy of )iqpecial
remark until the year 1812, when, by reason of repeated strokes dkpisy^
he became too much eitfeebled to discharge any longer the duties of Ids
offioe. He, therefore, at the next Oommencement, iendered hiBrmignation
INI President^ and retb^ to a place which the Board of Tmsfees tprovided
for him» and there spent the remainder of his life.' Eor/seveSnilvyeaz^iflier
occupied himself in revising and preparing for th^ press Mm ^hk^itoAmp
S40 PBSSBTTERJAir.
bat; ftt length, diietae bad made raeb havoo witb bis coiistitatiany tbat ba
was Boaxoelj oi^able of any mental lab<mr, ihongb be waa still yiaited bj
many of bis friends, and, to tbe last, was tbe pride and joj of tbe domestic
eirole. AiUr a long eoorse of gradual and abnoat imperoeptible decline,
be died, in tbe utmost tranquillity, on tbe 21s|- of August, 1819, m tbe
seyentietb year of bis age. A Sermon was preaebed on ^e ooeanbn of bis
death, by tJie Bey. Dr. Woodbull of Freehold. His remains repose by the
side of bis illustrious predecessors. His wife died on the 1st of April,
1817. They had nine children, fiye of whom suryiyed him.
When I entered tbe Tbeologioal Seminary at Princeton, Dr. Smith was
still liying, though too fBcble to mingle b any of the ooncems of actiye
life. He was able, boweyer, in pleasant weather, to attend public seryice
on the Sabbath, and for some reason whieb I do not remember, if I oyer
knew it, be attended at tbe yillage ohurob, and not at the Oollege chapel,
which was somewhat nearer to his residence. He used to walk up the aisle
with great deliberation, partly, I suppose, on account of bis adyanced age and
consequent feebleness, and partly, perhaps, from tbe solemn and reyerent
associations pertainbg to the place, ffis fMM, though ooyered with the
marks of decay, still reyealed something of what it had been ; and some-
times, under an exmting influence, there would seem to come for^b, as if
from a dumber, tbat beautiful and liying radiance which had illuminated
bis features, and made him irresistibly attiactiye, in his better days. He
wore a black cap, wheneyer be eame to churc^ whiob rendered his appear-
ance still more yenerable. He always seemed to listen to the sermon witb
the utmost attention, but I neyer beard any thing to indioate that be was
a captious bearer — though one of my friends told me that, as he was pass-
ing out of the church witb him, alter they had been hearing a sermon
rendered somewhat misty by metaphysios, tiie Doctor turned round, and
pointing to some coloured people who bad been sitting in the gallery, said, —
" I thiaA[ that sermon must bays been refreshing to those negroes." Though
be had not then preached for seyeral years, most of the people whom I met
bad been accustomed to bear him : and the uniform testimony was that he
was surpassingly eloquent — some, I remember, who were capable of form-
ing an intelligent judgment in such matters, and who neyer spoke at random,
did not hesitate to say that, as &r as thdr knowledge extended, bis elo-
quence, in his best days, bad no paralleL
Though I neyer bad any intimacy with Dr. Smith, I was ocoasionally
a yisiter at his housd, and always felt it a priyilege to be in his company,
eyen when bo said the least; for there iras an ur of majesty about him,
•part eyen firom his being an interesting relic of the olden time, to which
no one could be indifferent. I remember finding him once or twice busy in
correcting his manuscript sermons, which be intended should be published,
dtber . bdbre or sfter bis death ; and the appearance of tbe manuscript
indicated tbat be bad, at least, not outliyed the ability to cri^cise bis own
writings. But the occasion tbat loosened his tongue", and quickcMd his
intellect, more than any other upon which I eyer bi4>pened to see him, was
a yisit that Dr. Kirkland, President of Haryard Oollege, paid to hiia, I
tiiink in tbe winter of 1817-^lJB. Dr. Kirkland was in one of his happiest
moods, snd Dr. Smith was delighted to see him ; and it was really no small
priyil^e to obserye bow the actual President, then in his fnll Vigour, by.
bis bright and pithy remarks, worked n the old Bx-President into
SAMUEL STAKHOPE SUTH. 841
tlung like wbtt he miut have been in the daje of his greatest glory. All
hiB other manifestationfl, that ever fell under my observation, were tame, in
eomparison with what I witnessed that morning. Onoe I recolleot his
speiJdng to me with some degree of warmth on what he oonsidered the
degradation of the pnlpilAy metaphysical preaching ; and, in the same con-
neotioni he spoke of Bnokminster's Sermons as being generally unezoepr
tionable in point of religions doctrine, and as being, in a literary point of
view, among the most splendid productions that he had met with. I might
have told him that the admiration was reciprocal, for I well remember
Bnokminster's giving me Dr. Smith's Baccalaureate, on the Love of Praise,
delivered in 1810, and speaking of it in no measured terms of approbation.
The following is a list of Dr. Smith's publications: —
YOLITMXS.
An Essay on the causes of the variety of complexion and figure of the
human species ; to which are added Strictures on Lord Kaims' Discourse
on the original diversity of mankind, 8vo., 1787. Sermons, 8vo., 1709.
Lectures on the Evidences of the Christian Religion, 12mo., 1809. Lec-
tures on Moral and Political Philosophy, 12mo., 1812. A Gomprehensive
View of the leading and most important principles of Natural and Revealed
Religion, 8vo., 1816. Sermons, to which is prefixed a brief Memoir of
his Itfe and writings. Two volumes, 8vo. (posUiumous), 1821.
PA1CPHLXT8.
A Funeral Sermon on the death of the Hon. Richard Stockton, 1781. A
Sermon on Slander, preached in Brattle Street Church, Boston, 1790. A
Discourse on the Nature and Danger of Small Faults, deUvored in the Old
South Church, Boston, 1790. Oratio InauguraUs, 1794. A Discourse on
the nature and reasonableness of Fasting, and on the existing causes that
oall us to that duty, 1795. The Divine goodness to the United States of
America: a Discourse delivered on a day of general Thanksgiving and
Prayer, 1795. A Discourse delivered on the death of the Rev. Gilbert
Tennent Snowden,* 1797. An Oration upon the death of General George
Washington, 1800. A Discourse on the nature, the proper subjects, and
the benefits of Baptism, with a brief Appendix on the mode of administering
the ordinance, 1808. The Resurrection of the body : A Discourse delivered
in the Presbyterian Church in Georgetown, 1809. On the Love of Praise :
A Sermon delivered the Sunday preceding Commencement, 1810.
• OxLBBBT TairirBirT SvowDur wu the ion of Ihum Snowden, who wm m eldnr in the Seooad
1797. He had two hrothen who were alto miniften of the Goepel. Samiui PinUy Snowd^n
WM bom U Philadelphia, KoTomber 6, 1767: wai gradaaled at Prinoeton in 178S{ itndled
Theologj nnder Doolon Withenpoon and Bmith} waa Ifoenied to preaeh hj the Preehytery of
New Bninffwiok, April 34» 17M ; wai ordained to the work of the mhiiftnr, and imtaUed Pai tor
of the Churah in Prinoeton, on the S5th of Norember foUowing; redgned hii paatoral ehaive on
aeoovnt of ill health, April 39, ISOl; wai aflerwanb aetUed fneee«l?elT alWhiteeboroQgh,
New Hartford, and Saeketf i Haxhoor, in the State of New Tork ; and died, witbont a momenVf
warnings at the laat mentioned plaoe, in Mar, 1S45, at the age of aoTon^jr-eight. Neikamsl
Jtamfo^aAioiMlM, the other brother, waa bom in Phnadelpblai was gradnSed at Prinoeton
in 1787 1 beeame Paator of the Coogregationa of Harriibaigh, Paxtoo, and Deny, ita Pennijl-
T»nia» in 1798; reeigned hia ehaige after aboat three reavii afterwardanipplied the Mona|riiaa,
and Petenbwg, and Tariovs other, Oonmgatloni, and died at the retidenoe of hii mi, Dr.'C. 0.
uiy at m^porty Annitnng Oonnty, Pa., NoTemberS, 1860, la the el^ty-flnt year of
hia age.
842 ' PBSSBTTSBIANv
VBOM THE BEY. FHILIP LIirDSLET, D. D
naiiD»nr ov thb vnrmMssrt ov vjlbhtilu.
V^pHLLa, Febriuuy 2, 1848.
My detf Sir: Tou request me to oommunicate mjOipressioiis of the character
of the late President Smith. I suppose you do not expect me to write aA obituary
notice or hiographioal sketch of this eminent person, nor yet a review of his sever^
pablications. What yon ask fbr, if I mistake not, is my own indiTidual estimate
of the man, as spontaneously formed during the period of my personal inter-
course with him. This, too, notwithstanding the elaborate '^ Memoir of his Life
and Writings" prefixed to an edition of his posthumous Sermons, which appeared
in 1821, and which has probably left little or nothing to be told. Bather, there-
fore, in compliance with the wishes of a friend, than with a hope of Ituniahing
any additional matter of interest or moment, I am willing to make the attempt
to reyife and record some desultory reminiscences of my Tonerated instructor.
When I first became acquainted with Dr. Smith, he had already attained the
summit of his weU earned celebrity. Throughout the Middle and Southern
States, he was regarded as the most eloquent and learned divine among his con«
temporari^. His reputation as a popular preacher had been long before estab-
lished in Virginia, where Samiul jDooies was stUl remembered by multitudes of
his hearers, and while Patrick Henry was yet in the zenith of his brilliant career.
There too he had founded a fiourishing College; and to his sole agency and
infiuence Hampden Sidney owed its origin and early prosperity. In the midst
of his suooessftd labours, as its Prindpal, and as the Pastor of a Church in its
vicinity, he had been invited by his jtJma Matw to return to the scene of his
youthfiil studies, and his first essays as a Tutor. He had accepted the invitation,
and for years, first as Professor, and afterwards as President, had contributed
to elevate the Col^ge to a position of the highest usefulness and respectability.
It was In these auspicious circumstances,— just after the desolations occasioned
by the fire in 1802 had been repaired,— that I began to attend his instructions, and
to know him as the President. The opinion of college lads about men and institu-
tions may be of little value in the great world; and yet it is oftentimos but the
echo of the public voice, or a somewhat exaggerated expression of the popular
Judgment. They are apt to think and speak of their teachers as they hear others
speak of them. From our childhood, we (the students) had never heard the
Doctor's name pronounced but with praise. We came to the College, therefore,
prepared to look up to him as the great man of the age. ffis superior talents
and accomplishments, as a preacher, scholar, philosopher, and writer, were every
where spoken of and acknowledged. And we never doubted that he possessed
all the attributes and graces which could dignity and adorn the high station
which he filled. Such were our prepossessions in his fiivour at the outset.
And there was no subsequent reaction. He daily grew in our esteem. We
thought not only that he was equal to every emergency, but that no other man
could have succeeded so well. He seemed always to say and to do 9Yery thing
in the happiest manner. In his various college p^ormances, in the chapel, and in
the recitation room, however brief and unpremeditated, or by whatever occasion
suggested,— ^as well as in the more ornate and studied exercises of the pulpit,— he
satisfied every expectation.. It seemed natural for him *' to put proper words in
proper places," and to select the most expressive. There was no affectation, or
mannerism, or artifice, or formality, about him. He was simple and unostenta-
tious, and apparently regardless or forgetfhl of himself. We admired lus per-
sonal appearance and deportment. And we always listened to his speech with
pleasure, if not with profits We never questwned his sineaity and nprightnesa;
We revered him as a fkithfbl Christian minister^— Aw above reproach or sus-
fdeion.
SAMUEL STAKHOPE SMITH. §45
Ho Wft8 less obnozkras, probably thaii most other men in the like oflSce, to the
witticism, and lidieole, and awaggerj, of the disorderly and misohievons pdrtion
of the students. That these should not have been always particularly gratified
with his discipline, might be presumed. But I never witnessed any attempt to
ezdte a laugh at his expense, or to play off a trick upon him in any fitfhion, or
to exhibit him in a ludicrous attitude, or to caricature any of his remarks or
actions. He never beUttyed any foibles, or defects, or peculiarities, which could
serve the purpose either of fun or abuse. He was the well-bred, courteous gentle-
man, every where, at all times, in all companies, on all occasions. The dignity
of lus bearing, though not repulsive or oppressive, was uniform and imposing.
His very presence would robuke, overawe, and silence the most turbulent assem-
blage of youth that ever met for sport or riot,— during my time at least.
Instead of reading his written Lectures on Moral Philosophy, and the Evi-
dences of Christianity, they wero previously placed in the hands of the students,
and carefully studied in manuscript as text books. Each member of the Senior
class possessed a copy, — ^transcribed by himself or some person whom he
employed to do it, or purchased from a predecessor. Questions were asked upon
the subject matter of the Lecturo,r-accompanied or followed by pertinent illus-
trations and explanations. I have already said enough to show how we appre-
ciated these fiuniliar instructions.
Of the government of the OoUege, at this period of its greatest prosperity,
under President Smith, I can hardly use language too &vourable. It was main-
tained in rigid accordance with the spirit and letter of the printed code of laws,
which every student, at his matriculation, promised to obey. I do not mean
that thero occurred no violaUons of law, or that every transgressor was duly
punished. Such per&ction has never been attained in any school or community,
or under any system of government or administration. It is enough to say that
wo all ftilly believed that if we neglected our duties, or committed any offence,
we should certainly be dealt with according tq our deserts; and that all reasonr
able vigilance was exerted, both to provent and detect every species of delin-
quency or disorder. We rq^rded the Doctor as a firm, resolute, ibarless,
decided man,— who would not wink at crime or folly, — but who, nevertheless,
cherished towards us the most kindly and paternal feelings. My present
deliberate opinion is, that he was one of the ablest and most successfbl disci-
plinarians of any age. I speak of him as he was in his best days; and these
alone ought to testiQr as to his capacity and conduct.
Sometime after graduation, I rotumed to Princeton, when, as a Tutor in the
College and student of Theology, (from 1807 to 1810,) I became more intimately
acquainted with Dr. Smith: and again, from his resignation in 1812 to his
decease in 1819, my intercourse with him continued without* interruption.
Dr. Smith officiated as Professor of Theology, during the whole period of his
Presidency, with the exception of two or three years, (from 1803 to 1806,) when
that chair was occupied by the Rev. Henry KoUock, D. D. The ** Divinity
dass " consisted, in my time, of some eight or ten young men, including the
College Tutors, — ^to whose instruction he devoted two evenings of the week. He
generally read a portion of his Lectures or notes as he called them; and then
dilated upon the topics, in a free colloquial style, and always much to our edifi-
cation. He directed our course of reading, heard our essays, and suggested sub-
jects for investigation, dissertation, or oral disputation. The course included
systematic Theology, ecclesiastical history and polity, pastoral duties, the Bible,
and a large range in the fields of classic and general literature. He also
attended and presided over an association, composed of the above and other
resident graduates, who used to meet once a week for mutual improvement.
This was a kind of phUosoidliieal as well as debating society* Here too, the
learned President, in exhibiting the pro and eon of controversy, in disentangling
344 FBBSBTTSBIAK.
a knotty quflstaon, in diatingnmhing the retl and pnMStioal firom the dondj and
inoompr«henaible, in azpoaing error and aopidatry, in aoataining truth apd
sound logioy or in *' summing np/'— was the "great master/'— Hwd the liberal
umpire in all our wordy battles.
It will be seen from what has been said, that he must have been a working
man. The stated preacher and pastor, the Inde&tigable teacher, (of sdenoes,
too, usually distributed among sereral Professors,) the author of his own text
books and of not a few others, the responsible Head and GoTomor of a College,
which he had twice re-edified, the regiUar attendant and a most efficient membier
of the judicatories of the Church which he loved, — and more frequently invited
or constrained to the performance of special and honourable services than any of
his contemporaries,— verily he could seldom have lud aside his " harness,*' or
known the comfort of repose.
Of his published worlcs, though numerous and divernfled, I shall take no fhr-
ther ^otice than to add the remark that few men, in any situation, have written
so much and so well. These, however, do not &irly portray the man. Of thehr
literary merit the critical reader will judge for himself. His philosophy and
biblical exegesis, m some particulars, may be questioned or disallowed; but all
will concede to him candour, honesty, habitual reverence fiur truth and righteous-
ness, and great ability in the exposition and defence of his theories.
He was a diligent, persevering student through life. He knew how to employ
usefiilly every leisure moment with pen or book. He was conversant with the
literature, science, philosophy, and politics, of andent and modem times. He
was a classical w^olar in the highest and best acceptation of the phrase. He
was master, not merely of the mechanism and grammar of the Qreek and Latin
languages, but was deeply imbued with the sj^t of the great authors. His
deUcate and cultivated taste enabled him to discriminate and to relish the finest
and most exquisitely wrought passages, as weli as the more obvious beauties and
sublimities, of the poet and the orator. He wrote and conversed in Latin with
great fecility and was a first rate prosodist. In these accomplishments I have
rarely met his equal.
He was not a recluse. His varied duties, public and professional, required
him to be much abroad in the world, and to ming^ with all sorts and classes of
people. His house was frequented by the good, the great, the wise, the inteUi-
ipent; and humble merit was always welcome at his board and fircmde.
He was not ambitious, except in the apostolic sense. Instead of any leaning
to covetousness, the tendency of his benevolent nature was rather to the opposite
extreme.
He was free fi^m envy, and Jealousy, and resentment. Of these I oould never
detect in him the slightest indication. He had enemies, and he knew them. Ho
SFas often misrepresented, and sometimes grossly slandered. But he uttered no
words of complaint, or anger, or unkindness. I believe he forgave them and
prayed f«r them. He was an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile. He ap-
|wared incapable of deception, or intrigue, or craAy management, fer any purpose.
He was no bigot or dogmatist. He cheerfully conceded to others the same
liberty, with all the rights of conscience and judgment, which he claimed fer
himself. He coold defend his own creed or opinions without arrogance or bitter-
ness. He could demolish error or heresy, without abusing or denouncing men,
or sects, or parties.
In the General Assembly, Synod, and Presbytery, of his Church, he was con-
fessedly jfTtsMie ifUer parff-^t at least second to none, — if report and tradition
may be oedited. But as my observation did not extend to these, I shall attempt
no description.
There was a wide difference in the character of his eloquence, between his early
and later years. I happened, whOe on a vbit to Yiiginia in 1810, to meet with
SAICUBL STAKHOPS SMIXH. ^^
seTertl elderly persons who had heard him preach, when a yomig man. Thejr
spoke of him as an impassioned orator,— like Whitefleld or their own Danes
and Henry. They spoke, too, of his patriotic speeches at the beginning of the
Revolution, and of their marrellons effect upon the people. Now I never wit-
nessed any thing of this sort. He had long before my day been disabled for
SQch efforts. In the pnlpit, when I heard him, he was comparatively calm and
subdued in manner, — though the most dignified, graceful and impressive of
preachers.
At the age of sixty-two, he was compelled, by ill health, to relinquish all
public employments. During the remaining seven years he lived in retirement*
This was perhaps the most beautiful and instructive period of his life. It often
looms up before me like a bright, blessed, glorious vision,— such as we dream
of, but never realize. It seemed as though all the Christian graces and virtues,
freed from every human imperfection, had now clustered around him, and
blended together, like the colours of the rainbow, into a living form of chastened,
hallowed, radiant loveliness.
His person, presence, and carriage were so remarkable, tiiat he never entered
the village church or college chapel, or walked the streets, or appeared in any
company, without arresting attention, or creating a sensation, not of surprise
or wonder, but of pleasing, gratefiil admiration, — a kind of involuntary emo-
tion and homage of the heart,— a tribute as cordially yielded as it was richly
deserved.
In a word, the venerable figure, the saintly aspect, the benignant smile, the
ethereal spirit, the tranquil resignation, the humble fkith, the cheerfhl temper,
the habitual meekness, tiie generous sympathy, the comprehensive charity, the
modest unpretending gentleness of his whole manner, — all proclaimed the
mature and gifted Christian, ready to depart, and calmly expecting his final
translation to a more congenial world.
To the last, this good man continued accessible and attractive to all; and he
well knew how to engage in pleasant an^ profitable conversation persons of
every variety of age, rank, and condition. Always the Christian gentleman, it
was impossible for him to make an approach towards levity or coarseness, in
word or act. I never heard from his lips an anecdote or allusion, a hint or
expression, which might not have been whispered in seraphs' ears. This innate
purity or acquired sense of propriety, I think, was peculiar and characteristic.
It certainly is not always prominent even among divines.
He took great interest in the youthftil candidates for the ministry. He
delighted much in their society. His little parlour was often filled with them.
And then, what words of wisdom, of kindness, of encouragement, of counsel, —
and the prayer ! — ^for he always concluded these meetings with prayer. The
prayer of the dying patriarch,— of the ascending prophet!— for such to us he
seemed. Thus blandly and peacefully passed away the latter years of the vete-
ran invalid soldier of the cross,— doing what he could, — still, as ever, fkithful
to his vows, and sealous in his Master's service.
If he had fiiults, I saw them not; or if I did, I have long since forgotten
them. Such are my recollections of Dr. Smith.
Very respectfiilly and truly yours,
PHILIP LIKDSLET.
Vol. m.
346 FBISBTTBBIAV.
SAMUEL EUSEBIUS McCORKLE, D. D *
1774_1811.
SAMinBL BusxBius MoCoBKLx WAS born on the 28d of Avgost, 1746,
near Harriis' Ferry, in Lancaster Gonnty, Pa. There he passed his earliest
years; bat when he was abont nine, his parents, who were respectable and
pious people, though in moderate worldly ciroomstanoes, removed with their
family to North Garolina, and settled, some fifteen miles West of Salis-
bury, on lands which then belonged to the Earl of Oranyille. In this region
he spent the rest of his life.
As his &ther had settled, with a pretty large family, in a part of the
country where there was hardly a foot of land to cultivate, until the heavy
growth of Umber which covered it was removed, nor a shelter for man or
beast, until it was erected, Samuel, with several brothers, most of whom
were younger than himself, assisted his father in building the necessary ten-
ements, and clearing and cultivating the farm. Samuel was also the
instruoter of the younger children of the &mily, and in a few years was
employed as teacher of a public English school. At the age of about twenty,
he commenced his olassiosl studies. He was one of the first pupils in the
school established by Dr. Caldwell, in Guilford County, in 1766 or 1767;
and tins was probably the be^pnning of his preparatory course.
He was graduated at the College of New Jersey, in the year 1772, in
the same class with the Bev. Dr. McMillan of Western Pennsylvania, and
Aaron Burr. He had made a profession of religion before entering Col-
lege; but while there, he became satisfied, during a revival of religion, that
his previous experience had been spurious, and then, as he believed, for the
first time, really complied with the terms of the GU>spel. He commenced
the study of Theology,, soon after he was graduated, under his maternal
undo, the Bev. Joseph Montgomery.! In the spring of 1774, he was
licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of New York, and imme-
^tely after was appointed by the Synod to go Southward, and spend at
least one year labouring in that region, under the direction of the Presby-
teries of Hanover and Orange. After thus spending about two years in
Yiiginia, during which time he seems to have become a member of the Han-
over Presbytery, he accepted a call from the Congregation of Thyatira, in
which his parents resided, and in which ho had spent most of his early
years. The Orange Presbytery, at a meeting in October, 1776, received
him from the Presbytery of Hanover, and made arrangements for his ordi-
nation and installation in a fortnight from that time ; though, owing to some
unexpected occurrence, this arrangement did not take effect at the time spe-
cified, but was deferred until the 2d of August, 1777.
• MS. horn lUr. Dr. Ounthtn.— Foote'i Bketohw of N. 0.
t JoiBPB MoHTOOMBBT wMjEndoftted M the OoUege of New Joimj In ITMt wu Ikennd
to pnMh by the PraibHoiy of PhUiidelpiiSiu botweoi the noetliigiof STiiod in 1759 and 1700|
wu ordafaMd by the Pntlrftoiy of lAwm, botwMn the niMtinn of 8md in 1761 and 176S|
and beoMne Putor of the Congngntiona of NowMiOe and OhmUana Bridfo, Do. TIm Pna-
tTtmy of Namaaao loportad to tho Sjnod, in 17S5, "that, in ooniw|n«noe of Mr. Joiopli
ikntgomory'i having informod thorn that, thronfl^ bodily indlipoilllon, ho wai inoapablo of
oflHolating in tho miniftiy^ and having alao aooopM an oOoo nndor tho d?U anthovinr. thoy
liaToloflhiinainoontof thoir Boeordk** His name i^poan on tho lirt of nanbon of Con-
giOM ftom PennqrlTaniay ftom 1784 to 1788.
SAHIJEL SnSEBnrS MoGOBSXB. 947
On ibe 2dof July, 1776, he was married to Hargarei, daughter of Wil-
liam and Eliiabeth Steele, of Saliabnry, N. 0., — a ladj of ezoelleht oha-
raoter and highly reapeotable oonnections.
Daring the Beyolntionary war, and eepemally from the snmmer of 1780,
when the Sonth became the theatre of confliot, the oonntry was in a state
of utter confasion, and yice of almost every kind prevailed to an alarming
extent. The civil oharacter of the war, too, gave it a peonliar ferocity,
and produced a licentiousness of morals, of which there is scarcely a paral-
lel at the present c|&7* ^he municipal laws of the country could not be
enforced, ciyU government was prostrated for a time, and society was vir-
tually resolved into its original elements. Hr. McOorklo came out in refer-
ence to this state of things in his utmost strength. He preached, prayed,
reasoned, and remonstrated — ^nor were his labours in vain. From the close
of the Bevolutionary war, and especially from the breaking out of the Rev-
olution in France, — ^North CaroUna, in common with other parts of the
oountty, was overrun with French infidelity. Here again, he stood forth
the indomitable champion of Christianity : he not only preached but pub-
lished in defence of Divine Revelation; and infidelity quailed before him.
It has been confidently asserted that more was done, in that part of the
country, by his efforts, to arrest this tide of evU, which threatened at one
time to sweep every thing before it, than by any or all other opposing
influences.
About the year 1786, Mr. McGorkle commenced, in his own house, a
classical school, to which he gave the name of ZionrPamassus ; but he
discontinued it after ten or twelve years. He was a thorough scholar, and
kept up his acquaintance, not only with the Latin and Greek Classics, but
with Mathematics, Philosophy, and every important branch of learning.
His salary being small, and not punctually paid, a school or some other
source of income seemed necessary to the comfortable support of hu family.
But the drudgery of teaching, and the consumption of time and strength in
the constant routine of mere preparatory studies, were foreign from the
cast of his mind, and incompatible with not only his fondness for theologi-
cal investigation, but his sense of obligation as a Christian minister.
In the year 1792, Mr. McCorkle was honoured with the degree of Doctor
of Divinity from Dickinson College, Carlisle.
. In the far famed revival, that existed at the South and West, about the
beginning of the present century, in which bodily agitations were so strangely
mingled with spiritual exercises, Dr. McCorkle, for a while, bore an active
part. At its commencement, and for some time after, he had no doubt of
its genuineness, and he laboured with much seal for its promotion; but as
extravagances began to develop themselves, he felt himself bound to oppose
them, and to do what he could to save the churches throughout the region
from a fiinatical spirit. His efforts in this way were in a good degree suc-
cessful.
Within a few years after the commencement of the revival, his health
fiuled, and it was evident that he was approaching the end of his course.
By several successive and severe attacks of fever, and other complaints, he
was nearly disabled for public serrice ; and though he lingered for some
time, it was in a state of great infirmity and suffering. But he was fuUy
sustained by those great Christian truths which it had been the business of
his life to ^pense to others. He wrote, with Jiia own hand, very mbute
348 PSBSBTTBBIAV.
direotioiiB re^peoting his ftmenJ, desigiiatiiig tbe miiuBtor Whom be wiahed
to preaoh hb Ftinenl SenQon, tlie text whioh lie desired him to iue» (Job
six. 26,) the order of the fdneral prooesnon, and the hymiifl to he eiiDg on
the oceasion ; and he even wrote the epitaph for his own tomb-stone. He
died on the 2l8t of Jaooaiy, 1811. His widow died not £ur from the year
1821. He had six children — five sons and one daughter, all of whom sor-
yived him.
The following is a list of his publications : —
•A Sermon on Saorifioes, 1792. A Charity Sermon, delivered on several
oooasions, 1798. A National Thanksgivbg Sermon, entitled '* The com-
parative happiness and duty of the United States of America, contrasted
with other nations, particularly the Israelites," 1796. A Sermon preached
at the laying of the comer-stone of the University of North Carolina. Four
Disconrses on the great first principles of Deism and Revelation contrasted,
1797. Three Discourses on the terms of Christian Communion. A National
Fast Sermon entitled ** The work of God for the French Bepublic ; and
then her reformation or ruin ; or the novel and useful experiment of national
Deism, to us and all mankmd." A Sermon entitled '* The Angel's seal, set
upon (}od's faithful servants, when hurtful winds are blowing in the Church
miUtant."
FBOM THE REV. E. W. OARUTHEBS, D. D.
GuanBOBo', K. 0., June 28, 1860.
My dear Sir: I was bom within the limits of Dr. McOorkle's Congregation,
was baptised by him in my infkncy, and spent several of my early years under
his pastoral care. And, although he died when I was young, I have neither for-
gotten his appearance, nor ceased to admire his character. His tall and manly
form, his grave and solemn countenance, his impressive and thrilling tones, are
still distinct in my recollection. I speak of him, not when he was in his fiill
vigour, but during the last three or four years of his life, when he was often so
afflicted that he could not preach regularly; but his afflictions, and the convic-
tion which he had of his approaching dissolution, may have increased the solem-
nity of his manner and style of preaching. Though cheerihl and pleasant in the
social cirde, or at the &mily fireside, he never indulged in levity, or seemed to
forget for a moment that he was a minister of Jesus Christ. From looking over
his manuscripts, I Judge that he always wrote his sermons, but he never used
his notes in the pulpit.
In addition to the ordinary duties of preaching, fomily visiting and catechis-
ing, he was in the habit of giving out every year a series of written questions,
and allowing the people two or three months to prepsre their answers. The
elders were located in different parts of the congregation, and each one had his
portion of the vineyard assigned him. He had the names of all the fomilies and
indif iduals within certain limits, and over these he was to have a special care,
and at his house the examinations were to be held. The adofts were examined
on the written questions, and the children and youth were heard on the Gate*
chisms. Shorter and Larger. Such occasions were a means of great improve-
ment, and often of serious and lasting impressions on the minds of the peqile.
I recollect being at one of these examinations, and also at one or two of his pas-
toral visits to my &ther*s fomily . Tbongh I was a mere child, I received impres-
sions that have never been effaced; and I was made to feel, even then, the highest
respect for the man. It has been remarked, and I believe Justly, that the people
of his charge were more thoroughly acquainted with the truths of Ghristianifyf
than those of almost any other congregation in that part of the country.
SAMUEL EUSEBIUS MoGOBEXE. 349
Dr. MeOorkle wai not made to be a missionary, eren if he had lived at the
present day, when the missionary spirit preyails so mnbh more eztensively than
it did then. He was always ready to preach in destitute churches or regions, by
direction of Presbytery, and often on his own appointment; but his delight was
in his study, and thence emanated chiefly his usefulness. A minister's library
is in general a good index to the cast of his miud and to his habits of study. If,
on entering the study of a minister, with a small salary, and a laige family to
support, in this back country too, and in that period of its history when books
were yery ezpeusive, and the difficulty of getting books from foreign countries
was almost insurmountable, — ^you should flud the shelves stocked with such
authors in Theology, as Calvin, Turretin, Stackbouse, Stillmgfleet, and Owen ; —
inOhurch History, as Hooker, Shuckford, Prideaux, and Mosheim (in Latin); —
on Law and Civil government, as Puflfendorff, Burlemaqui, Montesquieu, and
Blackstone; besides the Universal History, Encyclopedia Brittanica, &c., it
might be &irly inferred that he wad a man who looked below the surfiM» of
things. Such was his library, and it was a good index to his mind and habits.
He would not give a trifling book, — a mere novel or romance, a place on his
shelves; but a work of real value that he wanted, he would spare no paius to
procure. He rarely bought a work on experimental religion, if it were the pro-
duction of a second or third rate man; but he delighted much in the practical
works of such men as Owen, Edwards, and Doddridge.
As an evidence of the intensity with which he applied his mind to the inves-
tigation of truth, and especially to biblical research, it may be stated that not
even the ordinary cares and interests of life were allowed to interfere with these
favourite pursuits. If he had food and raiment, he seemed to be perfectly con-
tented; and even the provision for that he left very much to others. His land
was naturally fertile, and, with even tolerable culture, would have yielded an
abundant supply for his family. He had also a number of servants, — ^the patri-
mony of his wife, — who, with moderate industry and good management, might
have produced a surplus from his farm for market; but they were indolent and
thievish, and he was indulgent to a fault. For several years, he employed over-
seers; but whether he was unfortunate in obtaining suitable persons for chat
business, or whether they could not make the negroes work, without such coer-
cive measures as he would not sanction, does not now appear. The consequence,
however, was, that almost every year there was a deficit; and he was obliged to
buy at least a portion of his provisions. Under the pressure of necessity, he
thought something must be done, and he concluded, in the spring, when the sea-
son for planting came, that, by taking a proper position on one side of the field,
he could keep the servants at work, and attend to his studies, at the same time.
The negroes, after ploughing across the field a few times until they found him so
engaged that iie did not notice them, stopped at the remote side of the field, and
leaving their horses to graze, lay down and went to sleep. A neighbour, coming
along, was surprised to find the negroes in such a predicament; but, at the other
side of the field, on his way to the house, he found the Doctor in a comer of the
fence, poring over a large volume, with several other folios, paper, inkstand, &c.,
by his side, — ^perfectly unmindful of his servants, and greatly surprised at being
told that they were fkst asleep at the other end of the row. That was the first
and the last of his overseeing.
Dr. McOorkle had, on the whole, a very suocessfiil ministry. Many were hbpe-
fnlly converted through his instrumentality; and the general character of his
congregation for intelligence and piety is a ikr better enlogium than any I oould
write, and a more enduring monument to his praise than the marble which coven
his remabs. With best wishes, I remain,
Your friend and servant,-
E. W. CABUTHEBS.
850 PBISBTTBBIAV.
JOHN McMillan, d. d.
1774—1888.
FBOM THB BEY. JAMES GABKAHAN, D.D., LL.D.
Peivosxov, KoTBmber 16, 1847.
Rev. and dear Sir : In reply to your letter req^nesting me to give yon
acme aecount of the oharaoter and ministry of the late Bey. John MoMiic
LAH, D. D., I am happy to inform you that, a few years before the death
of that remarkable man, — ^wishing, to know something of his early life, and
the progress of religion in Western Pennsylvania, as identified with Us
labours, I requested him to furnish me with a statement on these subjeets.
To my request he replied in the aooompanying letter, whioh is at your ser-
vioe. You will see that this letter contains a fuller and more oorreot account
of the introduction and establishment of Presbyterianism, and I may add
of Ohristianity, in Western Pennsylvania, than can be found elsewhere.
Presbyterians were the pioneers of that country. Within my reooUeotion,
there was hardly a oongregation of any other denomination of Christians to
be found West of the mountains. The letter I r^rd as a premous relio,
not only on account of the facts which it contains, but as a remarkable
specimen of penmanship. It was written when he was eighty years old, on
three sides of half a sheet of small foolscap paper, and yet every word is
legible, and nearly every letter complete.
DB. HoULLAN'S LETTBB.
Okasxirs, Much 26, 1882.
Bit. Db. Oabnahan — ^Dear Sir: I received your friendly letter, and
wiU endeavour to comply with your request.
I was bom in Fagg's Manor, Chester County, Pa., November 11, 1762.
I was first sent to a grammar school, kept by the Bev. John Blair, where I
continued until he was removed to Prinoeton to superintend the College
there. I was then sent to Pequea, to a grammar school kept by the Bev.
Bobert Smith. While there, the Lord poured out his Spirit upon the
students, and I believe there were but few who were not brought under
serious concern about their immortal souls ; some of whom became blessmgs
in their day, and were eminently useful in the Church of Christ ; but they
are all now gone to rest. It was here that I received iny first religious
impressions ; though, as long as I can remember^ I bad at times some
checks of oonscienoe, and some alarms about the state of my doul: but
these seasons were, of short oontinuance ; — like the early cloud and. the
morning dew, they quicldy passed away. I never eaw thi^ I was a lost,
undone sinner, exposed to the wrath of a justly offended God, and oouU 4o
nQthinig for mj own reli^ , My convictions were not attended: with much
horror : , though I felt jt|iat I deserved, hell, and that in* all ^probaUMty ^ttet
mimt:be my pQrtiQnr jfit,{ ^giild not feel.tiiat distress .whiehi£.mi|^ictoArt;
and whichil thought X mnatfed^ before I could eaqpeotfto^obtatnireliefr^'^I
felt also much legality, mmglei .with all., the duties wBoh I att^nittM iif»
perform. In this '8ituation>I continued imtil I entered College at Piince-
tpn,in the spriitg. of 1770. I had not been long there, until a revival of
JOHN MoULLAK. 351
relij^ took place among tbe stadentB, and I beliere, at one time, there
were not more than two or three but what were under seriooa impressionB.
On a day whioh had been set apart by a number of the atndente, to be
observed as a day of fasting and prayer, — ^while the others were at dinner,
I retired into my study, and while trying to pray, I got some diseoveries of
Divine things, whioh I had never had before. I saw that the IKvine law
was not only holy, jost and spiritual, but that it was good ako, and that
conformity to it would make me happy. I felt no dispoBition to quarrel
with the law, but with myself, because I was not conformed to it. I felt
that it was now easy to submit to the Gospel plan of salvation, and felt a
serenity of mind to whioh I had hitherto been a stranger. And it was fol-
lowed by a delight in contemplating Gh>d*s glorious perfections in all his
works. I thought I could see Ood in every thing around me.
I continued at College until the feXL of 1772, when I returned to Pequea, and
began the study of Theology, under the direction of the Bev. Robert Smith,
D. D. I had great difficulties in my own mind about undertaking the work
of the GkMipel ministry. I at last came to this determination,!-^to leave
the matter wholly with Qod : if He opened the way, I would go on} if He
shut it, I would be satisfied ; and I think, if I ever knew whi^t it was to
have no will of my own about any matter, it was about this. I passed
through my trials in the Presbytery of Newcastie, and was licensed by tiiem
to preach the (Gospel, October 26, 1774, at East Nottingham.
The first winter after being licensed, I spent in itinerating in the vacant
congregations of Newcastie and Donegal Presbyteries. In the summer of
1776, 1 took a tour through the settiements of Virginia, between the North
and South mountains. In July, I crossed the mountains between Staunton
and the head of Tyart's Valley, preached in the various settlements through
which I passed, until I came to Ohartiers, preached on the fourtii Sabbath
of August, and on the Tuesday following, at Pigeon Greek. I then turned
my course eastward, and preached in the different settiements, as I passed
along. In the winter, I again visited Augusta County, in Virgima, crossed
the mountains in January, and preached at Pigeon Creek and Chartiers,
until the latter end of March, 1776, when I returned home; and, at a
meeting of Presbytery, on the 28d of April, accepted a call from the united
Congregations of Chartiers and Pigeon Creek, and was dismissed to join the
Presbytery of Donegal, and on tiie 19th of June, was ordabed at Cham*
beraburg. It being in the time of the Bevolutionary war, and the Indians
bdng very troublesome on the frontiers, I was prevented ft^m removing
my fimiily to my congregations until November, 1778. I, however, visited
ibem as ofken as I could, ordained elders, baptized their childreUi and took
as much care of them as circumstances would permit.
.Wben I came to tiiis country, the cabin in which Iwas tolivewaa^raised,
but there was no roof on U, nor chimney nor floor in it: the people, how*
ever, were very kind, assisted me in preparing my house, and on the 16tbof
December, I moved into it: but we had neither bedstead, i nor 'taUe^-nor
chairs, nor stool, nor bucket. All these things we had to leave behind us:
there being no waggon road at that time over the mountains,, we 'Cou]4 bring
nothing with us bnt what was carried on pack-horses. We plaeed^iwo* boxes
on each other, which terved us for a table, and two kegs served finr^Mtejimd
having committed oiMdtes to God in &mily worships we'Upreadar^beiJNAl
the floor, and slept soundly till morning. The next day, a neighbo«rM>oming
352 FBESBTTKBIAK.
to my assifltanoe, we made a table and a stool, and in a little time liad
every thing oomfortable about na. Sometimes, indeed, we had no bMUl
for weeks together; bnt we had plenty of pampkins, and potatoes, and all
the neoessaries of life ; and as for Inxories, we were not mneh oonoemed
about them. We enjoyed healthy the Gospel and its ordinanoes, and pious
fnends : we were in the place where we belioTod Ood would have us to be, and
we did not doubt but that He would provide for us every thing necessary.
My wife aod I lived comfortably together more than forty-three years ; and
on the 24th of November, 1819, she departed triumphantly to take possession
of her house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens.
When I had determined to come to this oountry, Dr. Smith enjoined it
upon me to look out for some pious young men, and educate them for the
ministry; **for," said he, ''though Bome men of piety and talents may go
to a new country, at first, yet if they are not careful to raise up others, the
country will not be well supplied." Accordingly, I collected a few who
gave evidence of piety, and taught them the Latin and Greek languages,
some of whom became useful, and others eminent, ministers of the Gospel.
I had still a few with me, when the Academy was opened in Oannonsburg,
and finding that I could not teach, and do justice to my congregation, I
immediately gave it up, and sent them there.
The first remarkable season of the outpouring of the Spirit, which we
enjoyed in this congregation, began about the middle of December, 1781.
It made its first appearance among a few who met together for social wor^
ship, on the evening of a Thanksgiving day, which had been appointed by
Oongress. This encouraged us to appoint other meetings for the same pur-
pose on Sabbath evenings ; and the appearances still increasing. Sabbath
night societies were continued with bnt little interruption for nearly two
years. It was then usual to spend the whole night in religious exercises;
nor did the time seem tedious, for the Lord was there, and his work went
pleasantly on. Many were pricked to the heart with deep convictions, and
a goodly number, we hope, became the subjects of renewing grace. At the
first sacramental occasion after the work began, forty-five were added to the
church, many of whom continued bringing forth the fndts of nghteousneis,
and filling important offices in the church, until they were removed to the
world of spirits. This time of refireshing continued, in a greater or less
degree, until the year 1794. Upon every sacramental oocasion; during this
period, numbers were added to die church, who gave comfortable evidence
of having obtained a saving change of heart ; but, as I neglected to keep a
register of their names, I cannot now ascertain their number.
The next remarkable season of tiie outpouring of God's Spirit was in the
year 1796. This, however, was not very extensive j nor of long eotitinuance ;
yet, during this season, about fifty were added to tiie church, most of whom
continued to manifest, by their walk and conversation, that they had ex^
rienoed a real change of heart, and some of them became successfol
preachers of the GkMpel, though there were some lamentable instances bt
apostiscy.
In the spring of the year 1799, the Lord again graciously revived his
work in this cougregation. Many were at once awakened to a serious con-
cern about their immortal souls, and made to inquire the way to 2!ion Irith
their fiMes thitherward, weeping as they went. Of those that were then
awakenedt about sixty joined the churioh, and made a piiblic pro&esiiN^ of
jOBsr jcoimiiiiAK. 353
TtUgmi ThiB vemflJiiu well m that of ^96* wM.oaniad on withoat' maeh
extonudappeftnmoeY: except a solemn attention and eilent weepbg under
the preaching of the word.
; /From thia time nntil the fall of 1802, religion was evidently on the decline ;
for. thongh somewere every year added to the church, yet they were- generally
such' MB: had been brought under aerioua impressions in 1799j and there
were few>or,none newly awakened. Sinners became more bold in sin, and
floods of vanity and .carnality appeared likely to carry all before tiiem.
Bven the. pious themselves became very weak and feeble in the cause of
Christ, and much buried in the world, insomuch that when Ood returned to
build up Zion, it might in truth be said, *' We were as men that dream.*'
Many stood astonished, not knowing what to make of it, and but few wero
prepared to meet the Lord, and bid Him welcome. This work differed from
former revivals only in this, — ^that the body was more generally affected.
It was no unusual thing to see persons so entirely deprived of bodily
strength, that they would fall from their seats and off their feet, *and be as
unable to help themselves as a new bom child. I have seen some lie in
this condition, for hours, who yet said that they could hear every thing that
was spoken, and felt their minds more composed, and more capable of attend-
ing to Divine things, than when their bodies were not thus affected. As&r
as I could observe, the bodHy exeroise never preceded but always followed
upouithe mind's beingdeeply impressed with a sense of some IHvine truth.
Between fifty and sixty joined the church, as the fruits of this revival.
After the dose of the rerival, which began in 1809, — ^though, upon every
siuiramental occasion, some joined the church, — yet nothing very remai^ble
took place until 1828, when G-od again visited this dry and parched congre-
gation with a shower of Divine influences. About sixty joined the church,
as the fruits of this revival ; a number of whom were students in the Col-
lege, and are now preaching the Gospel of Christ to their dying fellow men.
Smce that time, religion has rather been on the decline, though still we are
not left without some tokens of the Divine presence. At every sacramen-
tal occasion, some have come out from the world, and professed to take the
Lord for their portion. ••••##•
.The First Presbytery that met on this side of the mountains, was held
at Mount Pleasant, on the third week of October, 1788. The first Synod
met at Pittsburg, on the last Wednesday of September, 1802. • • •
I am< now in my eightieth year^ and have outlived all the first set of minis-
tera who settled en this side of the mountuns ^ all the second set who were
raised in this country, and several of the third. ■ I yet enjoy pretty good
health, though' sometimes troubled with rheumatic pains. • I am yet able to
preach, .though myiimemory is much fooled, so that I am obliged to make
more: use of. notes. than formerly ;jyetmy«lungs are still good, and. I can
bawl. almost as load ast even . ^- '.■*..,? As I.have given up my ccngrega-
^n, because : I could^nQ longer perform the duties of a pastor, tf my Ufe
andrhealth be 4)ontinued, I.deeign this spring and summer to visit some of
thciold congregations which I helped to collect^ and see. how they da, and
on^e-more.blow the Oospel trumpet among- them^ • John MoHillan.
'i^evPDSCiBdingt letter iiea4j exhaasts the subject oC your inquiry, as it
w•a.w^tt^.^wken»t)t^^Te^leffable5>14:nl»n ha4 aImQSt.yeach0d.(h0 poi of his
0099991 rJSejDp^eiy^ thcsdegvee of Doctor of Diybity from^Jeffeiseli Qol*
Yd. m. 45
364 FRESBTTBBIAir.
loge, in 1807. Daring the Bummer and antamn immediately preceding Iiis
death, he was ooonpied much in viaiting the oharohea, and preachmg in
various placea, and it was ohserved that he preaohed with almost the energy
of middle life. In October, 1888, he attended the meeting of the Synod
at Pittsburg, and preaohed twice during its sessionB ; and afterwards aooom*
panied seyeral of his brethren down the riyer to Wheeling. There he
remained nearly a fortnight, preaching almost every day and evening. On
Tuesday, the 6th of l{ovember, he went to Cannonsbnrg, and stopped at
the house of a friend, in his usual health. In the course of the night fol-
lowing, he was taken seriously ill, and when the Doctor was called ti^e next
uiorniug. Dr. M. made a remark to him, that was understood to imply a
conviction on his part that his disease would have a &tal termination. And
thus it actually resulted. He died, sustained to the last by the consolations
cf the Gospel, on Saturday morning, the 16th of November. His disease
>\as paralysis of the prostrate gland, occasioned, as was supposed, by over-
tasking bis strength in preaching. The day after his death, which was the
Sabbath, his body was conveyed to the Ohartiers Church, attended by a
large concourse, where, after appropriate funeral services, it was laid in its
last resting place.
In his personal appearance and manners, Dr. McMillan was as fiur from
being attractive as you can well imagine. He was nearly or quite six feet
high, when standing erect, — ^which, however, rarely happened, as he usually
walked with his neck and head inclined forward. He was of a stout and
clumsy form, his features coarse, his nose very prominent, and his general
aspect somewhat forbidding.
He had, I think, no great talent at extemporaneous preaching, — at least
in early life. He, therefore, wrote his sermons out in full, and committed
them to memory. As he could put multum in paroo on paper, he had his
sermon of such a siie that he could put it into a small pocket Bible, and
hold it under his thumb, so that very few of his hearers knew, or even sus-
pected, that he had so much as short notes. His voice was strong and
coarse, and he poured his words out in such a torrent, that it often offended
delicate ears. He had but little gesture, seldom moving his hands in the
pulpit. The body of his discourse was generally doctrinal, divided into two
or three heads, — ^the whole an hour long, — ^not five minutes more or less, —
embracing, at different times, the whole system of doctrine taught in our
Oonfession of Faith. In the application of his sermons, which he never
omitted, he made appeals to the hearts and consciences of his, hearers, which
were sometimes appalUng. In describing the wretchedness of the lost,
especially of those who had enjoyed the privileges of the Ghwpel, he was
tremendous. And Gtoi blessed his preaddng in a remarkable manner. He
could not be called a man of genius, or of splendid talents, l^e wrote and
spoke plain English, which the most illiterate could understand, and seldom
introduced metaphysical discussion, either in the pulpit or out of it. I have
often seen him, when preaching to fifteen hundred or two thousand people,
in the open air, under the shade of the native trees, take off his coat and
neckclodi or stock, in the midst of his discoursct and proceed without excit-
ing a smile in one of the audience.
He was an excellent Latin and Greek scholar, and, at a very early period,
opened a school in a small log cabin which he built near his house. When-
ever he found a young man of piety, who appeared to have gifts promising
JOHK KolOLLAN.
356
extensiye nsefalness in tlie Churok, he took him into his &mily, taught him
without charge, and trained him np for the ministry. In this way Patter^
son, Porter, Marques, Hughes, and several other eminently useful ministers,
were trained. After an Academy, through his influence, was established in
Cannonsburg, three miles from his residence, he confined his teaching to
Theology; and this he continued until Theological Seminaries were estab-
Ibhed.
He lived almost entirely on the products of his farm, and in a style of
the utmost simplicity and plainness ; and though he extended a hospitable
welcome to his friends, they generally partook of the accustomed fare, and
never heard an apology from his lips. No man ever valued money less, for
his own use or that of his fiimily, beyond what was necessary to render
them . comfortable. I have reason to believe that, in the latter part of his
life, he gave, for benevolent purposes, more than he received from his con-
gregation ; and he did it so silently, that there were very few to whom it was
known. He was in the habit of famishing indigent young men with the
means of prosecuting their studies for the Gospel ministry, — always as a
loan, — telling them to return it when they were able, so that he might
assist others. He also enlisted the co-operation of others with himself in
this object, long before Education Societies were thought of. From a
person who lived in his fiimily, at the time of the occurrence, I learned the
following interesting fact illustrative of his benevolence. Sometime between
1780 and 1790, there was a scarcity of bread, and great suffering in conse-
quence, in the Western part of Pennsylvania. The scarcity of breadstuffs
was not thought of until April or May ; but, about that time, people began
to go in every direction to purchase grain. When a stranger came to Mr.
McMillan, wishing to buy, he would ask the applicant in a rough way if he
had money to pay for it. On receiving an answer in the affirmative,
he would say, — *'I have no wheat or com for you; you can buy
elsewhere." He disposed of his wheat and com, of which he had sevend
hundred bushels, to such as he knew had no means to buy, on condition
that they would return to him an equal quantity after harvest. To the
vicious and idle his rebukes were often severe, sometimes scathing. To
those in distress either of body or mind, he was kind and tender, beyond
what a stranger would think possible in a man of his appearance.
Dr. McMiUan's influence in preaching the Gospel himself, and in training
others for the same work, it is not easy to estimate. With all his imperfec-
tions, he was just such a man as was suited to the fleld of labour assigned
him. He lived to a good old age, and has left behind him a bright name
on earth, and has gone, I doubt not, to a glorious reward in Heaven.
Yery respectfully and truly yours,
JAMES 0ARNA5AK.
956 nB»Yn8iA9r.
THADDEUS DOD*
17t6— 1798.
Thaddxus Dob, the son of Stephen Bod, was born neir Newark, N. J<
on the 7th of March, (0. 8.) 1740. His father, who was a natWe of Ghul-
fi)id, OoDB., removed from Newark to Mendham in the same State, while
thia son was in his infimoy; and there the son spent his yonthfiil days^
From early childhood he had strong religions impressions, and the private
record of his exercises through a series of years shows that he was the sub*
ject of almost oonstant internal conflicts, until the year 1764, when he
believed that he experienced a dedsive change of character. The next
year he was admitted to the Oommnnion of the Chnroh in Mendham.
At a very early period he began to develop an extraordinary taste and
talisnt for Mathematics, and he was earnestly desirons of obtaining a colle-
giate education ; but the straitened mroumstances of his fiither forbade the
expectation of it, ekoept as it should be accomplished through his own
efforts. By teaehmg school at different times, and studying as he could
And opportunity, he at length succeeded in becoming fitted to enter College,
and in acquiring the means of meeting his expenses there. He jobed the
Sophomore class of ihe College of New Jersey in the spring of 1771, and was
gtaduated in the autumn of 1778, under the Presidency of Dr. Witherspoon.
Soon after leaving College, he went to Newark, N. J., where he was mar-
ked to Phoebe Biddwin, and about the same time enticed on the study of
Theology under the direction of the Bev. Dr. McWhorter. After remain*
iiig there about a year, he removed to Morristown^ where be continued his
studies under the Bev. Timothy Johnes, who had been his first teacher in
Litin. He was licensed to preach by the Nek York Presbytery, in 1776.
In the winter of 1776-77, he was confined by a severe attack of inflam*
mitory rheumatism ; but in the month of March, though still unable to
dress himself without assistanoe, he resolved on making a tour to the West.
After preaching in parts of Virginia and Maryland, he croiBsed the m^mn-
failts, and visited the settlements of George's Creek, Muddy Creek, «nd
Dunlap*s Creek, and' prooeeded thence to Tenmile. As there were, at the
likttift^ place a number of ftmilies, who had removed firom Morris Couniy,
it ii liot improbable that they had invited him to vint them, and that his
JOtinSey was undertake^ with special reference to that purpdjare; ' 'This enkf*
g^fidtf hiid taken place about the year 1778, when there had bkn f<ir B^j'i^'
ral years peace with the Indian tribes $ but, by afiresh ontb'ftiak'itf tlb
spring of 1774, these people were driven btok, tod took refbge in a fnrt
near Monbngahda Biver. The next year, they returned and built a fort, to
which they could resort in time of danger* In the summer season, for
several yean, they were compelled frequently to remain together in the
forts, — ^tiie men going out in armed parties to work on their &rms ; and in
the winter, when the Indians retired to their wigwams and hunting grounds,
they returned to their habitations. Such was the state of things when Mr;
Dod went among them ; and as they were his old friends, and some of them
had been associated with him in the scenes of an interesting revival in New
> Pndb. Mag. XV.-tatth's OU Bed StMM.
TttABSSlim SOD. ^57
J^ney/iir 17M, the ' meeting -miist HaT^'lMen, to f^di'^i^Utiefei;'dtfe iif lid
oommon interest. The frequent inonnioDs of Ae IlidiansBad pni awftop
to immigratioh, «ad prevented the inere«ae of their niimbeM, and eb^se-
qnend; delajedf what they most ardently desired, — ^the establishinent of a
ehnroh, and the administration of its ordinances among them. After
preaching, for sonfe time, in that oomparatively desolate region, he returned
to New Jersey in August^ 1777.
The people at Tenmile, during his sojourn there, expressed a strong desire
that he should take up his residence among them as their minister ; and
though there were not more than ten men within their bounds, who were
professors of religion, and not one man of wealth among them all, they
unanimously agre^ to support him and his family, if he would cast in his lot
with them, and share their simple and huifible mode of liying. Though he
foresaw that his acceptance of their inyitation would subject him to much
self-demal and sacrifice^ yet the interest which he felt in ministering to
his early friends, and in seeing the Gospel planted in that new country,
disposed and ultimately determined him to yield to their wishes ; and accor-
dingly he was ordained by the Presbytery of* New York, stJie titulo, in
October, 1777, with a yiew to finding his home in that then distant part of
the country.
Shortly after this, he left New Jersey, with his family, consisting of a
wife and two children, — and also two of his brothers, with their families, to
carry out his purpose in regard to an ultimate settlement. By the 10th of
November, they had arrived at Patterson's Creek, in Hampshire County,
Ya., where Hr. Dod had made some acquaintance in his former tour. But
hearing, while there, of a then recent formidable attack by the Indians on
the Fort at Wheeling, and of the consequent confusion and terror prevuling
throughout the West, they deemed it imprudent to proceed farther at that
time. Mr. Bod, however, after remaining a few days with his family, left
them, and crossing the mountains alone, proceeded to Tenmile, where ha
preached in the forts, and baptised the children, and after a week returned.
He remained at Patterson's Creek for nearly two years, during which
time he was employed in preaching there, and in the adjacent counties in
Virginia and Maryland, where, it would seem, no churches had yet been organ-
ised. His labours in this field were attended with a manifest blessing, and
when he was about to leave, a vigorous effort was made to retain him, and
a much better support offered him>than he could expect at Tenmile; but he
could not be diverted from his purpose. Accordingly, in September, 1779,
he, with lus wife and child, (for he had buried one child during his sojourn
at Patterson's Creek,) and his two brothers, proceeded on their way, and
crossed the mountains on pack horses, some of which had been sent frdm
Tenmile. One. of his brothers, however, accompanied him only a part' of
the way, and then returned to New Jersey.
On reaching the place of his destination^ he found a dark and forbidding
state of things ; but he entered upon his kbours with g)reat seal and self-
deniaL On the 15th of August, 1781, he organised a church consisting ipf
twenty-five members ; but it was aoinetime befoife the Lord't Supper coidd
be administered, on account of their being exposed to the incursions of the
savages. Mr. Bod was- the seeond minister who settled W^stf of the Honoh-
gahela Biver, (Br. McMillan only having preceded him-,) aiid took a'^osStio)^'
fiurther on the frontier than. any others Tenmile, on' tire South', bordered'
358 FBBSBTTBBIAJr.
on an unbroken wilderness. A line of forts from Pittsbnig to Wheeling proi-
teoted tbe places farther North ; but from Wheeling to Point Pleasant all
was open to the sayage foe. Bat thongh there were freqnent hostile demon-
strations on the part of the Indians, and thongh many fikmilies in the neigh"<
bonrhood fell under the tomahawk and scalping knife, not one of the little
company that emigrated from New Jersey was killed. And what was still
more remarkable, the ministrations of Mr. Dod, in the midst of these perilous
circumstances, and while the people, during part of the time, were shut up
in the fort, were attended by a reyival of religion, as the fruits of which
upwards of forty were admitted to the church. The first administration of
the Lord's Supper was m a bam, in May, 1788 ; and it was an occasion of
great solemnity, and accompanied by unusual tokens of the Divine presence.
The first house of worship was erected in the summer of 1786 ; and though
public worship was held idtemately in two sections of the congregation, no
other was erected till the summer of 1792. There was but one organisation
of church or congregation while Mr. Dod lived.
As he had an exquisite taste for music, and withal was well acquainted
with it as a science, he caused special attention to be given to the perform-
ance of that part of public worship. He used no other than Watts' Psalms
and Hymns from the first. He delivered sermons and addresses designed
to illustrate the importance of sacred music, and the manner in which
it should be performed* And in 1792, he introduced singing without read-
ing the line ; and though it was to some rather an offensive innovaUon, it
seems to have occasioned no serious disturbance.
Mr. Dod was specially attentive to the interests of education, — frequently
visiting schooli, and counselling and encouraging the teachers. He had a
building erected within a few steps of his own dwelling, in which he opened
a classical and mathematical school, in the spring of 1782. This school,
which was the first of its kind in the West, was in operation for about three
years and a half. It was discontinued in the autumn of 1785 ; but for
what reasons, cannot now be definitely ascertained. Messrs. Smith and
McMillan, who were associated with Mr. Dod as pioneers in the ministry,
also sympatldsed with him most fully in the educational enterprise ; and as
tbe result of their consultation and co-operation, an Academy was instituted
at Washington, Pa., for which a charter was granted, September 24, 1787,
with a donation of five thousand acres of land. Mr. Dod was urgency soli-
cited to become the head of this institution, and he finally — ^though not
without great reluctance — consented to serve in that capacity for a single
year. ^Hie institution went into operation on the 1st of April, 1789, with
between twenty and thirty students. In connection with his duties as
Principal, he continued his labours as a minister — ^preaching one-third of
the time at Washington, and dividing the other two-thirds between the two
places at Tenmile.
Mr. Dod's labours, throughout his whole ministry, seem to have been
attended with much more than an ordmary blessing. Besides a regular
increase of his church from year to year, there were several seasons of spe-
cial religious interest, which brought in larger numbers. It was during such
a season that he was called to rest from his labours. In the summer of
1792, a revival commenced among his people, which continued through
the succeeding autumn and winter. Encouraged by this state of things,
Mr. Dod was abundant in his labours, notwithstanding he was then mpiSLj
THABDBUS DOD. 359
wasting under tlie inflnenoe of pnlmonarj ooDsnmption. At tlie fall meeting
of Presbytery, be. bad been appointed to preaoh on tbe first Sabbatb of
April at Gross Creek, wbioh bad been rendered yacant by tbo deatb of tbe
Bey. Josepb Smitb. Tbis appointment bo insisted, contrary to tbe better
judgment of bis friends, on fulfilling ; but it proved to be the last public
seryice tbat be oyer performed. In returning bomo, be was exposed to a
violent storm, wbiob, togetber witb tbo &tigue occasioned by tbo exercise,
efiiBOtnally prostrated bim. His dbease now took on a more decided form,
and be became convinced tbat tbe time of bis departure was at band. For
n brief period, be was subject to distressmg doubts in regard to bis spiritual
state ; but before bis deatb tbe joys of salvation were fully restored to bim.
Ho died on tbe 20tb of May, 1798. A Discourse was preacbed at bis
funeral by tbe Rev. Dr. McMillan, from Rev. xiv. 18.
Tbe following is an extract from an article written by bis son, tbe Bev.
Oepbas Dod, of Amity, Pa., and publisbed in tbe Presbyterian Magazine
for August and September, 1854 : —
'' Mr. Dod in bis early childhood eyinced a love of learning, and it deserves parti-
cular notice that his attention was first turned to a careAil reading of the Holy Scrip-
tures, and seeking a knowledge of the doctrines of religion. At tbe age of about
fifteen or sixteen years, he took to mathematical studies, which he pursued with great
ardour, though without an instrncter, and his attainments were probahly not the less
profound, because made with little assistance. Rev. Dr. Gamahan. in a letter dated
July, 1841, wrote— 'The followhig anecdote will show the estimation in which your
fkther's mathematical talents and attainments were held by his contemporaries in the
College. Before the death of Chief Justice Kirkpatrick, who was a Trustee of the
Oolleae, Albert B. Dod, our present Professor of Mathematics, was nominated in the
Board of Trustees for the Mathematical Chair, and the Judge remarked that he was
not acquainted with the candidate, and did not know his reputation as a mathemati-
cian; nevertheless be would vote for him most cheerftillyj he liked the name; that he
never knew a Dod (and he was acquainted with many of them) that was not bom a
mathematician; that there was one Thaddeus Dod in College when he was a student,
who seemed to understand mathematics by Instinct; that all the students applied to
him for aid when any thing difficult occurred in theur mathematical studies. He pre-
sumed the candidate was of the same stock,* and he would vote for him.
" It does not appear that he was less eminent as a classical than a mathematical
scholar. The Greek and Hebrew texts prefixed to some of his discoursesj^each neatly
written in its appropriate character,— «how his familiarity with those languages. He had
much versatility or talent, and could pursue with pleasure any branch of science; but
the word of God. the doctrine of the Cfross, was his favourite study.
" Bev. Dr. Eliot, hi his Address at the Inauguration of Dr. Clark, as President of
Washington College, uses the followhig language in r^brence to Washington Academy
and Mr. Dod— namely r—' As an Academy, it soon acquired distinction, by having for
its first President the Bev. Thaddeus Dod, one of the early literary pioneers of West-
• em Penn^lvania, the associate of McMillan, Power, and Smith, m tlie formation of
the first rresbytery West of the Alleghany Monntains,-— probably, if we may trust
tradition, the most accomplished scholar of their number.'
'*In preaching he uted notes, seldom entering the pulpit without them; but they
were, for the most part, verv short: fyw of his discourses, though studied with great
care, were written out in ftill. BeinK a subject of pulmonary disease, his voice was
not strong, and did not admit of loud and passionate declamation. His enunciation
was exceedingly distinct, and his emphasis correct, so that he was easily heard even
by a large audience. In his manner, he always showed that he felt the truths he
delivereci, and was anxious that those whom he addressed should feel them too. His
preaching was spoken of by ministers and people as being of a remarkably close dis-
criminating character. He took great delight in religions conversation, entering deeply
into its spirit, and this practice he nrged upon his people in all their communications
together, as a means of growth in grace, and of sth'ring each other up to love and
good works. With the young people of his charge he used great familiarity, and
especially by affectionately urging upon them the claims of the Gospel."
* The PkofesBor was a gnnd^nephew of Thaddeus Dod.
860 nMSBTSMBUXL
JOHN EANKIN.
1775—1798.
FROM THB BBV. ISAAC W. K. HAKDY.
PoEnKOUTH, Ta., June 7, 1867.
Bey. and dear Brother : The name of John Bankm ia well worUiy of a
record in your " Annals." He was a bright light in ** the Peninanla ;" and
though it is now nearly sixty years since his candlestick was removedy the
rays of that light are still reflected in the ** lower cpnoties,'* and children's
children experience their continued influence. As I have had considerable
opportunities of investigating his history, I am happy to f unush you the
result in the following brief sketch.
John Bankin was a native of the same little *' Diamond State," thai
gave to the Church such men as Davies, Miller the younger, McWhorter,
James P. Wilson, and a host of others — earnest friends of the cause ai
Presbyterianbm, as well as of our common Ohrisiianity. He was born at
Newark, De., on the 22d of March, 1750, of— it is believed — poor but
respectable parentage. He was a student in the '* Old Aoiademy" of his
native village ; where he acquired a knowledge of the languages, and made
commendable progress in such other branches as were taught in the Prea*
byterian schools of that day. His theological studies were pursued under
the direction of the Bev. Thomas Bead, D. D., of Wilmington, for whom
he seemed always to entertain the highest respect, and into whose hands we
are informed by tradition were committed some of his mahtscript sermons,
intended for the press ; but which, for some unknown reason,- were not
published. For these sermons I have made diligent search^ but withotit
success. I have, however, been fortunate enough to find, in pciesession of
a son of the excellent Bead, an autograph essay on the soibject of Temper*
ance, which b interesting, not only as a beautiful specimen of chirography,
but as illustrative of the sound principles held by some good men, long
before the day of Temperance pledges and associations^ . *
In 1778, the Presbytery of Lewes, which had generally numbered about
eight meipbers, was found to be reduced just one half. The only ministers
remaining to supply the destitute places of that portion of the Peninsula,
lying South of the three upper counties, were Messirs. John Miller, Jacob
Ker.* Alexander Huston,t and Matthew Wilson. These fathers had each
of them two or three congregations to which they statedly ministered ; and
all of them rejoiced to perform as much missionary labour oter the exten-
•Jacob KaB,*-m ion of Walter Kor, an emigraat tram SooUand,— iru bon is TrtahcAdf
N. J. ) was gxadvatod ai the OoUeca of New Jonor, In ]L76St was Tnior in tlit CoUefe from
1760 to 1762 1 was lioenaed to |inaoii hy the New Bnuflwiok Preibjtenr between the meetingi
of 8jnbd in 1762 and 1763, and wai oraained hj the nme Presbyteiy between the meetlngi or
SvBod in 1768 and 1764; was neeifed bj the PnabYteiy of Lewes on the 29th of Angnsty
1764; ^#as eaUed to the Ohuehes of Monohin and Wieomieo, Md., Angnst 29^ 1764: beeame
VuMt tit those Chnrohes shortly alter, and died in eharge of them on the 29th of Jnlj, 1796.
The Hollowing testimony to his worth is firom the Beeords of the PresbytOiy of Lewes »-^« The
k« of this mat andcood man was sensibly felt by the Chnrdh In cenendk and by this Presby^
teiy in parueolar. He was a bright Inminarr in the Chnrohi who lived ezemplarUy, preaehed
wannly, and prayed fenrentiy— a paUem tmly worthy the imitation of his'brethren."
t ALaxAvnan Hvstov was Hoenwd to preaeh by tbe Preibyteiy of Lewes, April 12, 1768:
was ordained and installed Pastor of Martherkiln and Three Buns, De.| Oetobcr 9,' 1764; and
died Jannarr 8. 1786. wnmUr lamentMi.
rive Barrouhding wiwieg^ as .opportimityv and healdt- would albir^ nTh^ij
were unable, howeyer, to comply with half the oaUa that werefmade:upoB
them to preach and tO' adminiBter the ordinancea. At thia eriais,. it waa
reaolyedto aupplicate the Preabytery of Newcastle for ud.- An' urgent
appeal was drawn up, (October 19,) setting forth the fitct that *> here are
numbers of starving so«1b, crying to us for the bread of life, and we unable
to assist them. We, therefore, apply to you, our dear Christian fellow^
labourers, who are not only concerned for your particular churches, but for
the whole Church of Christ, and earnestly request you, as you regard the
common interest of our Lord Jesus, that you send us what suppUes you
possibly can."
Two noble-hearted young men caught the echo of this " Macedonian
cry,*; and responded at once to the pressing appeal. These were Samuel
HcMaster* and John Bankiui McMaster came with a diploma from the
Academy of Newark, De., and a certificate of recommendation from the
Presbytery under whose care he had been previously received as a candidate
for th^ Gospel ministry. Young Rankin was unable to reach the ground
until the following spring. He came, too, under an embarrassment which
his fellow«pupil had escaped— without a presbyterial recommendation.
Early in the winter of 1776, he had applied to the Presbytery of Newcastle
to be taken on trials for licensure ; but some members, objecting to the
reception of an individual who had not been honoured with a College dip-
loma, it was determined to make the application an occasion for an overture
to Synod upon the question — ** May Presbyteries license persons to preach
the Gk)8pel who have not obtuned a degree from some College ?" The
answer to this overture, — which may be found in the Synodical Record, was
just such as might have been expected from a body of judicious and learned
men ; and, no doubt, such as Ranldn himself was satisfied would be returned.
" As Prebbyteries," said th6y« '* are the proper judges to determine con*
ceming the literary and other requisite qualifications for the ministerial
office, it is not intended to preclude from admission to trial those who have
not had the opportunity of obtaining public testimonials, or degrees from
public seminaries^"
Rankin's circumstances were such, that he found it-altogether inexpedient
to wait a whole year for this announcement t and with the consciousness of
a 'pr^>aTation which could be suitably attested by a Presbyterial examina^*
tion, he resolved to make application without delays to the Presbytery of
Lewes to be taken on trials for licensure. The application was favourably
received ; and at the meetbg of Presbytery, held at Mnrtherkiln, November
29, 1776, he was regularly licensed as a probationer for the Gospel ministry.
Immediately after the licensure of Mr. Rankin, he was appointed to sup-
ply the Churches of Buckingham in* Maryland, and Blackwater inDelaware^
at intervals, until the next' meeting of Presbytery. ;. He appeara to have
bterested tiiese associated ^congregations ai once ;• and in ; March, ^e was
again appointed to supply them for the next threa.montha,«-r-*with theiexeep*
tion of a few Sabbaths which > were to be> devoted, to thC'Churohea at 'Wishing
Cfcek and Vienna^ sin Mniryland*. •
r8A3nx«x.McMAsnB.iiwUmMdiQpraMdil7jaMPml^^ inSi
irig Malned Aiiril 20,' ITTet iMilv altor beoteie Piukor of Snow BUl M^d PtUVOmk
OhmohM, In wUoh MBbMlloa h« vemtfaad mon tlian tbirty jmxS^ He wMto « BUMjr ti ite
Bahobokh Cburdh.
YOL. III. 46
362 FBSSBTTEBIAir.
Tlie Ohnrohea of Bnokinghaia and Blaokwater w^re now anzioos to have
the entire aervioes of Mr. Bankiii ; but expecting to be absent for a time
from the boonda of the Presbytery, he could only promise to supply them
on his retom as heretofore. This he continued to do in compliance with
their solicitations, and by regular appointment, until the summer of 1778.
About a year before this, however, he had intimated to his brethren a desire
to be dismissed from the Presbytery. To this proposal they could not
accede ; and at length, in submission to their authority, the idea was aban-
doned altogether. Up to this time, he had continued to exercise his gift,
simply as a licentiate. This subjected the churches to much inconyenience.
The difficulty, howeyer, was unavoidable, as the Presbytery had not been
able to assemble for about fifteen months, in consequence of the agitation
occasioned by the Tories. This having at length subsided, an urgent appeal
was made by the Churches of Buckingham and Blaokwater for his ordina-
tion, " who also begged leave to present a unanimous call for his settie*
ment with them." Mr. Banhin, having signified his disposition to accept
the call, the ordination was effected according to their wishes on the 8d day
of June, 1778, in the church at Murtherkiln. The minister preached his
own ordination Sermon from II. Oor. ii. 16 ; and all the other services were
performed by the Bev. John Miller. Arrangements were made for the
installation, at Buckingham, April 20, 1779, but there is reason to believe
that that service did not take place until the meeting of the Presbytery in
October of the same year.
The comfortable relations existing between Mr. Bankin and his people
are sufficiently apparent in the protracted service which he rendered theip,-^
continuing through a period of more than twenty years. Ooming amongst
them at a time of great political distraction, and when, in consequence of
the peculiar crisis, even the hearts of Christians had contracted an
unwonted spiritual insensibility, it seemed as if he had Utfle to hope. It
was a time of prevailing iniquity — wicked men walked abroad in the unre-
strained indulgence of every lust; infidelity was rife; strange sectarists
were diffusing their erratic and even poisonous sentiments over the length
and breadth of the Peninsula; and, at no time, perhaps, had so great a want
of interest been manifested among all classes, on religious subjects. But
Bankin was not discouraged. With strong confidence in the God of batties,
he went forth to the contest. Whilst, as a Presbyterian, he- was not back-
ward to defend the distinctive principles of his Church, he was yet more
earnest in his advocacy of what he regarded the fundamental truths of our
common Christianity.
Bankin did not labour in vain. An intelligent and able theologian,-^a
lealons preacher, with a fervid and easy delivery, he was heard with atten-
tion wherever he went. Few men have enjoyed a greater popularity; or
enjoying it, have turned it to better account. Instant in season and out of
season, visiting the waste places and preaching to the destitute wherever he
could find them, — he sowed broadcast the seed of the word; and Ood gave
it increase. The savour of his good name was in all the churches; and
whilst the memorials of his holy influence appear in various public and pri-
vate records, there are those yet living who testify to the charm of his con-
versations, exhortations, and sermons. .There are no means, however, of
arriving with statistical accuracy at the results of his labours, even amongst
the people of his own charge* About this time, the Sessions of Buoki^
JOHN SAHKIK.' ggg
bun and Blaokwater, were not particnlar in the preservfttion of tbeb Beo-
ordfl ; and there are no data, by which we oan reaoh even a probable esti-
mate of the nambem bronght into the Kingdom of the Bedeemer- during
his long pastorate. We know, however, that the old frame building in
which he entered upon his work, soon became too strait for the growing
congregation ; and thafc, long before his death, it became necessary to erect
that very stately and commodious brick edifice, which, after resisting the
storms of more than threescore and ten winters, was at length unroofed
and dilapidated by the fearful tempest that brought distress to so many
hearts on the night of the 18th of January last.
About the year 1791, the health of Mr. Bankin began seriously to &il,
so that it became necessary for him to relinquish his Delaware charge,
which, at a distance of some twenty miles, he had continued for years to
serve with great diligence and constancy.
In May, 1792, he represented the Presbytery of Lewes in the General
Assembly ; and he was there again the next year, as a special commissioner,
associated with the Bev. Jacob Eer, Major William Jones, and William
Morris. The appointment of this extra delegation grew out of a report which
had been made to the Presbytery by Mr. Bankin, in relation to a judgment
of the Assembly, virtually censuring that judicatory for an action which
had been taken in the case of the Bev. Francis Hindman.* Through the
influence of these gentlemen, the Assembly was induced to review so much
of their proceedings as related to this matter; and, "after considerable dis^
cussion, it was resolved, as the sense of this house, that no man or body of
men, agreeably to the constitution of this Church, ought to be condemned
or censured, without having notice of the accusation against him or them,
and notice given for trial; and therefore that if the General Assembly of
the last year so meant, by the minute in question, it was informal."
In 1796, we find Mr. Bankin again a member of the Assembly. During
this year also, he was obliged to ask permission of the Presbytery to be
absent part of the summer on an excursion for his health. Indeed, from
this time onward, he appears to have gradually foiled ; until, at length, after
two more years of toil and sufifering, he bade &rewell to the scenes of
earth.
Nearly threescore years have passed since this excellent man went to his
grave. But he is still gratefully remembered by some aged persons ; and
there are few in the vicbity of those ancient churches, in the "lower coun-
ties," who are ignorant of, or without reverence for, the name of Bankin.
With that name is associated a character, presenting an interesting combi-
nation of cheerfulness, energy, piety, and great usefulness. There is not
even a traditionary reminiscence of un&ithfulness as a pastor, nor of impru-
dence or indiscretion in any of the relations which he sustained, — ecclesi-
astical, civil or social. TUs is the more remarkable, as he is known to
have been very deeply interested in the events of the Bevolutionary strug-
gle. At a meeting of Presbytery, held shortly after his death, the follow-
ing memorial was entered upon the Minutes:-^" The Bev. John Bankin
was removed by death, on the 2d instant; by which event the Ohuroh has
• Fbavom Hivdicav wm oldalBed and Initsned Fkftor of the united OooorentioDi of Lewee,
CkMa Spring, end Iiidlen BiTer, De., by the PleebTteiyof Lewei, April STTiTOI^ end wm dii-
led^ fie Slit of April, 1796.
894 nXBBTSOMMM.
There are ir«xioiii^ fereditiens r<tf Mr.rBuikhiV vnoomiBODrpdwdr «ftra
preaehtitif. Tlie.late Qeaeral ;6eoi|;e fiaody^ of Som^raet Ooutityi Md.^ Ua
firequently: remarked that he^oonld diatinc^y 'remember al^OoikiiBiuiion sea*
aon- which ooeurrediai PrinoeBa Aiinev when the Paetdr of -that Chiirdi>^^
Bey.> Jaoob • Ker^— -wa« assiated by> tiie mimater from'Bikekittgham; asd
aaoh. waa the pathos and eloqnenco<if the preacher, and the general aolem-
nity of the soMiei as to leave snimpreesion npon his mind which remabed
viyid after the lapse of many years^
As an illnstration of Mr. Bankin'a powers of extemporaneoos speating,
I may mention the following incident which is said to^have oconrred at
Bishop's Mill, near the Southern line of Delaware, '^-^a locality where, from
time immemorial, on election and other pnblio days, crowds of persons have
xesortad to engage in sneh sports as might be snggested' by the excitement
of. the honr. On one of these occasions, — tradition does not say what,-''^
large concourse of people had assembled; and among the multitude of
topics discussed, the wonderful tinj^rofRpftf' talent of Parson Bankin-^aa he
was familiarly called — was not forgotten. Some alleged that he could speak
fluently and appropriately, on any subject, and at any moment, without the
least premeditation— others doubted-^and to settle the matter, certain par-
ties ventured a wager. The Parson, though at a distance of a dosen miles,
was immediately seni for, with the express nnderstandrng- that he should
not be informed of the object until his arrival. Finding him ^at home, the
messenger returned, in haste, with his charge. As soon aa Mr. Bankin
reached the spot, he was informed that the crowd inshed to hear him preach;
and^ that, without any delay. The friends' of the preacher had not mistaken
his powers. Mounting a stump, or some other convenient delation, h^, at'
oncci opened his Bible, and announced his text j-^Aots x, 29,-^** Theirefore
camel unto you without gaitosaying*, as soon aa Iwas sent for : I ask there-
fore^ for what intent ye have aent for me?" With so appropriate a text,
caught.up is a moment, it< can easily beimsgiaed* that the dermon was cor-
respondingly interesting and impressive.
Mr. Rankin is said to have been a man of fine musical taste. The ffute
and die violin were hia &vourite< instruments <; and : with> all the exiaCmg
prejudice againat ^' fiddling,*' he habitually performed'^n the'odndemned
instrument, without bringing reproaoh upon either the church* or the ndn-^
latry. .
He was also an asdent lover of nature; and his mind delighted in j[K)etry.
It was his habit to rise with the krk ; and in the bright nearly morning to
prepare hia sermons,-(-Qft-timest indeed, whilst walking in the fidds or woods.
Ibere axe several beautifiil hymns extant * which were oomposed by him;
and these hymnsi are- still sung to tunes which were alse'-his own eoiiipdsi*
tion. One of his^ hymns, calbd '«The Bising Sua,'' wast compesed^--both
words and masio-'-^uring a walk* in the morning at' sunrise; • r
In 1780, Mr, Bankin niarried Mary AtldiMon 6f> Woroeater Odua^, Md;,!
by whom he hsA several dhildren,-r-two only of whom noir 8urvive$*'*tiiamely,'
Mr. James Bankin, of Ohio^ and Mrs. 'Sdly Franklin, — widow of the late
Major Henry FranUmofBerlinr, Md. The Hon/ iJohn» Bankin Vraiddin,
of Snow Hill, Md., imd Oeoi^e Franklili, M. D;, of'^BbiiiddsotlviUi; I^
are grandaons of tUa worthy miniater.
99ie xemAmti of Hz^Bankm lie interred in the graye^ifwdrof the thnrehyi
wUeli, for 80 mt^j years, had been the soene of his .laboani^ Orto his
graye ip a marble slab, with the following insoription: —
• **In memory of
T9£ REV. JOHN RANKIN.
Who departed this life, March 2d, 1796,
Afled 48 years :
A baming and shiniiig light in thia part of Christ's
yineyard, 20 years.
In mental improyement, excelled by few;
As a divine, well instrncted
In the mysteries of Christ's Kingdom;
Taught by hu Master to give each their meat
In dae season;
In priTSte and public life beloved by all
Who knew him;
A fkithftil, diligent pastor;
A tender husband; an indulgent parent;
Lovely and pleasant in his life.
Servant of Jxses, here repose in peace:
Thy course is finished; won the heavenly prise;
Henceforth, a glorious crown of righteousness
And endless Uus await thee in the skies."
I am, with mnoh respeot,
: Tonr friend and brother,
ISAAC W. K. HANDT.
WILLIAM GRAHAM.
1776—1799.
FROM THE RET. ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER, D. D.
Psiiroaiov, Kovember 28, 1849.
Ber. and dear Sir : In complying with yonr request for some notices of
the life and character of my former instmoter and friend the Bct. William
Ghraham, I shall avail myself chiefly of an Address which I deliyered, some
years ago, before the Alumni of Washington OoUoge, and which, upon
examination, I find to be entirely in accordance with my present impres-
sions.
.William Graham was bem on the 19th of December, 1746, in the
township of Paxton, near Harrisbnrg, in Lancsater Oonntyy. (now Dan-
pbine,) in Penn^lvania. His father wiasra plain farmer, in^ m(^erate cir-
cnpuilanQes, and:^emigrated from the North of Ireland, as did also his
mother, whpsemune (before snairiage was Susannah Miller. ■• Mr,' -B6an was
tharPasior <if\ thA ^esbyterianilOlHiroh inPsztoui which was m^ch larger
ar hundred years agotthaa atrpresent, owing lo the* faot thai the Gehnaiis
haye bought out most of tho: original ^settlerB^ whowere Scotch ind Irish.
Until.the age of manhood,? Mr. Graham was brought up in the business of
agnouUure<> which he- understood welli and' of which ^h^ was always fond;
But, at lihie periodiof his liftotUunog undergone- a great change kidiis reli«
giouy.yiews andleeUags» heiMSoked to prepare for ithe:'work^o9thev holy
miniatryti;' The obataelesiin hii;»way4tere> indeed^ great : <but'(Mng encbur'
ag9d4>|^^^oottAMls» andilM.od<bf lAaeffoffta'andprajeiii ofti mcst^xeel*
366 PBESBTTEBIAK.
lent m'oth^, to whom be attribated, in a great measure, bia Buooess in diis
important enterprise, be ventured, under idl diaoouragements, to go forward
in endeayouring to obtain a liberal ednoation, depending on the guidance
and aid of Divine Providenee. Having prepared biniBelf for admission to
the College of New Jersey, he entered that institution, in company with a
number of young meii, who became eminent in the Church or State. Among
whom, as a scholar, h0 stood pre-eminent ; for, during the college course,
be gained a whole year ; that is, he anticipated the studies of the Senior
year before the cUss entered on them, and was permitted to retire from
College till the time of the examination of his class, when he attended with
them, and was graduated in the year 1778. As his father was unable con-
veniently to bear the expenses of his son, while at College, he contributed
to his own support, by teaching in the grammar school, then under the spe-
dal direction of Dr. Witherspoon, the President of the College. Having
completed his college course, he pursued his theological studies under the
tuition of the Rev. Mr. Roan, a divine of considerable distinction. But,
during the whole period of his education, he was constantly engaged in the
study of Theology. Among all his teachers, however, he gave the prefer-
ence to his excellent mother ; and has been heard to say that he learned
more of practical religion from her, than from all persons and books beside.
He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Hanover, on the 26th of
October, 1775.
When the Hanover Presbytery determined to establish a school for the
rearing of young men for the ministry, they applied to the Rev. Samuel
Stanhope Smith, then itineratbg in Ihe State of Yir^nia, to recommend a
suitable person to take charge of their school, — ^upon which, he at once
recommended Mr. (}raham, and at their request wrote to him to come on to
the Valley of Virginia. Before this time, a classical school had been
taught at a place called Mount Pleasant, near to the little town of Fairfield.
Here Mr. Graham commenced his labours as a teacher ; and here we find
the germ whence sprung Washington College.
It was not long, however, before it was judged expedient to remove the
in&nt school to Timber Ridge Meeting-House, where a convenient house for
the Rector was built, and idso an Academy, and other small buildings for
the accommodation of the students. A considerable sum was now raised
by subscription for the purchase of books and a philosophical apparatus, and
Mr. Orahflun was entrusted with the business of selecUng and purchasing
such articles as he should judge most useful and necessary ; and, accordingly,
he took a journey to Philadelphia, and executed judiciously the trust reposed
in him. He also travelled into New Bngland, to solicit benefactions for the
rising Academy, and not without some success, though not very considers*
ble. At this tune, the prospects of the infant institution were yery enoour^
aging, and if no untoward events had occurred, there is reason to believe
that it would speedily have risen to great eminence and usefulness. ]B!ui
the Revolutionary war having burst on the country, threatening rum and
desolation, the attention of all trtu men was turned to the defenois of
the country ; and from no part of the United States, it is believed, did mori
young men enter the public service, than from the rcj^on to which I am
now refbrring. And it may truly be said that the patriotic fire burned in
no bosom with a wanner fiame, than in that of Mr. OrfeJiam himselfl ' Oli a
certain occasion, when, by invitation of the Sxeoutive authority of the BtaCe,
WILLIAM GEAHAX. 357
it waa resolved to raise a Yolnnteer companj of riflemen, to go into aotivo
aervioe, there appeared mncli backwardness in the men to oome forward,—
he stepped ont, and had his own name enrolled, which produced snoh an
effect that the company was immediately filled, of which he was nnanimonsly
chosen Captain ; and all necessary preparations were made for marching to
the seat of war, when General Washington signified to the Governors of
the States, that he did not wish any more volunteer companies to join the
army.
The abandonment of the houses erected at Timber Ridge, appears to have
taken place, — ^though without authority, — as a matter of necessity. The
income from the Academy was small, and his salary for preaching to the
two Congregations of Timber Ridge and Hall's Meeting-House, (now Mon-
mouth,) being paid in depreciated currency, it was impossible for him to
support his family. He, therefore, resolved to return to fiurming, and,
accordingly, he purchased a small farm on the North River, within a mile
or two of the present site of Washington College.
The school at Timber Ridge was, however, continued for some time after
Mr. Graham retired to his farm, and he endeavoured to perform the duties
of a Rector, by visiting it, and giving instruction, several times in each
week. But this being found very inconvenient to himself, and disadvan-
tageous to the school, after due deliberation, ho resolved to relinquish the
establishment at Timber Ridge, and to open a school in hb own house. It
was here that, at an early age, I commenced my course of classical learning.
Bven at this time, there was a respectable number of students in the school,
most of them having reached the age and stature of men. After some time,
a frame edifice was erected on ground given for the purpose, and the school
was continued until, in the year 1782, application was made to the Legisla-
ture for an Act of Inoorporation, and, accordingly, a number of Trustees
were formed into a body corporate, to have fiiU charge of the Academy,
which received the name of Libxrtt Hall, — ^which name it retained until
it was endowed by General Washington, when his name was substituted for
that which it had before borne. Before this donation was received, Mr.
Graham had resigned his office as Rector or President, though it is under-
stood that he used all his influence to secure this important endowment ; and
that he was the author of the letter addressed to General Washington, by
the Trustees, in favour of this institution.
• Though Mr. Ghraham had some formidable opposers, who had taken up
strong prejudices against him, and although, after the close of the war, the
character of the students who attended at the Academy was greatly dete-
riorated, and the difficulties which environed him were many and perplex-
ing; yet it must be conceded that, in resigning his important post at this
time, he was not guided by Us usual wisdom. It is not expedient, perhaps,
to bring distinctly into view, in this connection, the disappointment which
attended his favourite scheme of planting in the West a little oolony of
select &milies of like mind, who might live in peace, far from the conten-
tions, bustle, and turmoil of the world. All such schemes must fail in the
present state of human nature.
Mr. Graham possessed a mind formed for aoeurate and profound investigap
tion. He had studied the Latin and Ghreek olasrics with great care, and
relished the beauties of ihese exquisite compositions. With those authors
taught in ^e schools, he waa ftmiliar by a long practice in teaching, and
idwftys ioABted <m the importaaoe cijohmotlUt^ir^^
daUon of a liberal edooatioD. ,.^> ;, ..,.« 'i;.
, He Jiad a airong inoUnatjoiiiip tbe.stadjiitf I^a^ural PhUoflOfJijj f^^-tpoJIj;
pleaanre, in nuking .ozp^»riii(c|Di«, iritk.sqiobikppairatiia.aa, )1m9 poeipflaej ;^ m^
be bad proenred for hi^..Aoademy aa good a one aa waa tbenc pen^Be^d^ by
moat of the Oollegea» .In;tbe8e .e?ip(Briinenta> madb timoiifM ^plpj^d, op
wbiob•inqniai|i▼^ peny)na, noioonneqied witb tbe Academy^ were fr^dy pe^
mitted to attend.
Ashe was an ard^t , patriot andathorongb repnbliean« tbe times in
wbiob be lived led bim to bestow mnob attention on tbe seife^oe of govefn-
ment; and one of , the few pieoes wbiob be wrote for the press was on this
9nbjeot. By some be was censored for meddling with polities ; bnt i)( abonld
be remembered that, at that time, tbisoountry^ having oast off its aUegianoe
to Gkeat Britain, and declared itself independent, bad to lay. the fonndatipn
of governments both for tbe States and for the Nation ; and that tbe wal-
fiure of posterity, as well aa of tbe eiisting inhabitants c^ the oonAtiyi wm
involved in tbe wisdom witb which this work was done. Tbe talents of
every man, eapable of thinking and jndgmg on snob snbjeets, seemed to be
fiorly pnt into reqiusition. It is a sonnd maxim that men living at one
time mnst not be judged by the maxims of an age in wbiob all bironmatanoes
are greatly changed. At the adoptbn of tbe.Pederal Gonstitntion, which,
i^NKnrding to its original draft, he did not approve^ be i»linqnisbe4 all atten-
tion to poliUcs during tbe remainder of bia life.
' The. science, however, which engaged bis attention more tban.aU otbersi
except Theology, waa the Pbilosophy of tbe Bfind» In this be took great
delif^t, and to it he devoted much time and attention. , T^ipagb acquainted
with the best treatises which: bad then been published, bis inyjostigatipns
were not carried on so much, by books, as by a patient and repeated analy-
sis of ibe various processea of thought, aa they arose in bis own mind, and
by reducing tbe phenomena thus observed to a regular system. I am of
oinnion that tbe aystem of mental pbiloaopby which he thus formed, was, in
deamess and fulness, superior to any thing which has been given to tbe
public, in tbe numerous works which have recently been publishod on this
subject. And it is gready to be regretted that bis Lectures were never
fidly committed to writmg, and published for tbe benefit of the world. It
Was^ however, a iiault in this man of. profound thought, that, be made /little,
use of bis pep. And it waa abp a defect that,, in the latter years of JbisUfe,
]^e addicted himself, little to reading ibe producti,on9 pf.otbes ^ni^i, fund j»err
baps entertained too low an opinion of the value of bookJB. .
. .Untjou will wish to know aomething more paitioiilsrly of Mir. .Giabam
aa a theologian and a . preacher. From tbe ^ time of .bis. . ordinf tipn^ 1^ :^e
^T^ibytery of Hanover in 1776, be became a. ;^aoher'of Theology. ..Most
of 4bose,wbo entered tbe ^bdy ministry in. tbe Yalley of l^ifginjai Pj^krsDed,
their preparatocy stndiea under > bis direotion. .And, afteir.ibec great fevjvsil
wbi0K commenced in the jear 1780, bebad a tbeologiealf class of spyen, t>ri
tight ^embers j under bis foition, wbiob was kept, up &r several, jean. 1%
waa his custom to devote one day in tbe week,ta heftfing the i^^^ ,d|q-,
ooura^ of these. oaiidi4at<»B, and. to a free ndisonssion of t^eolo^^ points.
Iif^tbeae evfuroiaea.)^ app<(M«ed.i9,takeu.giMt}dfli^ Pi^ t^ stqd^nts w^re.
^m Wtifle^,: fpd $piiipo9lj> OQUv^ii)^,, by ]^i«i|4n«|^tn4i^i^^
OQgent;|E)9pMi0iiinga« iM,4^t^%jiiA^i^^j^
WILLIAM GRAHAM. SQQ
tionfl in this inoipieiit Theological Seminary are not now in ihe world, it ^y
not be improper to say that some of them rose to eminence in the Ohnroh,
and as Professors or Presidents of literary institntions. The inflnonoe
which he gained over the minds of his pnpils, while nnder his care, was
unbounded. Yet he encouraged the utmost freedom of discussion, and
seemed to aim, not so much to bring hb pupils to think as he did, as to
teach them to think on all sabjects for themselves. A slavish subjection to
any human authority he repudiated ; and, therefore, never attempted to add
weight to his opinions, by referring to a long list of authors, of great name;
but uniformly insisted that all opinions should be subjected to the test of
Scripture and reason. Some of his students have been heard to say that
the chief benefit which they derived from his instructions, was that, by this
meanSf they were led to the free and independent exercbe of their own
faculties in the investigation of truth.
Mr. Graham, in his theological creed, was strictly orthodox, according to
the standards of his own Church, which he greatly venerated ; but, in his
method of explaining some of the knotty points in Theology, he departed
considerably from the common track ; and was of opinion that many things
which have been involved in perplexity and obscurity, by the manner in
which they have been treated, are capable of being easily and satbfactorily
explained by the application of sound principles of philosophy. As a
preacher, he was always instructive and evangelical ; though in common his
delivery was rather feeble and embarrassed than forcible ; but when his
feelings were excited, his voice became penetrating, and his whole manner
awakening and impressive. And his profound study of the human heart
enabled him to describe the various exercises of the Christian with a clear-
ness and truth which often greatly surprised his pious hearers ; for it seemed
to them as if he could read the very inmost sentiments of their minds ;
which he described more perfectly than they could do themselves. When it
was hb object to elucidate some more difficult point, it was hb custom to
open his trenches, so to speak, at a great distance ; removing out of the
way every obstacle, until he was prepared to make his assault on the main
fortress : thus, insensibly, he led his hearers along, step by step, gaining
their assent, first to one proposition, and then to another, until, at last,
they could not easily avoid acquiescence in the conclusion to which he
wbhed to bring them. As a clear and cogent reasoner, he had no superior
among hb contemporaries ; and hb pre-eminence in the exercise of thb
faculty was acknowledged by all unprejudiced persons.
It has been hinted that Mr. Graham had enemies, who often had influence
to impede or thwart hb favourite schemes ; and candour requires that it
should be acknowledged that he sometimes imprudently made enemies of
those who might have been efficient friends, by too free an indulgence of
satirical and saroastical remarks; which weapon he could wield with great
power. And it must also be conceded that towards hb opponents he never
manifested much of a conciliatory temper* but seemed rather dbposed to
stand aloof from them, and to set them at defiance.
In the government of youth, Mr. Graham was, from the first, a rigid and
unyielding dbciplinarian. He laid it do¥m as a principle that, at every
rbk, authority must be maintained; and when thb was by any one resisted,
however formidable the stadent might be in physical strength, or however
many might combine to frustrate the regular exercbe of dbcipline, he fear-
Vol. in. 47
670 FBESBTTEB^.
lessly went forwftrd in ihe discharge of his duty, and generally trinrnplied
OTer all opposition ; and often inflicted severe castigation on the thought-
less persons, who dared to rebel against lawful authority. Whether his
rigour might not, in some instances, have been extreme, is a question on
wUoh judicious men would differ in opinion.
As has been already hinted, the great error of his life was the relinquish-
ment of the important station in which Providence had placed him, and for
which he was so eminently qualified ; and that at a time of life when he
possessed the ability of being more useful than at any former period. Hav-
ing removed to the banks of Ohio Biver, he fell into great embarrassments,
in the midst of which he died, in consequence of a violent fever contracted
by exposure to frequent drenching rains, while on a journey to Bichmond.
In that city he breathed his last, on the 8th of June, 1799, in the house of
his friend, the late Colonel Robert Gamble; and his remains were deposited
near the Episcopal Church on the hill, over which a plain marble slab, with
a short inscription, is placed.
Mr. Graham was married to a young woman in Carlisle, by the name of
Mary Kerr. They had two sons and three daughters who lived to mature
age. His eldest son entered the mmistry, and, after licensure, was sta-
tioned in Prince George County, below Petersburg, where he contracted
a bilious fever that proved fatal. His only other son who grew to man-
hood, was his youngest child, and was taken by James PriesUey, LL. D.,
and educated out of gratitude for Mr. Graham's kindness in giving him a
liberal education. He studied medicine, lived in Georgia, and was hope-
fully converted among the Methodists, of which society he became a mem-
ber, and died a few years sboe.
The extent of the influence exerted by this one man over the literature
and religion of Yirginia, cannot be calculated. As the stream which fer-
tiliies a large district is small in its origin, but goes on continually increas-
ing until it becomes a mighty river, so the influence of the Bev. William
Graham did not cease when he died, but has gone on increasing by means
of his disciples, who have been scattered &r and wide over the West and
South.
Tours truly,
A. ALBXAKDEB.
JOHN MoKNIGHT. i^^l
JOHN Mcknight, d. d .♦
1776—1828.
John MoEnight wu born near GarliBle, Pa., October 1, 1754. His
father, who served as Major in the French and Indian wars of that period,
died dnring the early childhood of this son, and his mother sabseqaently
contracted a second marriage. Little is known of his early life, except that
he exhibited great loveliness and buoyancy of temper, which made him a
general favourite with his associates. In due time he became a member of
the College of New Jersey, where he graduated under the Presidency of
Dr. Witherspoon, in 1778.
Shortly after leaving College, he went to Shippensburg, Pa., where he
prosecuted his theological studies, under the Erection of the Bev. Dr.
Robert Cooper. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Donegal
between the meetings of Synod in 1774 and 1775, and was ordained by Uie
same Presbytery in the latter part of 1776, or early in 1777.
In 1775, shortly after his licensure, he went to Virginia, and organised a
Congregation on Elk Branch, embracing the country between Shepherds-
town and Charlestown. Here he remained till 1788, when he resigned his
charge, and accepted a call to the Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church,
in Adams County, Pa. This connection was eminently favourable to both,
his comfort and usefulness, and the years which he spent here he ever after-
wards regarded as among the happiest of his life. He owned a farm of
about one hundred and fifty acres ; and such was the generous consideration
of his large and respectable congregation towards him, that they actually
left him little to do in cultivating it, while the voluntary offerings which
they otherwise made him were more than double his stipulated salary.
A somewhat amusing incident occurred during his connection with this
church, that was strikingly illustrative of one feature of his character. He
had just ordained three ruling elders ; and one of them was appointed to
attend the meeting of Presbytery to be held the next week. He came to
the Pastor on the evening of the day of his ordination, under a good deal
of agitation, to inquire what were the duties that would be expected of
him. Perceiving the state of hb mind, Mr. McKnight assumed a serious
' sir, and repUed, — '* Tou are to see that my horse is fed and saddled in time
to start ; to go before and have breakfast or dinner prepared for us ; to pay
the bills, and in Presbytery to vote as I do." This playfulness relieved the
anxious elder, whose countenance changed from its solemn gravity to a
smile, — when opportunity was given to inform him what his real duties
would be as a member of the Body.
After labouring with the Marsh Creek Church for about three years, he
was called in July, 1789, to be a oollesgue Pastor with the Bev. Dr.
Bodgers of the united Presbyterian Congregation of the city of New York ;
and after mature deliberation, and by the advice of the Presbytery of
which he was a member, he accepted the call, and was installed on the 2d
of December of that year. The church, which had previously been in a
somewhat divided state, in consequence of having hsd several candidates
among them, now beoame harmonious, and Mr. McKnight entered upon his
• MS. fiom Ui MB.— Mm«r»8 Life of Bodgm.
372 PBISBTTKKIAV.
labonn wiik great leal and alacrity. He waa aooiutomed to preaoh regu-
larly three timet on the Sabbath, and to lecture on the Shorter Oatechinn
on a week-day eyening, beeides performing a large amount of more private
pastoral labour.
In 1791, he wae honoured with the d^;ree of Doctor of Divinity from
Tale Oollege; and in 1795, wae Moderator of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church.
Early in 1792, Dr. MoKnight's health had become so much impaired by
his arduous and incessant labours, that it became evident that he could no
longer preach three times on the Sabbath; and, as the congregation were
very desirous of keeping up the third service, they resolved on callbg a third
minister. They accordingly gave a call to Mr. (afterwards the Rev. Dr.)
Samuel Miller, which he accepted ; and his ordination and installation took
place in June of the next year. In 1797 and 1798, a new Presbyterian
Church was built in Butgers street, in connection with the collegiate charge;
and a large debt, contracted by the enterprise, was, to a great extent, dis-
charged by the personal efforts of Dr. McKnight, in collecting funds for the
purpose.
In 1806, Dr. McKnight was commissioned by the New York Missionary
Society to visit the Tuscarora Indians, among whom that Society had pre-
viously had a missionary, — ^to decide upon the expediency of organising a
Christian church among them. He executed the commission, much to the
satisfaodon of the Society, as appears from their next annual Report. He
found some serious difficulties in the way of the organisation, partly growing
out of the ignorance and dubious Christian character of some at least, who
offered themselves as candidates for church membership, and partly from a
difference of opinion, on some points, with the missionary who was on the
ground; but, notwithstandiog these embarrassments, he proceeded to
organise the congregation, and the whole was peiformed in an orderly,
peaceable and solemn manner.
Dr. McKnight remained in New York, in the earnest and faithful dis-
charge of his ministerial duties, twenty years. In April, 1809, the colle-
giate connection was dissolved. Though Dr. McKnight had always been
opposed to collegiate charges, from principle, yet he deemed the diseolution
of that existing relationship, at that time, inexpedient, as he considered
some of the measures employed to effect it, unjustifiable. Anticipating
protracted collisions and jealousies as the result, and being considerably
advanced in life, as well as reduced in health, he determmed to resign, and,
with the consent of the Presbytery, did resign, his pastoral charge.
On leaving New York, he removed to a small but beautiful farm, with
modem improvements, in the neighbourhood of Chambersburg, Pa., which
he had purchased for a residence. Shortly after this, the Presbyterian
Church of Rooky Spring, one of the oldest congregations in that region, —
then recently rendered vacant, and whose house of worship was about three
miles from his dwelling, unanimously invited him to become their pastor.
He dissuaded them from presenting him a regular call; but consented to
serve them as a stated anpply, as his health would penpit ; and as such he
performed towards them aU Ihe duties of a pastor, with as much fidelity
and punctuality as if the pastoral relation had actually been constituted.
About this time, he received several pressing invitations from different
churches in the State of New York, to take the pastoral charge of them;
JOHir HoKiriGHT. 373
bat in eaoh oase he returned a negative answer. Hia removal from New
Tork he always regarded as a happy event in his life. It not only loosened
him from the cares and responsibilities of a heavy city ohaige, whioh had
become exhausting by reason of advancing age, but brought him into a
peaceful retirement, among a large circle of relatives and friends, and gave
him leisure for those special devotional exercises so congenial with his feel-
ings, and so fitting to his circumstances and prospects.
In 1815, he was invited to the Presidency of Dickinson College. Con-
trary to his own inclination, he yielded to the importunities of his friends,
and accepted the invitation. But he soon found Uiat the fiscal concerns of
the institution were so much embarrassed, as to render the hope of its suc-
cess, and even permanency, in his estimation, at best doubtful ; and he
accordingly resigned the office, after having held it for little more than a
year. He now returned to his farm, and resumed hb ministerial labours,
and continued in the discharge of them, as opportunity offered or occasion
required, until the commencement of the year 1822, when he had an attack
of a bilious epidemic disease, which entirely prostrated his physical energies,
already greatly reduced by age, and a long course of active miniBterial
labour. From the effects of this attack he never recovered ; and on the
21st of October, 1828, in the seventieth year of his age, in the full exercise
of his mental powers, and in the lively assurance of a future glorious life,
he departed calmly and triumphantly to mingle in other scenes.
Dr. HcKnight published six Sermons on Faith,* [recommended by Doc-
tors Rodgers and Witherspoon,] 1790 ; a Thanksgiving Sermon, 1795 ; a
Sermon before the New York Missionary Society, 1799 ; a Sermon on the
present state of the political and religious world, 1802 ; a Sermon on the
death of the Rev. Dr. John King, 1811.
On the 17th of October, 1776, he was married to Susan, daughter of
Gkorge Brown, of Franklin County, Pa., who survived her husband about
nine years. They had ten children. Two of them entered the ministry,
one of whom b deceased, the other is still (1857) living. Another entered
the medical profession, became a Surgeon in the navy of the United States,
and died on the 14th of May, 1857, in the sixty-fifth year of his age.
Wabhinoton MoKnight, the eldest son of the Roy. Dr. McKnight,
was bom near MiUerstown, Adams County, Pa., January 29, 1779. He
was graduated at Columbia College, New York, in 1798. Having prose-
cuted his theological studies under the direction of his &ther, he was
licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New York, October 8, 1800. After
his licensure, he spent considerable time in travelling through the State
of New York, and some of the adjacent States, visiting vacant churches,
forming an acquaintance with many Presbyterian ministers, and exercising
his talents in preaching. Having declined invitations to settle in several
places, he was at length invited to become the Pastor of the Presbyterian
Church in Augusta, Ga., and President of the Academy in that place. This
invitation he thought it Ids duty to accept ; and, accordingly, he was ordained
• Dr. Anhitald Alezaadmr flatflf thai, io one of bit prHMhiiif «zeiinioM io the mi)j put
ofbitminiftiy^liemotwIthftMr. Boboi OmpUU, who hud fermeilyboonftiiMmborof Dr.
MoKnight'i oongrofUloii In Vlifliiliy and whoM memory wm lo prodigioas thftt ho ooold ropett
maoj orbit Sonnoiif vorbAtlmt thai «ftor the Dootor*i romoTtl to Now Toik« iHmb bo molTed
to pnUisb bif Sonnoiif on FMtti, bo fomad tho muinMfipt of one of them wae vOadag, oad on
nppljina to Mr. CofflpboU, leoofned the dlnomi^ not only in rabitenee, bnt nee^j or quite
to the Tonr letter.
874 PBSSBTTEBIAJr.
by the Presbytery of New Tork, April 26, 1804, and prooeeded immediately
to undertake the dntiea of the double eharge devolved upon him. These
duties he disoharged in a manner that gave promise of extensive usefulness.
But his career of activity was destmed to be short. Within less than a
year after his arrival at Augusta, he was attacked with a disease, known as
"the strangers' fever," which, after a few days, temimated fatally. He
died on the 5th of September, 1808, in tho twenty-ninth year of his age.
He retained the full use of his intellectual faculties to the last, and passed
away under the sustaining influence of a hope full of immortality. He was
uncommonly amiable in his dispositions, and bland in his manners; was a
fine dassicid scholar, and an animated, earnest and popular preacher.
FROM THE RET. GEORGE DUFFIELD, D; D.
^ DiTBOZT, Marcli 11, 1850.
Rev. and dear Sir: You ask me to communicate to you whatever recollections
I may have of the Rev. Dr. John McKnight, which may serve to illustrate his
character. It is but little that I knew personally in relation to him. He was
fu my superior in years and attainments. Although a resident of the same
place with him for the greater part of a year, and assodated in the same Presby-
tery fbr several years, in the latter period of his life, my opportunities for inter-
course with him were perhaps scarcely sufficient to Justify me in undertaking
what you request. I will, however, do the best to meet your wishes that I can.
Dr. McKnight was a man of slender person, and rather above the medium
height. His countenance indicated a considerate turn of mind, and at least a
capacity for deep thought, ffis manners were graceful and dignified, without
any attempt at the polish and courtier4ike demeanor, sometimes assumed by popu-
lar and fitfhionable clergymen. He was at home in all society, and could adapt
himself, in his native simplicity of character, to every variety of age, temper, and
education. A shade had been cast upon his natural naivete and cheerAilness by
advancing years, and possibly deepened somewhat by unexpected changes in his
ministerial relations. In the circle of his friends and acquaintances, and among
the people to whom he ministered, his manner was free and affable, and his con-
versation pleasant and instructive. As a preacher, he was calm and dispassionate.
Although there was little variety in either his tones or gesture, yet his delivery
was ikr from being dull or monotonous : it was well adapted to his matter, whidi
was generally a lucid, logical exhibition of some important scriptural trutii. He
was a aealous assertor and advocate of the Oalvinistic faith, which, however, he
chose to present in connection with a " thus saith the Lord,'' rather than the
subtleties of metaphysics. The bearing of Ohristian doctrine on Ohristian expe-
rience and practice, he carefrilly set forth; and a smaU volume which he pub-
lished, on the sulject of " saving Ikith," unfolds both his own influential belief,
and his opposition to Antinomian peculiarities. He maintained the views' which
had been held and defended by Dr. Robert Smith of Pequea, Pa., in his contro-
versy with Dr. Annan. This work was well received and extensively dronlated,
and was acknowledged, even by those who dissented frotn the views which it
maintains, to evince a very thorough acquaintance with didactic theology, and
no inconsiderable skill in conducting an argiiment.
The first time I recollect to have seen Dr. McKnight, was during the sessions
of the General Assembly in Philadelphia, in May, 1812, if I mistake not, when
the subject of the location of the Theological Seminary was under consideration,
Princeton and Ohambersburg were the places between which the competition was
greatest. Dr. McKnight earnestly advocated the latter, deprecatfaig various
influences which he stated, and predicting (for he spoke thus oonfldenUy) that.
JOHN HoKKiaHT. 375
in pxooess of time» should it be placed in Princeton, it would become the great
ruling head and motive power in the General Assembly. On this subject he
displayed great seal; but he was orerruled by the judgment of his brethren. I
think he seldom appeared afterwards iti the G^eneral Assembly, but diligently
confined his attentions and labours within the immediate region in which he
lived.
Dr. McKnight finished his earthly career, surrounded by his family and friends,
and among a people who still greatly reverence his memory. Having com-
menced his ministerial labours in the region where he died, at a very early period
after its first settlement, his name was associated with the earliest and most
important events connected with the Ohurch and cause of Christ, witMn the
bounds of the Presbytery of Oarlisle. There are still living a considerable
number, who cherish a grateftd appreciation of his services, as an able and faith-
ful minister of Ohrist
Very respectfully yours,
GEORGE DUFFIELD.
JOHN LINN.
1776—1820.
FROM THE BEY. ROBERT BAIRD, D. D.
N sw YoBK, January 15, 1860.
My dear Sir : My personal recollections of the Bev. John Linn are not
very extensive or minute ; and yet, in my earlier days, I had some oppor-
tunities of knowing him, and I can truly say that he left an impression upon
my mind which time has done little to impair. I regarded him as an
uncommonly fine specimen of a man ; and so, I am confident, he was gen-
erally regarded by those who were privileged to know him. The materials
for the following brief notice of him, are derived from the most authentic
source ; though his life was of so even a tenor, that it oould hardly form
the subject of a protracted narrative.
John Linn was bom in Adams County, Pa., in the year 1749. His
parents were Presbyterians, and were connected with the Congregation of
Lower Marsh Creek, in the Presbytery of Carlisle. He made a profession
of religion while he was yet quite a youth. He was fitted for College by
the Bev. Dr. Bobert Smith of Pequea, Lancaster County, Pa., and was
graduated at Nassau Hall, during the Presidency of Dr. Witherspoon, in
the year 1773* He was a classmate of Henry Leo, Morgan Lewis, Aaron
Ogden, John Blair Smith, William Graham, John McKnight, and several
others, distinguished in iheir respective professions. After leaving College,
he returned to Pennsylvania, and studied Theology under the direotion of
the Bev. Dr. Bobert Cooper, minister of the Congregation of Middle
Spring, within the limits of what was then Donegal (now Carlisle) Pres-
bytery. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Donegid in
December, 1776. Not fiar from a year after his licensure, the Congregations
of Sherman's Valley, in Cumberland (now Perry) County, invited him to
become their pastor. He accepted the invitatbn, and was aocordingly
ordained and installed shortly after. Here he remained labouring futhfidly
37Q PBESBTTEBIAJr,
and efficiently to the oloee of las ministry, and hie Ii&. He died in the
year 1820, in the aeTenty-first year of bia age. Hia death ooonrted in oon-
aeqnenoe of hia being overtaken by a severe shower, on his way home from
chnroh. Being warm, from the exercise of preaching, he took a violent
oold, which ran into a typhns- fever, and terminated in death, within a few
days. His son, the Rev. James Linn, who resided at a dbtance, arrived at
the paternal residence in time to attend his father's funeral ; and, on the
Sabbath saoceeding, occupied the vacant pulpit.
Soon after his settlement in the ministry, he was married to Hary Get-
tys, a native of the neighbourhood in which he resided. She survived him
a few years. They had seven children, — ^five sons and two daughters. One
of them, the Rev. James Linn, D. D., born in 1788, is the Pastor of a
Presbyterian Church in Bellefont, Pa.
Mr. Linn was about five feet ten inches in height, portly and symmetri-
cal in his form, and muscular and active in his bodily movements. He had
great strength of constitution, and uncomuion powers of endurance. His
disposition was social and cheerful ; he could easily accommodate himself
to persons of different characters and conditions in life, and was cordially
welcomed by every circle into which he was thrown. He was distinguished
for sobriety of mind rather than versatility ; was reflective rather than imag-
inative. As his salary was inadequate to the support of hb &mily, ho was
under ih^ necessity of conducting a farm, and, at certain seasons of the
year, of labouring upon it himself : this rendered him a less vigorous and
diligent student than he would otherwise have been, particularly in the lat-
ter part of his life ; but his mmd was so trained to reflection, that bis stud-
ies could hardly be said to be intermitted, even while he was engaged in
manual labour. He was accustomed to write his sermons out at full length,
and deliver them from memory ; except that, in the summer, his morning
discourse, which was a lecture on some portion of the New Testament, was
usually delivered without written preparation. He had a remarkably clear
voice, and uttered himself with great solemnity and impressiveness. One
of his manuscript sermons,— a sermon occasioned by the death of the Rev.
Samuel Waugh* — I have had the opportunity of perusing ; and it shows that
he was a correct writer, and an instructive, methodical and earnest preacher.
He was uncommonly devoted to the interests of his flock, giving no incon-
siderable portion of his time to pastoral visitation. In his &mily, and
indeed in all his relations, he was a fine example of Christian dignity, ten-
derness, and fidelity.
Accept the assurance of my kind regard.
B. BAIBD.
* SAinnUi WAven mm a iiatlTe of OanolPB Tnoi in Adam County, Pa. j mm gmdiiatadnt tlio
OoOocji of ITow Jofiqr in 1778; wm Mttlod u pMtorof the vnltod OragreflUiobi oTBik
PoanilNiiroajiii and MoiMkriian, In 1782: and oondnaod In thli raUtloa nntlF Ui doath, whieli
took plaoo m Jannaiy, 1807. Ono of alt pailsldonon {Jndso dondonln) mju of Um— "Ho
1 divine^ avoiy aoooptablo praaekior> and h!|^ oitoomod by hia ^ooplo.''
SAXUEL TAGGABT. 8>^7
SAMUEL TAGGART *
1776—1825.
Samuxl Taooabt wafl born at Londonderry, N. H., Maroh 24, 1754.
His father was James Taggart, and his mother was a daughter of James
Anderson, both of whom were bom in Ireland, but migrated with their
parents to this country, — ^the former, when he was eleven years old, the
latter, when she was about eight. Hb father was for many years a ruling
elder in the Second Presbyterian Church in Londonderry, but afterwards
removed to Hali&x, Yt., where he died at a very advanced age.
Samuel was the youngest of eleven children, the principal part of whom
died in infancy. He had the advantage of a religious education, and at an
early period became a vigorous defender of the doctrines of Calvinism,
while yet religious truth had gained no permanent lodgement in his heart.
Indeed, notwithstanding he had intervals of thoughtfulness in regard to his
higher interests, he was in the main regardless of religion as a practical
concern, and even yielded to some of the forms of open vice.
He commenced a course of study preparatory to College, a little before
he had completed his fourteenth year, under the direction of a clergyman,
supposed to be the Bev. Mr. McGregore, in his native place. In October,
1772, when he was in his nineteenth year, he became a member of the
Junior class in Dartmouth College. His mind, at this period, seems to
have acquired something like a settled aversion even to religious contem-
plation. But almost immediately after he entered College, through the
earnest and futhful ministrations of the first President Wheelock, he was
brought into a state of great anxiety in respect to his immortal interests.
After this, however, there were, for several months, alternations of compa-
rative indifference and deep concern, until, in April, 1778, he experienced
a great change in his feelings, which he believed marked the period of hia
conversion. His health was not vigorous when he jomed College ; but so
overpowering had been his religious feelings, and so much had he neglected
bodily exercise, that his physical system became so reduced as to render it
necessary for him, for a time at least, to give up his studies. This he did
in June, 1778, with little prospect of ever resuming them. He availed
himself of the first opportunity, after his return home, to connect himself
with the church in his native place. As his health began gradually to mend,
he determined to return to College, and to prosecute his studies with ulti«
mate reference to the mbistry. Accordingly, he did return in December
following, and resumed his place in his class ; but his health was still far
from being perfect, and in the succeeding April, (1774,) it had declined so
&r as to render it necessary that he should again suspend his studies and
return home. After this, his constitution seemed to recover its former
yigour ; and in July he again went back to College, and remained until his
oUm graduated, which was but a little more Aaa a month. Thus it appeftra
that his college course was not only brief, but repeatedly intexirupted.
• US. Aiitobl<Mmp]qr.-*lf8. from Ui Mm.— Paekud'a Hlitofy of tlM OhiMliff
la ftanklfa Oomiv*
Vol. m. 48
378 ' PBSSBYTEBUH.
Immediaielj after takisg hia Baobelor's degree, lie xetamed to London-
derry, and oommenoed the Btudy of Theology nnder the minister of the
pariah, the Rev. Bayid McOregore. He waa lioenaed to preaeh by the
Presbytery of Boston, June 1, 1776. Not long after his lioensnro, he
reoeived a oall to settle at Goleraino, Hampsliire County, Mass., the popn*
lation of which was made up, in a great measure, of emigrants from Ireland.
On the 6th of September, 1776, the Presbytery advised him to accept the
call from Coleriune ; and he accordingly did accept it, and was ordained and
installed Pastor of that Church, February 19, 1777.
Mr. Taggart, it would seem, was, in the early part of his ministry,
brought into a somewhat serious difficulty with his Presbytery. It was his
wish, at one time, to unite with the Associate Reformed Presbytery of New
York ; and he was actually holding some informal negotiations with them
on the subject, without consulting the Boston Presbytery, of which he was a
member ; whereupon, the latter body, regarding his conduct as irregular,
summoned him before them as an offender. A protracted discussion and
correspondence ensued, which resulted in his being dismissed on the 2A of
June, 1786, with a general recommendation. He afterwards joined the
Presbytery of Londonderry.
In the summer and autumn of 1802, he performed a missionary tour of
about three months and a half, under the Hampshire Missionary Society,
in the Western Counties of the State of New York. His manuscript journal,
which is still preserYed, shows that he was not only attentiye to hia appro-
priate duties as a missionary, but was observant of every thing in reapeot to
the general state of the country, that fell under his eye.
In the year 1808, Mr. Taggart was chosen to represent m Congress the
district in which he lived ; and he continued, by repeated re-elections, to
represent it, till the year 1817^ a period of fourteen years.
Mr. Taggart's frequent and protracted absences from his people, in the
discharge of his duties as member of Congress, served to loosen, in some
degree, the cord by which he was bound to them, and in October, 1818, he
asked leave of the Presbytery to resign his pastoral charge. The result of
the application is indicated by the following record of the Presbytery : —
*' The prospect of the Bev. Mr. Taggart*s support and usefulness among
the Church and people of Coleraine being, in our opinion, terminated, it is
expedient that his pastoral relation to them be dissolved, and it is dissolved
accordingly. We rejoice to find that, amid all the unhappy debates among
the people of Coleraine, they have still been united in maintaining their
esteem and respect for their pastor, against whose private and ministerial
deportment no oomplaint has arisen from any quarter. • • • • yf^
most cordially recommend him to the Christian public, as an eminently able
and faiihful minister of the Gospel of Christ.'*
After his dismission, he preached occasionally for the neighbouring minis-
ters, and sometimes in the parish where he had resigned his charge. He
preached and adminiatered the Lord's Supper there, but a few weeks pre-
vious to his death.
He died after an illness of a few days, April 26, 1826, m the seventy-
second year of his age« His Funeral Sermon was preached by the Bev.
Dr. Packard of Shelbume.
On the 6th of October, 1.778^ he was married to Bliiabeib, daughter of
George Duncan, of Peterborough, N. H. She died March 14, 1816. He
SAMUEL TAGGABT. 379
was manried to Hury Ayers, at Washington Oity, Maroh 26, 1816. By the
former marriage he had fourteen children, eleven of whom lived to maturity.
By the second marriage he had three children.
The following is a list of Mr. Taggart's publications: — ^A Treatise on the
Evidences of Ohristianity. An Oration on the death of Washington, 1800.
Scriptural Vindication of the doctrine of the Final Perseverance of all true
believers, 1801. An Oration delivered at Conway on the anniversary of
American Independence, 1804. A Sermon before the Hampshire Mission-
ary Society, 1807. An Address to the independent electors of the Hamp-
shire North District, 1811. Two Sermons delivered on the Public Fast,
1812. An Address to the author's Constituents on the subject of Impress-
ments, 1818. A Sermon delivered at Brattleborough at the ordination of
the Rev. Jonathan M'Gee, 1819. A Farewell Sermon at Oolerune, 1819.
FROM THE RET. THEOPHILUS PACKARD, Jb.
SHXLBVBirx, Mass., Jane 1, 1862.
Dear Sir: Though I was accustomed often to see and hear Mr. Taggart in my
early years, yet, in complying with your request, I shall depend less upon my
own recollections than upon the testimony of my &ther, who was his near
neighbour, and intimately associated with him during a large part of his minis-
try. My fkther is now tkr advanced ha life, but his recollections of his former
friend are perfectly distinct and intelligent.
There is no doubt that Mr. Taggart possessed a mind of great strength and
vigour. The few productions of his pen that remain, show that he was a bold,
earnest thinker, and that he possessed the reasoning faculty in an uncommon
degree. But I am inclined to think that the fiusulty for which he was most
remarkable was memory. In relation to names, dates, the ages of people, and
other thmgs of thst dass, his memory was truly wonderful. Though he visited
his people but little, and was not very fkmiliar with them, yet he could tell their
names and ages with surprising facility and accuracy. In large &miUes, he
would sometimes tell the exact dates of the births of the children, better than
the parents themselves. He told my fiither that, during one winter, while he was
in Congress, he wrote a series of Lectures on Sacred History, and that the first
two might be thought to be copies of Jamieson's on the same subject; but that
he had not read Jamieson for many years. He once said that he could not only
remember the names of aU who were members of Congress, during his own
membership of fourteen years, but could give a description of every one of
them.
He was a singularly absent minded man. He once rode on horseback from
Coleraine to Shelbume, and dismounted at the house of the minister, Rev.
Robert Hubbard, who met him, and seeing a large open pocket knifo in his hand,
said, — " Mr. Taggart, do you come armed for war ?'' Mr. Taggart was himself
surprised at the presence of the knife/ and explained by saying that, when he
started fh>m Coleraine, he cut a riding stick on the road, and was not aware that
he had not returned the knilb to his pocket, till reminded of it by Mr. Hubbard.
The distance that he had travelled was six miles.
The quality to which I have now referred made him remarkably inattentife
to little things, and sometimes also to matters of some importanoe. For
instance, no Records of the church, during his ministry, hsYe ever been found;
and the supposition that he never kept any, comports with his general haUts.
His church being invited on one occasion to attend by their pastor aqd delate a
ooumnl at Greenfield, he neglected to present the letter to the ehnroh, and
invited a neighbour, Mijor Chandler, who belonged to my UXhm^ ehnreb, to
880 PRBSBTTEBIAK. '
take him in his earriAge to the oooneil, and act as hia delegate. This was done.
My &ther, being on the same oonneil, obsenred that» when Mr. Taggart was
inquired of whether his ohorch had reoei?ed a letter missiYO and complied with
its request, he said he had received such a letter, and then was Major Chandler
who came with him. Nothing more was then said, and Major Chandler was
enrolled as a member of the council. When the council had a recess, my father
said to Mr. Taggart priratelj and humorously, " How came you to have one
of my church members as your delegate ?*' Mr. Taggart then Udd him the
whole stoiy, and the matter passed off pleasantly.
He possessed remarkable shrewdness, and would sometimes confound an
adrersary, or silence an evil speaker, by a single word. When he was on his
missionary tour in 1802, he lodged one night at a public house, not far firom
Albany. In the evening, a man fh>m Albany came in, and gave an account of
some rather striking event which had just occurred, accompanying his statement
with many pro&ne expressions. Mr. Taggart, after hearing him for some time,
turned to him and said, — " Sir, you are a stranger to me; but you appear to be
a person of intelligence and integrity, and I should be willing to take your word
without an oath, and I presume the rest of the company would likewise.'' The
man immediately apologized to Mr. T., and said that his mother had taught him
better, and that he was ashamed of himself for using such language, and
thanked the stranger for having reproved him.
Mr. Taggart's sermons were marked by vigorous thought, were extremely
methodical, and abounded in Scripture quotations. They were also rather
remarkable for their length. When about to preach to my fiither's people, on a
very cold day, and requested by him not to make his exercises very long, he
replied, — " I have no abort sermons." In his delivery, he lacked animation,
and was somewhat monotonous. He preached generally from short notes, but
he seemed to make little use of them.
Mr. Taggart is understood to have acquitted himself honourably as a member
of Congress, though his usefulness as a minister was no doubt essentially
impaired by his going into political lifb. A number of his speeches in Congress
were published, and excited very considerable attention. John Randolph, who
was with him in Congress, having been told that he was pastor of a church, said
to him with his characteristic keenness — *' With whom hast then left those few
sheep in the wilderness ?'' ( I Samuel xvit. 28.)
It is inscribed on his tombstone that **he had an amiable disposition, a dis-
cerning and well improved understanding, was an able divine, and preached the
Gospel with deUght, until a few days before he departed, as we trust, to be with
Christ.'*
Tours with respect and esteem,
T. PACKABD, Jm.
FROM THE RBT. SAMUEL WILLARD, D. D.
DBBmrmn, September 17, 1861.
Dear Sir: I cannot say that my acquaintance with the Rev. Mr. Taggart was
very intimate, and yet, whatever recollections of him I have, I take pleasure in
communicating to you. My first knowledge of him was at a meeting of the
Trustees of Um Deerfleld Academy, after which, I met him on several different
occasions, and had an opportunity of observing him, both in public and in
private.
In person, he was above the middle siae, thickly set, and in the Utter part of
his Ufb, considerably inclined to. corpulency; and his countenance, though expres-
sive of intdligenoe, mm marked f»ther by calm d%oi^ and sdidi^ than vivacify.
In eonversation he was f^ and agreeable, though I do not remember that he
SAMUEL TAGGABT. ggl
ever duooYwed rery strong emotion. Yoa got the impression th*t he W89 a
thoDghtfnl, sensihle msn, who considered well whst he said, and usually spoke
to good purpose. I heard him preach, so far as I recollect, but once, and that
was at Greenfield, on some special occasion. I remember to have been much
impressed by one peculiarity ,-^namely, that he preached with his eyes shut,
and prayed with them open. Ilis subject led him to the statement of various
statistical hcts and dates; and the accuracy and fluency which he exhibited,
without any paper before him, showed dther a very exact and ready memory,
or great care in preparing for the exercise. His voice was good for public speak-
ing, and his general manner was not otherwise than agreeable, though I thiiik
he had little or no gesture. lie could not be considered a dull speaker, nor yet
a very animated one. His Theology was the prevailing orthodoxy of New
Iingland.
Mr. Taggart, with strong powers of mind and good qualities of heart, was
nevertheless distinguished for some eccentricities. Judge Smith, of Exeter,
who was his esrly and intimate friend, related to me this anecdote concerning
him: — ^Immediately after his admission to Dartmouth OoUege, the acting Pro-
fessor of Divinity delivered a lecture specially designed for the class which had
then recently entered. During the delivery of the lecture, the Professor was not
a little annoyed by observing that young Taggart was busying himself in catch-"
ing flies; and, as soon as the exercise was over, he spoke to him with a good
deal of earnestness, and asked him what he had been doing. " Hearing your
lecture. Sir,'' — was the answer. Said the Professor, — " I think you have heard
very little of the lecture— let us hear what yon can tell of it.'' To the Profes-
sor's great astonishment, Taggart arose, and repeated no inconsiderable part
of it.
It is related of him, as an instance of what is called absence of mind, that,
wishing to consult a book which he knew to be in his neighbour's library, he
repaired to the house, and walked through a room in which a number of persons
were sitting, without observing them, and went into another room, and took the
book and carried it away with him. He was afterwards enquired of concerning
it, by the owner, and he was not aware of having taken it at all.
Th^re are many striking anecdotes extant concerning him, but the above are
all that I now remember.
Yours &ithfnlly,
SAMUEL WILLABD.
JAMES HALL, D. D *
1776—1826.
JAMES Hall was bom of Sootoh Irish parentage, at Oarlisle, Pa.^
August 22, 1744. When he was eight years old, the ftinily remove^J to
North Oarolina, and settled in the upper part of Rowan (now Iredell)
Oounty, within the bounds pf the congregation of which he afterwards
beoame the pastor. The oonntry was then neWj and for its religions privi-
leges depended chiefly on the labours of missionaries, who were sept thitber
by the Synods of New Tork and Philadelphia. Bot young Hall| beii^g
blessed with pions parents, early beoanie &miliar with the Bible >nd the
• Foote'f Enr«tflbM of N. 0.— Ifinlonaiy Jouiuili.
382 PRSSBYTERIAir/
Ai8embly*B OateohUm, and waa brooghi under a decided religiona inflaenoe.
His mind seema to liave been religionalj impressed from earlj ohildbood,
but it waa not till he had reached tiie age of abont twenty, that he made a
pnblic profession of religion. From the time that he beUeved himself the
subject of a spiritual renovation, he felt strongly inclined to the ministry
as a profession ; but the state of his father's family seemed to him, at the
time, to oppose an insurmountable obstacle to it, and he postponed the idea,
not, howeyer, without hope that Providence might yet open a way for the
accompUshment of his object. At the end of four years, he communicated
his wishes to his parents, and, contrary to his expectations, found them
entirely favourable to the project. About the same time, he entered into a
solemn covenant with Crod that he would devoto his life to the preaching of
thjo Gospel, if he might be qualified for it by a suitable education.
It was nearly a year after this before he was able to entor on his prepara-
toxy course of education, — the delay being occasioned cUefly by a dangerous
illness. During this period, an incident occurred, which was the occasion
of no small vexation to him, and which doubtless had an important influence
upon his subsequent life. He happened to meet at a wedding a young lady
of uncommon attractions, by whom he became greatly fascinated ; and,
without reflecting seriously on the probable bearings of such a stop on his
fature course, he rather hastily made to her proposals of marriage, which
were accepted. It occurred to 1dm, on further reflection, that the fulfilment of
the engagement into which he had thus incautiously entered with the young
lady, would at least greatly embarrass him in fulfilling the covenant into
which he had entered with his Qod, to devote himself to the ministry; and
the result of his reflections on the subject was, that he was thrown into a
stete, not only of deep solicitude, but of btense mental agony. He had an
interview with his female friend, shortly after, in which he made to her a
frank and fall stotement of his difficulties, in consequence of which they
mutually agreed that the engagement should not take effect. This was the
sum and substance of all that he ever had to do practically with the subject
of matrimony.
He was in his twenty-sixth year when he commenced the study of the
classics ; though he had previously formed a habit of dose mental applioa^
tion, by pursuing difiierent branches of study in connection with his labours
on the farm. At the age of seventeen, a Treatbe of Geometry fell in his
way, and he applied himself to it with great assiduity, until he had pretty
thoroughly mastered it. By help derived from the plates, he constructed a
quadrant with which he was accustomed to amuse himself, by measuring the
height of trees and the distances of objecte. He had always a passion for
mathematics, a good knowledge of which he considered as an indispensable
part of a thorough education.
. Having prepared himself for CoU^e, he entered at Princeton, and gra-
duated under President Witherspoon, in 1774, when he was in his
thirty-flrst year. He had a high, reputation in Oollege, especiaUy in the
exact sciences ; insomuoh that, soon after he graduated, Dr. Wilherspoon
expressed a desire that he should be retained in the Oollege as a teacher of
Maihematios. This proposal, however, he declined, on the ground that he
had sacredly devoted himself to the ministry of the Gh)spel, and could not
feel at liberty to make any engagemeiit that would even retard his entering
on this chosen vocation.
JAMSS HALL. 3^
He punned his theologioal studies under the direction of Dr« Withor-
spoon, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Orange, sbmetinio
between the meeting of the Synod in 1776 and 1776; the precise time
being now unknown. There was, at this time, a great demand for Presby-
terian mimsters in both North and South Carolina; and it was this circum-
stance particularly that determined Mr. Hall to take a shorter theological
course than would otherwbe have been desirable to him. Various congre-
gations immediately pressed him with inyitations to become their pastor ;
but he finally determined to settle in the neighbourhood in which most of
his early years had been passed. On the 8th of April, 1778, he was
installed Pastor of the united Oongregations of Fourth Creek, Concord,
and Bethany ; and as there is no record of his ordination, it is supposed to
haye taken place at the same time with his installation. He held the pas-
torship of these three congregations till the year 1790, when he was released
from his connection with Fourth Creek and Concord Congregations, that he
might have more time to devote to the cause of domestic missions. His
connection with the Bethany Congregation continued during the remainder
of his Ufe.
He was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the Col-
lege of which he was a graduate, and subsequently, in 1810, from the Uni-
versity of North Carolina.
Dr. Hall was far from being an indifferent or idle spectator of the scones
of the Revolution. His heart went frdly into the American cause, and he
declined no service, whether secular or sacred, by which he might hope to
promote it. He was accustomed to meet the people of his neighbourhood,
when they had assembled to discuss the political topics of the day, and set
forth to them their obligations as patriots, and make earnest and eloquent
and highly effective appeals to them in favour of the cause of freedom.
When South Carolina was overrun by the British forces under Comwallis,
he assembled his flock, addressed them with great fervour and pathos, and
called upon them to take up arms in defence of their friends and neigh-
bours, who were suffering such terrible wrongs at the hands of an invading
foe. A select company of cavalry was immediately organised, and, by gen-
eral consent, he was demanded for their leader, and actually accepted the
command. In 1779, he led them on an expedition into South Carolina, per-
forming the double office of Commander and Chaplain, and was absent for
several months. When it was necessary, at a subsequent period, for the
American forces to march into the Cherokee country, — (Georgia, to encoun-
ter the Indians, Dr. Hall accompanied the army in the capacity of Chap-
lain. During the expedition, which lasted about two months, he had but
one opportunity of preaching ; and, in honour of that first sermon in the
Indian territories, the adjacent country was named after the Chaplam, —
Hall County. After the skirmish at Cowansford on the Catawba, between
the forces of Comwallis and the North Carolina nulitia, he was selected by
General Greene as a suitable person to succeed General Davidson, who had
fallen in that skirmish, — in the office of Brigadier General ; and a commission
was actually offered to him. He declined it, however, on the ground Aat
others could fill that post, at least with as much advantage as himself, while
he had solemnly pledged hb life to the defence of the Gospel.
At the close of the Beyolutionary war, he found religion on every side in
an exceedingly decayed state, and die churches to a great extent a scene of
384 PRESBYTERIAN.
leeolation. He now B«t himaelfi witb all his energiefl, to repair the waste
places of Zion, to rostore the stated ordinanoes of the Gospel where they
had been discontinned, and to eleyate the standard of Ohristian feeling and
character. Hb efforts were instramental in bringing about an extensive
revival of religion in his own congregations, as the fruit of which eighty
persons were received to the Communion at one time, and sixty at anoUier.
Such was the severity of his labours that his health began seriously to
decline, and he developed some pulmonary tendencies that were thought to
be alarming. In consequence of this, and of the advice of physicians, he
resolved on trying the effect of a sea voyage ; and, accordingly, embarked
at Charleston, S. C, for Philadelphia. The effect was decidedly favoura-
ble, and the more so, it was supposed, from his having a long and boister*
ous passage. After attending the meeting of the Synod of New Tork and
Philadelphia, he returned home with invigorated health and spirits.
In the year 1798, he commenced his missionary excursions under the
direction of a Commission of Synod. These were numerous, involved great
sacrifices and hardships, and led to most important results. In the autumn
of 1800, under a commission of the General Assembly, he commenced a
mission to Natches, together with two other brethren whom the Synod had
appointed to accompany him. This was the first in the series of Protestant
missionary efforts in the lower part of the Valley of the Mississippi. The
report of this mission was made to the Synod of 1801, and a separate
account of it was published by Dr. Hall in the newspapers of the day,
which elcited a very general interest throughout the Southern country.
He was a Commissioner to the General Assembly at Philadelphia from
the Presbytery of Orange, sixteen times, and was Moderator of that body
in 1808. He attended all the meetings of the Synod of the Carolinas from
1788 to 1812, with a single exception, and was the last Moderator. The
Synod of North Carolina was then constituted, and hb attendance upon its
sessions was unintermitted, until the infirmities of age rendered it inconve-
nient to him to travel. His attendance on meetmgs of Presbytery was
equally punctual.
Dr. Hall performed very important services for the whole' Southern coun-
tryj by hu efforts in the cause of education. Very soon after he entered
the ministry, he was connected with a literary institution on Snow Creek,
in a neighbourhood that formed part of the Bethany Congregation. He
subsequently opened an ** Academy of the Sciences" at hb own house, of
which he was himself the sole Professor. Thb institution was oontbued
for many years, and was considered as the best scientific school in the State,
at that time. He formed a class of young people in hb congregation, to
meet him, once a week, to receive instruction in grammar; and, as tiiey
were unable to command the needful books, he wrote out a system of gram-
mar, and allowed hb class to take manuscript copies of it. It was
afterwards published and gained an extensive circulation. He ako con-
ducted the theological education of a large number of young men who
entered the minbtry, some of whom have sbce occupied stations of com-
manding influence in the Church. Several dbtingubhed statesmen of the
South also were indebted to him chiefly for their literary and sobntifio
trainbg.
In July, 1810^ Dr. Hall returned from the Anniversary of the Ameri-
can Bible Society, — an institution in which he felt the deepest interest, and
JAMBS HALL. 3gg
from ihe 8688ioiui of the General Assembly, for the last time. The last
seten years of his life were years of great weakness and dej^ression; and
not nnfreqnently his mind was enshronded in spiritnal gloom. He died on
the 25th of July, 1826, in the eighty-second year of his age, and his body
lies entombed in Bethany ohurch-yard.
Dr. Hall pnbliahed a Sermon on Proyerbs xiv, 84, preached at the open-
ing of a Coart in South Oarolina, and a Sermon preached at the ordination
of Mr. Samuel 0. Caldwell, as Pastor of Sugar Creek Church, 1792 : also
a Narrative of a most extraordinary work of Beligion in North Carolina,
1802 ; and a Report of a missionary tour through Mississippi and the South
Western Country.
FROM THE BEY. B. H. MOBRISON, D. D.
GoTTAGx Home, K. C, May 19, 1848.
Ber. and dear Brother: The request contained in your letter places me iu a
delicate position. I must either refbse to give my estimate of Dr. Hall's cha-
racter, and thus do yiolence to my feelings of veneration for an eminent servant
of Christ, or I must attempt what I feel incompetent to perform in a suitable
manner. I came into the ministry, when Dr. Hall's career of usefulness was
drawing to a close. Though my recollections of him are associated with many
solemn scenes of my youth, I was then unable to form a correct judgment of
his character. I am indebted chiefly to several of his venerable contemporaries
in the ministry, who survived him many years, and to the recollections of aged
Christians generally in the region where he resided, for my impressions in regard
to his qualities as a man, and his labours as a minister.
The most prominent trait of Dr. Hall's character was his devoted piety. This
appeared not only from his constant exemplification of all the moral virtues,
but from an entire and cheerM consecration of himself to the service of God.
It was evidently the great purpose of his life to do good to his fellow men. The
ministry of the Gospel was the work in which he most delighted, — a work, in
which no sacrifices were counted too painful, no labours too arduous. For about
forty years, his ministry was one glowing scene of untiring activity, and earnest
zeal to win souls to Christ. This part of the Church has witnessed no such
example of self-denied effort to diffuse the light and power of the Gospel as that
presented by the life of this venerable man.
When he remained at home, his labours were most abundant in behalf of his
people. His charge was composed of three churches, each of which has now its
own pastor. When he travelled, it was to proclaim the Gospel to the destitute.
He bora the messages of mercy from house to house. Christians wera instructed
and stimulated to their duty, and the careless wera admonished and exhorted in
the most affectionate and impressive manner. When he taught, it was to train
up ministera for the Church; and some of our most usefril and distinguished
clergymen enjoyed the privily of his instruction. When he led his neighboura
and trkfoda to Uie field of battle, it was in a conseientiotts defence of the libertiea
of his country; and when his services could be dispensed irith, he promptly
rafnsed the most flattermg offera of promotion in the army, and ratumed to his
chosen work.
In nearly all our churdies, precious memorials ara to be found of Dr. Hall,
as a warm and active friend of revivals of religion. During the dark period
whidh succeeded the American Bevolution, the churches belonging to his diaige
wera cheered with ooi^ous eff\isions of the Holy Spirit, and large numben gath-
ered into the Ibid of Christ. In January, 1802, we find hfm travelling to Ban-
dolph County with about forty of his people, to hail the approach of that mem-
7oL. m. 49
086 PBESBTTEBIAK.
orable work of God in the Soatheni States. From tlutt cbij, Ibr the next seYVi
years, bis voice was always heard, as that of a beloved and fiMudess leader in
the wonderful scenes of that deeply interesting work. However asefbl other
men may have been, all concede to him the hononr of having been the most effi-
dent champion of the truth, in a revival rendered dear to the Ohurch by the
conversion of thousands of souls. As he had no family, his circumstances per-
mitted him to travel more extensively than others, and he was perhaps better
qualified than any of his brethren for this particular kind of ministerial labour.
His preaching was distinguished for a dear, earnest and pungent exhibition
of the truths of God's word, accompanied, I doubt not, by a very confident and
humble reliance on the influences of the Holy Spirit to give it effect. His deep
experience in the Divine life qualified him, in an eminent degree, to be a atafe
guide to the inquiring and heavy laden sinner, as wdl as to resolve the doubts
and remove the perplexities of those who had indulged a hope in the Divine
mercy.
I was too young to be a witness to the most wonderM scenes of the revival
to which I have referred; but, as the camp-meetings connected with it continued
till about 1812, 1 recollect very distinctly my own impressions under J)t. Hall's
preaching. The recollection gives me sorrow, as certainly a recurrence to the
follies and stupidity of my youth ought to do. When other ministers preached,
I succeeded in preserving a good degree of indifference; but when Dr. Hall rose
to speak, his looks, and voice, and solemn manner, filled me with an indescri-
bable awe, and the most painful apprehensions. I dreaded the man, under a
painful impression that he was a powerM instrument in the hand of God, and
that I might be converted under his preaching. Another cause of my dismay
was the fact that his solemn and fervid manner generally awakened the bodily
exercises inddent to that day. It was no uncommon thing for persons to cry
out in distress, and plead aloud for mercy, or give thanks to God for their feel-
ings of Joy, and offbr audible supplications for their fiunilies and fiiends. I
looked upon such exerdses at the time with no small degree of terror, and was
reluctant to place myself in circumstances which would peculiarly expose me to
become a subject of them.
Dr. Hall was eminently a man of misdons. His heart was in the work of
spreading the Gospel, and his life was devoted to it. In addition to many short
excursions, he performed fourteen long and toilsome missionary tours, under the
direction of the General Assembly, or the Synod with which he was connected.
His Journals show that these tours were of the most laborious, fkithful and suo-
cessiul kind. He was not the man to be satisfied with passing Ofer the country,
and making appointments at those places only which seemed specially to invite
attention. He went in seardi of the destitute, and he found them. He vidted
fkmilies and neighbourhoods, catechised the youth, organised churches, and dr«
oulafed the Scriptures. He was often a member of the General Assemblyy and
th6 journeys Which he made on these occasions were signalised by a great amount
of ihithf ul missionaiy labour, and by the hopetbl conversion of many indiriduals
and even families. In short, wherever he was, he was always about his Mia^
ter's work; and, as his Master owned his labours in an eminent degree on earth,
there is no doubt that He has conferred upon him a glorious reward in Heaven.
If these few recollections and hnpresdons, in respect to a great and: good nuuii
diall avail, in any degree, to the olject you have in view, it will be^n ocqadoii
of real gratification, to me.
Yours truly 4 M, , : .^ ,,
B. si. JU>BBI8Qir»
▲BCmSALD SCOTT. 337
ARCHIBALD SCOTT *
1777—1799.
Abohibald Soott was a natiye of Scotland, who migrated in Ub boy*
hood, and alone, to the Oolony of Pennsylvania, about the year 1760.
Being poor and friendless, he was oast entirely upon his own resources.
He laboured for his livelihood in the field ; and it is said that whilst, during
the day, he followed the plough as a labourer for the wealthy furmers, he
perseveringly devoted a part of every night, and all his leisure hours, to the
acquisition of useful knowledge. So great was his love of learning that he
was accustomed to take his Latin Grammar — written in Latin — with him
into the field, and while his plough-team was resting or feeding, he would
open it, and busy himself in endeavouring to understand its contents ; and
even when he was following his plough, his mind was still occupied with his
grammar.
Dr. Cooper, a worthy physician in Pennsylvania, having been struck with
the remarkable aptitude for learning evinced by this young man, was instru-
mental of hb being introduced into the family and school of a Mr. Finley,
who had a high reputation as a teacher at that day. Here he enjoyed the
advantages of a thorough academical training, whilst he compensated for it,
in some measure, by working on the farm — an occupation of which he was
very fond, and which he pursued, as occasion offered, even after he entered
the ministry. During the period of his connection with Mr. Finley's school,
he joined the Presbyterian Church ; and it is believed that he now, for the
first time, made a public profession of reli^on. He began, about this time, to
have some thoughts of entering the ministry ; but several years must elapse
before this cherished idea could be realized.
Some time after quitting Mr. Finley's school, he migrated to the Yalley
of Virginia, in company with two of his friends, one of whom, — Mr. Bam-
sey, afterwards became his father-in-law. He was, for several years, a
student of Theology under the supervision of Principal Graham, of Liberty
Hall Academy, and, during this period, supported himself by teaching a
school. ' He was licensed to preach by die Hanover Presbytery, in Prince
Edward County, October 81, 1777 ; and was ordained and installed Pastor
of the united Churches of Hebron and Bethel, in Augusta County, in
December, 1778, — the Rev. William Graham and the Bev. James Waddd
officiating on the occasion.
Mr. Scott's charge was a very scattered one, comprehending s distridt
some twenty miles square, and of course his pastoral labours- were very
arduous. Like most of his brethren also, during the RevQiution, he. had h
very inadequate salary,— in consequence of which, he was obliged to oidti*
Tate a smaU fiurm to make out a support for his fiunily. But he ^eter suf-
fered anything to divert him from his appropriate duties as < a ^nkistevi
His great energy and unyielding perseverance, hiaglo^iiig. pa)riQii(lm.>nd
earnest piety, fitted him pre-eminently for the period .'in.whioh:ibB:ilir0d
He entered warmly into tiie Amerioan cause, and exhorted- bii.pleeplikio
fight for..fi«edom ; trnthe^felt' thai the ttoro important woriciilHiA'^^M^
•]C8.fiMiS«t. Ji»lmA.S«M.— Voote'fSkttolMtof Va. TdOwdm.^
^ FSiBSBTrBRUK.
upon him, waa to aMosi in laying deep the fonndationa of our Bepnblib on
religiona trath, and doing what he oonld, by batrnotion and example, to
prepare the rising generation to enjoy and preaerre oonstitntional liberty.
Mr. Soott attached much importanoe, and devoted much time, to the
oateohetical inatmotion of the yonug. Beaidea the " Shorter Catechiam"
whioh he need, he introdnoed what waa known aa ''The Mother's Gate-
chism,"-r-a work extending to thirty-two pages, octavo, (the Appendix of
which he wrote himself,) whioh he caosed to be printed under hia own
aupervision. It waa his praotice to assemble all the children and yoath of
his charge, in different neighbourhoods, on week-days, to attend to thia duty.
It was in this employment that he waa engaged on that memorable Saturday
of Jane, when the alarm of the approach of Colonel Tarleton and hia British
dragoons spread consternation from Staunton throughout the surrounding
Valley of Virginia. It is said that Mr. Soott, like his two neighbouring
brethren, Graham and Brown,* exhorted the stripling youths of his congre-
gation (their elder brethren were already with Washington) to arm them*
aelves, and go with their neighbours, who were rising up simultaneously
throughout the County of Augusta, to stand with their arms at Bock Fish
Gkp, on the Blue Bidge Mountains, to dispute the pass with the invader and
his legion. The next day, after prayers in the three congregations for the
Buccesa of the American arms, the old men and the striplings from the con-
gregations of Ghraham, Brown, and Scott, united with others, and met at
Book Fish Qap, to resist the inroads of the marauding horsemen. William
Oraham waa the master spirit; but he was heartily supported by Brown and
Scott, his co-preabytera, in the movement. It waa the recollection of this
scene, so recently enacted under the patriotic spirit of these three paatora
and their people, that gave occasion to those memorable words of General
Washington — '* If I should be beaten by the British forces, I will retreat
with my broken army to the Blue Bidge, and call the boys of West Augusta
around me, and there I will plant the flag of my country."
Mr. Scott continued the pastor of Bethel and Hebron for more than
twenty years, — the relation being dissolved by death. He died at his resi-
dence, a few miles South-west of Staunton, after a short illness, on the 4th
of March, 1790, leaving a widow and a large family of ohildren. His widow
died soon after, and the children were left orphans. But the eldest of his
daughtera (afterwards Mrs. McPheeters) assumed the headahip of the family,
and, by extraordinary energy and economy, auoceeded in educating her
younger brothers and sisters, all of whom became members of the Church,
• Jowi B|M>wv wu jntdvated at the OoUage of N«w Jenej in 1749 } wu UoeDted to wmUt
If th« PTMbytMy of Aewoiuttoi and in 1768 beouna Piator of tha drarahai of Timbar Bidca
andNawProTldanaa. In ttiadi?iaioaof the Chviab, whiohaxiatadaltlialdi^, hawtaof Sa
Naw Bida. Ha taachty fbr aoma tlma, a oalabcmtad MhooLwhioh alterwardi eama vndar tha
a«ra of 'tha Bar. Williain Graham,' and waa tha garm of Waihinaton Ooll^. In 1767; for
aoma laaaoo that ii not dafti^taly vndantood, ha ntijrnad tha ohaiva of tha Timbar Bldga 0«n-
grantlon^ aa4 aanfinad his lahonn to that of Now mridanoa. Li 1796, baiog w^ad doirn
Ij Iba In^rmitlaa of aga, ha lalinqniihad Naw ProTldente alao, and ramorad tplCanloeky, to
•pond Kliminainlng daya with hia ahildran. Ha diad at. Frankfort. In tha yaar ISOSTm hia
aaranW-ilfia Tear. Ha waa maniad to BCargarat, daoghtar of John Prm ton,— ban ia Iraland*
In 1780; W la^ cliatlnniahad fbr intaU^otoaf Tigoar and aa0ompliahmaati.-Hhrhb diad in 18M.
Thayhad'a^ran ahikbaii who ttvad to maturity. Qna of tha lOiia^ Mm, ifai a^ttndant a*
Pi;i|ioatoiiGaUagarwhaa tha^ inatttation waa brokail vpbytha Brltiih, baoama diatingniihad
ill elTll Ur^W waa a man^ of tha oU Ooagiaaiia 1^67 and 1788. iSSSii tfypTmUidm
H'y^.v!$!f*^'^^' ' ■ ■
Una. AnoUwr, /omat ]
ftom Lonldanaf fttN '
MlnistwtaFkaaiBa.
ii^i»9«M,gnid|ialad atFrinaatoiilal786;baaaaMapb7riflian, and diad aaff^r> la SMh Oaia-
Una. ABOlhar,/afliaf, waa an aminantUwyari waa amambar of tha VniMdStataa Sanato
ftom Looldattay fttm 1811 to 1817, and from 1819 to 18S4| and waaftr aaraialijaan^iMriaan
▲BGHIBALD SCOTT. ggg
as well as naefdl and excellent members of sooieij. Mr. Scott was buried
in the grave yard of the He1:)ron Ohuroh, and his memory is gratefnlly and
reyercDtly cherished by the children of those whose characters were moulded
by his influence. Many of his descendants are members, and several of
them are ministers, of the Presbyterian Church. His son, the Kev. William
N. Scott, still survives, (1856,) as the patriarch of the Winchester Presby-
tery ; and three of his sons have also entered the ministry, though one Of
them, — the llev. William C. Scott, after a brief but brilliant course, has been
called to his reward.
In person Mr. Scott was tall and manly — his features were prominent ;
his eyes large and blue ; his nose aquiline ; his hair rather light ; and his
skin slightly pitted by small-pox. He possessed a logical and discrimina-
ting mind, and was a strong, vigorous thinker — *' a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed." He was characteristically meek and humble, and had
a low estimate of his own performances ; but his preaching is said to have
been in a high degree instructive, and often eloquent and poweifal. He
exerted great influence in the community at large, while, by his own people,
he was regarded with an almost boundless esteem and veneration.
JAMES FRANCIS ARMSTRONG *
1777_1816.
Jambs Pbanois Abmstbono was of Irish extraction. He was a son
of Francis Armstrong, and was born at West Nottingham, Md., April 8,
1760. His father was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Ohurch in that
place. He received the elements of his education at Pequea, but was subse-
quently transferred to the celebrated school founded by the Rev. Samuel
Blair, at Fagg's ]Manor. The school, during his connection with it, was
under the care of the Eev. John Blair, a younger brother of its founder,
who was afterwards chosen Vice President and Professor of Theology in
Princeton OoUege.
In the autumn of 1771, Vr. Armstrong entered the Junior dass at
Princeton, and had the privilege of living in the family of the President,
Dr. Witherspoon. He graduated in the autumn of 1773 ; and, immediately
after, commenced a course of theological study under Dr. Witherspoon's
direction. On the 6th of June, 1776, he was received under the care of
the Presbytery of New Brunswick, as a candidate for the ministry. Having
passed his several examinations^ and sustained the trials assigned him, he
was to have been licensed at a meeting of the Presbytery appointed to be
held at Shrewsbury ; but this meeting was prevented by the mvasion of the
State by British troops; and, in the uncertainty of the future. Dr. Wither*
spoon certified the facts to the Presbytery of Newcastle, within whose
bounds were Mr. Armstrong's paternal church and home; and they adopted
him as their own candidate, and licensed him to preach, in January, 1777.
• HaU'f Fun. Semi, for Un. Ansf trong.— Mmray'i Hist, of BUnbethtowii.— MS. ftoa
Bov. I. y. Blown. >
SgO FttBSBTraSIAH.
. Thia was an exmting period of the Berdiiitioii. The Utde of Prineeton
took pkoft in that month, and the seat of war had advanoed to Philadelphia
and Delaware. Bven before hia lioenanre, hia patriotiam prompted him to
join a Yolnnteer company; but now he waa deairona of aerving hb oonntiy
more conaiatentlj aa a Chaplain to the army. With thia Tiew, he waa
ordamed by the Preabytery of Newoaatle, in January, 1778, and, on the
17th of Jidy following, waa appointed by Oongreaa " Chaplain of the Second
Brigade of the Maryland Foroea." Before that date, he had proceeded with
the army to the Southern campaign, and ia auppoaed to have remained in
the aervioe till the deciaive victory at Torktown. In the ezpoaorea of thia
campaign, he contracted a rheumatic diaeaae, which continued to the doae
of his Ufe, and waa attended, in hia latter yeara, with btenae auffering.
In June, 1782, Mr. Armatrong commenced preaching to the Church in
Eliiabethtown, N. J. On the 22d of Auguat following, he waa married by
Dr. Witherapoon, to Suaannah, daughter of Robert Jamea Livingaton.
Her mother waa a daughter of William Smith, an emineut lawyer, and Chief
Juatice of the Supreme Court of New York, and aiater of William Smith,
alao Chief Juatice of New Tork, and afterwarda of Canada, and author of
the Hiatory of New Tork. Mra. Livingston, after the death of her huaband,
removed with her family from the city of New York to Princeton, for the
sake of more conveniently educatbg her aona. Hence it waa at Princeton
that Mr. Armatrong waa married to her daughter. He continued to aupply
the pulpit at Eliaabethtown for nearly a year, when he waa compelled to
diacontinue hia laboura on account of an enfisebled atate of health, oocaaioned
by an attack of the meaalea.
The Bev. Dr. Elihu Spencer having died at Trenton at the doae of the
year 1784, Mr. Armatrong preached hia Funeral Sermon, and afterwards
frequently aupplied the vacant pulpit. On the 17th of October, 1785, a call
waa agreed upon by the Congregation, but, owing to some financial arrange-
menta necesaary to be made, it waa not formally accepted until April, 1787.
Meanwhile, however, Mr. Armatrong had taken up hia reaidence in Trenton,
and been received by the Presbytery of New Brunswick. The charge
included, beside the church in town, one a few miles distant in the country,
known in latter years aa '* Trenton First Church." He gave one third of
hia time to the country church, and the remainder to the one in town, till
April, 1787, when the former found a separate aupply, and the next year
the inconvenient partnership of the two congregationa waa legally diaaolved.
He then aerved the town church alone, (unleaa he may have given part of
hia time in the interval to Lawrenceville,) until September, 1790, when the
Lawrenceville Congregation called for half hia time ; and from that date
until 1806, he waa the joint paator, preaching at Trenton and Lawrence-
ville on alternate Sabbadia. But through much of thia period, he waa ao
diaabled for public effort by hia rheumatic diaeaae, tiiat both pulpita were
aupplied by the Preabytery.
In 1806, a new church waa built by the Trenton Congregation ; and, dur-
ing ita erection, Mr. Armatrong preached on every alternate Sabbath in the
Episcopal Church, the Rector then in office having a aecond charge at Bria-
tol. Pa., aa Mr. Armstrong had at Lawrenceville. Thia courteay grew out
of tiie habit of a large number of the two congregationa worahipping witii
each otiier, in tiieir reapective churches, when their own paator waa at the
otiier place. In 1816, Mr. Armatrong had an aaaiatant provided for him ;
JAKES. FBANGIS ARMSTRONG. £gx
for Iboiigh he was still able to go oot, and oooasiooally to enter the pulpit,
he was neter free from bodily suffering. It was in the smnmer of that year
that he performed his last public servioe. There was no reason to suppose,
at that time, that he might not be spared for years, and be able occasion-
ally to bear a part in the services of the sanctuary. On the Sabbath
referred to, his text was ** Wo is me, if I preach not the &ospel;'* and it
was noticed that the only Psalm used in the singing was the third part of
the seventy-first; the first half being sung at the beginning, and the remain-
der at the dose, of the devotional exercises. Nothing could have been
more appropriate to his circumstances, or more expressive of what seems to
have been the habitual temper of his mind. A few months after this brought
his sufferings to a close — he died on the 19th of January, 1816, in the sixty-
sixth year of his age, the thirty-eighth of his ministry, and (counting from
the date of his call) the thirty-first of his pastorship. The Sermon at hb
Funeral was preached by the Bev. Dr. Miller, Professor in the Theological
Seminary at Princeton.
Mr. ijrmstrong was the father of six children, five of whom survived him,
and three of whom still (1867,) survive. One of his daughters became the
wife of Chief Justice Ewing. One son, Robert LivingstoTit was graduated
at Princeton in 1802, settled as a lawyer at Woodbury, N. J., and died
September 22, 1888. Mrs. Armstrong died on the 18th of February, 1861,
in her ninety-third year. Dr. Hall, in a sermon preached on the occasion of
her death, says, — " This venerable lady was characterised, to the last day
of her life, by the dignity, yet gentleness, of her manners ; her considerate
and efficient benevolence ; the quiet, yet futhful, discharge of her social
and Christian duties."
FROM THE REV. ISAAC Y. BROWN
Tuvioir, 24th February, 1866.
My dear Sir : You ask for my recollections of my former neighbour and Mend,
the Rev. James F. Armstrong, of Trenton. I knew him intimately, and we were
in the habit of frequently exchanging visits. He was an exceedingly interesting
companion, fUll of intell^enoe and anecdote, frequently referring to past events
and thrilling scenes, in many of which he had been personally interested. My
recollections of him are very grateful, and I am happy to do any thing that may
help to honour and perpetuate his memory.
He was by nature, — the evidences of it being very decisive, even in inBrmity
and old age, — a person of much ardour, activity, and decision. The interests
of letters and of religion were, more than any thing else, impressive and absorb-
ing with him. He was a highly acceptable preacher, and, had his health
remained firm, I have no doubt that he would have been eloquent and attrac-
tive in the pulpit, far beyond most of his contemporaries. No man was more
constant and untiring in his attendance on the judicatories of the Church, from
the General Assembly down to his own Session; and he was always a vigilant,
active and efficient member. He was equally exemplary in his attendance on
other public bodies, especially the Board of Trustees of Princeton College, —
in the welfare of which institution he always took the wannest interest.
Mr. Armstrong, in his personal appearance, was noble and striking, even in
ruins. He had a princely, generous spirit, which always answered quickly to
the claims of human wretchedness. Hospitality reigned in his heart and in his
house. His noble partner in the cares of life manifested a cordial interest in
the cause to which he was devoted, corresponding with his own. The some
392 FRESBTTEKIAir.
spirit hM deaoended to his ezoeHent BomTing danghten, and is irisiUe eten fift
the generation following them^ throng the line of a deceased sister, who has left
fonr children distingoished for nsefhlness in the different walks of life.
Mr. Armstrong had, in Tsrioas ways, a dedsife inflaenoe in advancing the
prosperity of this place of his residence; and many of our citiiens who still
snryiye, retain grateful and Ti?id recollections of him. By his marriage,
he became connected with one of the most distinguished fiunilies in the State of
New Tork; and, in addition to this, he was the intimate friend and associate of
a noUe company of patriots, scholars, and Obristians, in this State; such as
General John Beatty of the Bevolntion, Colonel John Bayard, Dr. Boudinot,
Judge Patterson, Dr. Samuel Stanhope Smith, Dr. McWhorter, Dr. WoodhuU,
and others, in whose society he moved as an ornamental and animating element.
It was interesting to observe how the celebrations of the Cincinnati and other
kindred Societiesi-r-while they furnished an opportunity of reviving his old asso-
datioDS, and renewing bis intercourse with many of his old friends, served also
to quicken his patriotic seal, and work up hie spirit to the tone of other days.
When, by reason of his infirmity, he was not able to sustain himself in a long
march through the streets, I have given him my arm to prevent his fiJling by
the way. And having a little of the old 76 spirit myself, it afforded me great
pleasure to mingle with such groups, to hear their exciting speeches and music,
and to partake of their hospitality.
I am, dear Sir, most respectihlly yours,
ISAAC V. BROWN.
SAMUEL DOAK, D. D *
1777—1880.
Samubl Doak was a son of Samuel and Jane (Mitohel ) Doak, who
emigrated, when they were very young, from the North of Ireland, and
settled in Chester County, Pa.; but, soon after their marriage, removed to
Yii^nia, and took up their residence in Augusta County, within the bounds
of the New Providence Congregation. They were both members of the
Presbyterian Church at the time of their marriage, and belonged to that
division of it that was known as the Old Bide. It was in August, 1740,
after their settlement in Virginia, that their son Samuel was bom. He
remained at home, labouring upon his father's £&rm, till he was sixteen
years old. lie then made a profession of religion, and shortly after com*
menoed a oourse of clussical study in a grammar sohool, in the neighbour-
hood of his father's house, kept by a Mr. Alexander. This sohool, after a
while, passed into other hands, and was remored to another place; and,
subsequently, it underwent other changes still, until it finally grew into the
institution which is now known as Washington College, in Lexington, Ya.
Such was his desire for an education that he proposed to reUnquish his share
of the patrimonial inheritance to his brothers, in order to obtain it. His
father j for a time, dissuaded him from the attempt; but, observing that it
threw him into a discontented and melancholy mood, he determined to
gratify hb wishes. His funds were low, and he clubbed with another simi-
larly situated, erected a hut near the school hcruse, lodged and boarded
•H88. frem Br. J. G. H. Bsiascy and Ber. 8. W. Boak, B. B.
SAMUEL DOAK. 393
Idmaelf, uid beoame at lengtli aaaistaiit teiMher, and thuB aoqiiir«d thd meims
of defraying the expenses of his college coarse.
In October, 1778, young Doak entered the College of New Jersey, two
years in advance, and in 1776 was admitted to the degree of Bachelor of
Arts. He was subsequently, for a short time, an assistant teacher in the
school of the Rev. Robert Smith of Fequea, Pa., and commenced the study
of Theology under his direction. On his return to Virginia, he was married
to Bsther H. Montgomery, sister of the Rev. John Montgomery,* whoso
family belonged to New Providence. Shortly after this, he accepted the
office of Tutor in the then new College of Hampden Sidney, which had
been established by the Rev. Samuel Stanhope Smith. Here he renudned
about two years, pursuing the study of Theology under the Rev. John
Blair Smith, President of the College ; and afterwards continued his studies
for some time, under the Rev. William Graham, at Timber Ridge. He was
licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of Hanover, on the 81st of
October, 1777 ; and having preached for some time iu Washington County,
Ya., he removed to the Holston settlement, in what was then a part of North
Carolina, but now a part of East Tennessee. Here he found the means
of subsistence, especially meal, extremely scarce ; and he was obliged to go
thirty miles back in the direction of Abingdon, for supplies. On one occa-
sion during his absence, the Cherokees, then in a state of hostility towards
tiie whites, came near his cabin ; and Mrs. Doak, apprized by the barking
of the dogs, of their approach, retired stealthily to the woods with her
infant asleep in her arms. From her hiding place she saw several of them
enter the door, carry out a portion of the furniture, and then set fire to the
building, and retreat with their plunder. She considered it a remarkable
providence that her child did not awake ; for if it had, the novelty of the
passing scene would have produced flight and crying, and would thus have
betrayed their place of concealment, and both the mother and ohUd would
have become victims to Indian barbarity. After the departure of the
Indians, she went, by a blind path, ten mUes to the nearest station, where
she met, the next day, with her husband. Preaching one Sabbath on the
frontier, a panic was produced by a messenger riding hastily up, and
exclaiming ** Indians, Indians, — Rogdale's family are murdered." Mr.
Doak stopped abiiiptiy in his discourse, referred to the case of the Israelites
in similar danger, offered a short prayer that the God of Israel would go
with them against these Canaanitish heathen,— called for the men to follow
him, and taking his rifle, led his male hearers to the pursuit. At another
time, after he had commenced teaching at Salem, and while his class was
reciting, a similar alarm was given; and he immediately dismissed his
school, and repaired with his students to the camp of General Sevier.
Mr. Doak was a member of the Convention of 1784, that formed the
constitution of the ancient Commonwealth of Franklin; and tradition
ascribes to him the paternity of a clause in the rejected constitution, making
• JoHir HomaovsBT wm mdiiAted at the CoUage of New Jnaev in 1775; wtt UoMuod to
pfoaeh bj the Preibvtoiy of HiuioTer, Oetober 28, 1778 1 wm ordalnod April 37, 1780 ; Moqitad
» oftU in Oetober 1781 firom Wincheiter, Cedar Grcek, and Opeegaon, and after ipending afew
yean here, reeined hie ehaige in 1789, and took up hie residenoe in ** the Paitarcf,'' Aotofltay
where he had inherited property. Here he remained dnring the reet of liii Ufe. Prerioiu to
hie ordination, he wafaeeodatcd with Mr. Graham in ^e infirnotf on of Liberty Hall. He was
an amiable man, a popular nreaeher, and a food loholar. Bnring the latter part of hii life>
hie ministcy wag intempted oj bodily inflnnitles.
Vol m. 50
i394 FBXtSBTraBIAir.
preyiBton fevaUnivenUyr^-reqairmg' the Ij^gisktiira to-eieot it before* the
year 1787, and to endow it lilierally.
• • After residing at the Hdaton settlement a year or two, he remoYed
in the hope of finding a more promising field of nsefolness, to the settle-
ment on Little Limestone, in Washington County, and there porohased a
farm, on whioh he bnilt a log house for purposes of eduoation, and a small
ohuroh edifioe, and founded a eongregation known as the " Salem Congrega-
tion." The literary institution whioh he here established, was the first that
was ever established in the great Valley of the Mississippi : in 1785 it was
incorporated by the Legislature of North Carolina, under the name of
*' Martin Academy;" and in 1795, it became ** Washington College."
From its ineorporation as an Academy till the year 1818, Mr. Doak con-
tinued to preside over it ; and the elders of his congregation formed a part
of the Board of Trustees. While he was attending a meeting of the Gene-
ral Assembly at Philadelphia, he received a donation of classical books for
his infant institution, which he carried in a sack upon a pack horse, five
hundred miles ; and this constituted the nucleus of the library of the pre-
sent Washington College.
Having orgamaed a number of churches in the county in which he lived,
also at Bethel and Timber Ridge, in Oreen County, he resigned the Presi-
dency of the College in the year 1818, and was succeeded in the office by
his son, the Bev. John M. Doak, M. D. He now removed to Bethel, where
he opened a private school, which he called Tusculum Academy, and which,
under his son, the £ev. Samuel W. Doak, D. D^ has since grown into a
46urishing College. He was honoured with the degree of Doctor of
Divinity from both Washington and Greenville Colleges, in 1818. At
Bethel he passed the residue of his life, in honour and usefulness, and died
in his eighty-second year, on the 12th of December, 1880. The most res-
pectful notice of his death was taken by his former pupils in Washington
College, in a series of Resolutions, testifying their gratitude for his services,
and dieir veneration for his memory.
Dr. Doak*8 ministry was attended with no small success. Several
powerful revivals of religion oocurred in connection with it, from the fruits
of which proceeded a number of lealous and efficient preachers of the
Gospel.
Dr. Desk's first wife died on the 8d of July, 1807. He was afterwards
married to Margaretta H. McEwen, who died September 22, 1881. He had
five children,— all by the first marriage. The eldest soui Jokn White'
field, was bom, October 18, 1788 ; was educated by his &ther ; was
licensed to preach by the Abingdon Presbytery, when he was in his nine-
teenth year, and shortly after was ordained and installed pastor of New
Dublin and Wythville Churches, in Yirginia. He was subsequently Pastor
of Mount Bethel and Providence Churches, in Tennessee. In tiie year
1809, he was installed Pastor of the Church in Frankfort, Pa. In eonse-
quence of the &ilure of his health, which rendered it doubtful whether he
would be able to continue in the ministry, he studied medicine, returned to
Tennessee, and beoame a very successful medical practitioner, and at the
same time officiated as a stated supply of Salem and Leesburg Ohurohcts.
He died on the 6th of October, 1820. He was distinguished. for his talents
and. usefulness. Dr. Doak's other son, the Rev. Samuel W. Doak^ D.D.,
is now (1857) the President of Tusculum College, Tenn.
SAMUEL DOAK.
iBdS
FROM J. G. M. RAMSEY, K. B.
▲I7TH0E or THi "ahhau Off nvrassu.^
Ueotlmmbvbq, near Knoxyille, Tenn., Korember 21, 1849.
Mj dear Sir: It costs me no effort to comply with your request for my remin-
iscences of the yenerable Dr. Samuel Doak, my early friend and teacher. His
name is assodated with some of my most cherished and grateful recollections, as
veil as with the progress of knowledge and religion in East Tennessee, from its
first settlement to the period of his death.
Dr. Doak, if my memory serves me, was somewhat aboye the middle stature,
had a lai^ muscular frame, well formed, and in later life a little inclined to
corpulency,— full chest, wide shoulders, and short neck, indicating a strong ten-
dency to apoplexy,— of which indeed he died. His appearance was grave and
commanding; his yoioe stentorian to the extreme, and any thing but melodious;
his eye deep blue, not entu^ly lustreless, but yet indicating little of passion or
genius. The whole countenance expressed strong intellect, manly good sense,
calm dignity, and indomitable firmness.
His habits were those of the student, teacher, and divine. The amount of his
reading in the latter part of his life was small; that of his thinking immensely
great. Though naturally very social and friendly, he spent little of his time in
conversation, and none of it in conviviality. The very fragments of time he
sacredly appropriated to preparation for the pulpit, and to his Presidential
duties. The entertainment of his guests (except such as were clerical and pro-
fessional) devolved upon other members of his family. When out of Ooll^, his
whole time was spent in his study. There, reclining at his ease in an arm-
chair, his head bending backwards, his eyes generally dosed,— almost entirely
abstracted from the world without, he cultivated the powers within, and pre-
pared that rich intellectual and moral aliment, which it was at once his duty
and his pleasure to impart to his class and his congregation. In the redtation
room, his posture was nearly the same. Two or more dasses, in the languages
especially, would sometimes be reciting to him at once; and his practised ear
seldom faUed to detect an error. His fidelity as a teacher is beyond all praise.
The students of Washington College, under his Presidency, were not, as is com-
mon in most similar institutions, subdivided into Freshman, Sophomore, Junior
and Senior classes; but eadi pupil studied, and learned, and disdplined his mind|
for himself. One brilliant genius, one diligent student, could not, under this sys-
tem, act as a iferry-man for the whole dass, and carry over the incompetent
or the indolent. Each one was permitted, without artificial restraint, to make as
rapid progress in bis studies as his mdustry or his abilities enabled him to do.
The acquisition of knowledge,— mere literary attainment, was not the sole or
even primaiy object of Dr. Doak's instruction— it was mental disdpline— it was
to tram the intellect,— to teach the young man how to think,— to think accuratdy
and profoundly,— to thmk for himself, and to beget a spirit of manly reliance
upon his own powers of independent investigation and vigorous thought.
•• Nullius addictus jurare in verba,** he inculcated as a favourite maxim; and his
stem rebuke was never withheld from the exhibition of a blind subserviency to
popular sentiment or antiquated usage.
As one instance of his indefatigable application to sdentifio and literary pur-
suits, I may mention that, though a tall son of Princeton, in some of its palmiest
days, he had learned little of Chemistry, and nothing of theHebrew language
at that ancient seat of learning. But, at the age of sixty^fivche commenced
his chemical studies, and, though entirely self taught^ he was soon wdl qualified
to teach the sdenoe to others. About the same time, he eommenoed the study of
Hebrew, and very soon was able, to teach it; and the dass which he gnuliiated
896 PBESBTTEBIAK.
in 1815} w«re examined upon that language publiolj beibre an admiriog audience,
—the fknt ease of the kind that ever oconned in T^nneseee. He read the
ancient works on Theology in the laoguagee in which thej were originally written:
OalTin'e Inatitutea in Latin he always pUced in the hands of his theological
students; and the Presbytery usually confided to him the Latin ezigeses of pro-
bationers for the ministry. He had a passion, — ^not a taste, but a passion^^for
philology. He taught the languages to the last; and when the apoplectic
tenden<7 was upon him, his discourse to those around his dying bed, thou^
incoherent, was in good Latin.
ChmmenumlnU was the only gala-day in the year with Dr. Doak. On that
occasion, he wore his antique wig, his shorts, and his old fashioned shoes: the
muscles of his stem brow were relaxed, and he gaye himself up to an unusual
urbanity and kindliness of manner. He was still grays, — still dignified and yen-
erable; but there was an air of self-complacency,— of benignity blended with
conscious self-consequence, which he exhibited on no other occasion. His pos-
ture was erect; his moyements less ungracefhl; his manner calm and most
respeotfhl. His Board of Trustees, who were indeed his Faculty, were seated
upon plain benches near and around his chair. The candidates for the Academic
honours approached him deferentially, slowly, modestly, and with filial regard
and consideration bowed to him. Returning the salutation, the old President
arose, and holding the diploma in one hand, said in a solemn and impressiye
tone of yoice, and with a paternal pride and solicitude in his eye, — '* Prases et
Ouratores Washingtoniensis GoUegii," &c. The scene was deeply interesting and
impifessiye, and was neyer forgotten by a graduate.
The osior luAendi that so much characterises our countrymen and our age,
and the belittling influences of which are unhappily sometimes seen in ecclesi-
astics, and other learned men, degrading the noble powers of the intellect down
to the groyelling pursuits of mammon, was not eyen an emotion,-— &r less a
passion, with Dr. Doak. He rose above it, and eyen in old age, when ayarice
sometimes gets in the ascendant, he considered the acquisition of wealth for its
own sake as ignoble and disparaging. His tuition fee was five dollars a session
of flye months; and in this was included the use of the college library, and
other fiusilities of instruction. His habits were flrugal; his hospitality, though
not elegant, was better— it was unpretending and cordial. The primitiye sim-
plicity of early times in the West, and of frontier life, was exhibited upon his
fiurm, in his house, in his dress, and in his intercourse with the world. When a
young man, the condition of tilings around him created a necessity of partici-
pating actively in the settlement and defence of the country, and in its dvil and
political affairs. He always voted ; and the consideration in which he was held by
the people, generally allowed him to open the polls, — ^in other words, to vote first.
As a minister of the Gospel, I hardly need say that his praise was in all our
churches. He may well be considered the first apostle of Presbyterianism in
Tennessee. No one has been more successful in training up young men for the
ministry. The pupils of his charity are lifting up their yoices in the abodes of
refinement and ctvilisatidn, and in the recesses of the wilderness. His style of
preaching was original, bold,. pungent, and sometimes pathetic. His delivery
was natural and impressive, and well fitted to give effect to the truths which he
uttered. It is a remarkable fact that he was a subject of that far-femed pbys-
iological phenomenon, — the '* JStereiss," or **/«rikf," that preyaQed so exten-
sively in the Western country, about the beginning of this century. He haj
cautioned his people against it, privately and from the pulpit. He took it while
preaching. He alluded to it afterwards, when lecturing to his classes; said he
could not exphdn it satisflustorily , and called it " ih4 Hrangi work of €fad.**
On the whole, I think it may safely be allirmed that Dr. Doak was among the
most uaeftil men of the period in which he liyed. His influence in the propaga
SAMUEL DOAK. 397
tion of Ghii8tianity» and eepedallj in the extension of the PreBbTterian Ohnrch,
in the West, it is not easy to estimate; while his students, in the early days of
Tennessee, filled all the learned professions, and were idmost the only teachers,
for several years, in the infant settlements of the West and South-west.
The portrait of Dr. Doak is preserved in the library of Washington College.
The contour of his face bears a strong resemblance to that of John Knox; and
the strong points of character in the two men were strikingly similar.
I am, dear Sir,
Very respectfully yours,
J. G. H. BAMSET.
JOHN BLAIR SMITH, D. D *
1778—1799.
John Blaib Shith was the fourth son of the Rev. Robert Smith,
D. D., and was born at Peqnea, Lancaster County, Pa., June 12, 1766.
He received his name from a maternal uncle, — his mother being a sister of
the Rev. Messrs. Samuel and John Blair. In very early life, he evinced a
great thirst for knowledge, and an uncommon facility at acquiring it. At
the age of fourteen, he became, under the most watchful and faithful parental
training, hopefully a subject of renewing grace ; and at sixteen was admit-
ted to the Junior class in the College of New Jersey. During his whole
college course, though he was naturally of a cheerful and social turn, his
conduct as a Christian was always worthy of his profession, and his improve-
ment in the various branches of study worthy of his acknowledged talents,
and answerable to the high hopes which his earlier developments had
awakened. He was graduated under Dr. Witherspoon in 1778, and was
one of a class of twenty-nine, fourteen of whom became ministers of the
Gospel, and three Qovemors of States.
An elder brother, Samuel Stanhope Smith, having become the head of
the rising institution in Prince Edward County, Ya., under the care of the
Presbytery of Hanover, and also in 1776 been installed pastor of the
Churches of Cumberland and Briery in Prince Edward, — the subject of
this notice went, at his suggestion, m the early part of 1776, to join his
brother as an assistant teacher, and at the same time to prosecute his the-
ological studies under his direction. Having previously joined the Newcas-
tle Presbytery, he transferred hb relation from that to the Presbytery of
Hanover on the 18th of June, 1777 ; and having gone through his oeveral
trials, was licensed to preach by the latter Body, at Tinkling Spring, on the
29tb of April, 1778. He was ordained by the same Presbytery at Prince
Edward Court House, on the 26th of October, 1779. At the same meet-
ing of Presbytery, (October 28,) his brother, having reoeived an invita-
tion to the chair of Moral Philosophy in the College of New Jersey, asked
leave to resign the Presidency of Hampden Sidney College, and iJso his
pastoral ohaxge; both which requests were granted. John Blair Smith' was
•Auemb. Hi«. Mag., 1806.— Voote*t BMOm of Ya., lit SmIm.— Life of Bor. Dr. Ash-
bdl GroMi.— MBS. tarn AnhltMOd AUjaadm, B. 1>.» and Wflliam HIIl^ D. D.
398 FiXetsttiBiAir.
inanediateiy appointed io sucoedd Idm as President of the OoUege; and in
the eprii^ of llie next year,* C^780,) he became his snooesabr alao in the
pastoral office.
About thiB time Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daogh-
ter of Colonel John Nash, of Templeton, Prince Edward County, — a lady
distinguished alike for her accomplishments and her piety. They had six
children, — ^five sons and one daughter. One of the sons, (Robert,) entered
the ministry, and for some time served the Church in Snow Hill, Md.,
where he died in 1824.
Though Mr. Smith, from the time he appeared in the pulpit, attracted much
attention as a preacher, yet he was by no means at first so popular as his
brother who had preceded him : before he left the State, however, he is said
to have been at once more attractive and powerful than any other clergy-
man in Virginia from the time of Samuel Davies. But the earlier years of
his ministry were much less distinguished for seal and activity than those
that followed. The times were roost adverse to the progress of religion,
and the success of ministerial labour. The State, and that very part of it,
had been invaded by the British ; and the minds of the people were occu-
pied chiefly about their own safety, and their country's independence. Mr.
Smith was an earnest patriot, and withal was a man of great activity and
courage. The College suffered much in consequence of the war. Its
resources were exhausted ; and the youth who should have been pursuing
their classical studios were hurried off to the army.
After the Peace, it was some time* before religion and literature began to
revive. The Methodists, about thb time, began to pass through Virginia,
and by their great seal attracted no inconsiderable attention. In some
places the members of the Presbyterian Church were induced in consider-
able numbers to join their Society. About the year 1786 or 1787, they
came within the bounds of Mr. Smith's congregations, and were probably
the means (so says Dr. Alexander) of giving a fresh impulse to both his
religious feelings and his public ministrations. Instead of condenming what
in &em he disapproved, he endeavoured to imitate what he considered
praiseworthy ; and from this time he exhibited a degree of ardour, which
had never been witnessed in him before. He preached with a power and
frequency which, by the Divine blessing, soon began to produce viable
effects. An extensive revival of religion ensued, which spread through the
College, and the whole adjacent country. Mr. Smith entered into the work
with such glowing seal, and his preaching was so eloquent and powerful,
that' he was contmually urged to extend his labours, and to places more
an^ vikote remote from hb residence. By this means, he was so often called
away from the College, that some of his friends thought that he was less
attentive to his duties there than could be desired; and this was felt the
more, as the institution, being without funds, depended for its support on
the fees of the studentii. ' He himself also was of the opinion that his first
duty was to preach th^ Gospel; and as there seemed to lie oii every side a
great demand for pfeaohingK he determined to resign hik office ais Preddeni
of the College, and give himself whWy to the apj^rppriate. work of a min-
ister. This resolution he Carried into effect in the year iVSO ; aiid,'' at' t&e
same time, bought a small fiyftai^ ih the lieighbourhbdd'bf the Colle^, and
went to Uve iqpon it.
JOHN BLAIB SMITH. 399
Bat Ur. Smith's own odngregttioiM b^gan at length to fed that his
numerons engagementi a/blroad were hardly compatible with a proper atten-
tion to his pastoral duties at home. Meanwhile, owing to a great lack of
domesdo economy, he had become not a little embarrassed in his financial
concerns ; and the salary which he received from his congregations was not
sufficient to meet the current expenses of his family. These circumstances
prepared the way for his removal to another field of labour.
In April, 1791, he was appointed by his Presbytery one of the Commis-
sioners to attend the General Assembly at Philadelphia. During the meet-
ing of the Assembly, he was invited to preach in the Third, or Pine Street,
Presbyterian Church, which was then vacant, and looking out for a pastor.
So acceptable was his preaching that the congregation were called together,
and made out a unanimous call for him, before he left the city, which he
conditionally agreed to accept. When the circumstance became known to
his own people, who regarded him with an affection amounting almost to
idolatry, — they were greatly distressed, and threw every obstacle they could
in the way of his removal ; but they found it impossible to divert him from
his purpose. He accordingly resigned his pastoral charge, removed to
Philadelphia in the autumn following, and was. installed over his new charge
in December.
Shortly after Mr. Smith's settlement in Philadelphia, he became a mem-
ber of an Association consisting of several of the most prominent clergymen
of the city, designed to prevent the spread of infidel principles through the
medium of certain newspapers. One article of his at least, over the signa-
ture of A. B., was published in a newspaper, which was followed by a pam-
phlet from Dr. Ashbel Green, full of scathing satire, that terminated the
controversy, and, fbr the time being, arrested the evil.
In 1795, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the
College of New Jersey. In the same year. Union College, at Schenectady,
N. Y., was founded ; and Dr. Smith was chosen its President. He accepted
the appointment, and for three years presided over the infant institution
with great credit and success. He then returned to his former charge in
Philadelphia, and was formally reinstated among them in May, 1799.
The following extract of a letter from Dr. Smith to Major Morton, of
Prince Edward County, Ya., which is in my possession, discloses the reason
of this last change : —
*' I suppose, that my return to my former charge in Philadelphia will
excite some surprise amongst my friends. However, it can be explained
upon a very natural principle, without ascribing it to fickleness of mind.
It is simply because I prefer being Pastor of a Congregation before being
President of a College, and think myself better qualified for the former than
the latter; and because I have regained that health and strength, the want
of which only prevented me from staying in Philadelphia when I was there.
It is true that I shall run a great risk in the present circumstances and
prospects of the city ; but it is equally true that my post wbuld have been
there, and I should have had my chance with theoUier citiiens, if the want
of health had not compelled me to remove. •
M The Xsustees of: ihe College have aooepted t my teBignatioMtt^ *• ttaaner
▼ery i^a^ectfnl* tO/.mei and have directed that .aqf: portrait be' tsheir and
preaerved^in•4k«ir HdL • ^Shey iiisial'«p€Vi my staying ,tiitift«<ttb^^Ointt«
mencement^ next Mayi though I Wish to go about the Ikiguiti&ig^^'Aiiri^^
400 PBSSBYTEBIAH.
On his retarn to Philadelphia, he was cordially greeted, not only by his
own congregation, who had parted with him moat relootantly, but by a large
portion of the intelligent and excellent people of the city. But their joy
was destined soon to be tamed into mourning. About the middle of August,
he was attacked by the yellow fever, and died on the 22d of the month,-—
one of the first yiotims of that terrible pestilence. He died in perfect traa«
quillUy, — in a manner worthy of his Christian life and his Christian hopes.
A Sermon was preached on the occasion of his death by his relative, the
Hev. Dr. Samuel Blair.
Dr. Smith's only acknowledged publication was a Sermon entitled ** The
enlargement of Christ's Kingdom, the object of a Christian's prayers and
exertions," — delivered in the Dutch Church' in Albany before the North-
em Missionary Society in the State of New York, 1797.
FROM THE BEY. WILLIAM HILL, D. D.
WiiroRssKUt, Ya., June 16, 1848.
Bev. and dear Sir: My opportunities of acquaintance with Dr. John Blair
Smith were confined to the period of his residence in Yirginia — the period, how-
ever, in which he performed his greatest work, and earned his brightest laurels.
I was a student at Hampden Sidney Coll^, while he was its President; and,
owing to some peculiar circumstances, was brought into nearer rektions with
him than were almost any of my college cotemporaries. I had an opportunity
of marking his whole course firom that time until he left the State.
My most interesting recollections of him have respect to the great Revival of
religion that commenced in Hampden Sidney College in 1787, which was instrn-
mentally sustained and carried forward chiefly by his efforts. Though he had
always been an earnest and eloquent preacher, the commencement of that revival
evidently gave a fresh impulse to his spirit, and a greatly increased fervour and
power to his ministrations. He showed, from the Ycry beginning, that his heart
was in it, and that nothing that it was in his power to do for its promotion would
be omitted. The most violent opposition was raised against it by a large part of
the college students, and those who were known to be in an anxious state of mind
were derided as miserable fanatics; but Dr. Smith imipediately frowned the
opposition into silence, and threw around the serious students the protection of
his influence and authority. His preaching was marked by a dearaess, direct-
nJMM, pungency, and tenderness withal, that the most hardened found it
diiBcult to resist. Immense congregations would hang upon his lips in breath-
less silence, except as the silence would be interrapted by an occasional deep
sigh. If he observed in his audience the least sign of undue ezdtementr-Hiny
tlSog not perftotly consistent with the decpram due to the services ofGed*a
House, he would instantly pause and say, — ** You must compose your feelings.
Brethren — Ood is not the author of confiision, but of peace in all his churches."
And sometimes, on such occasions, he would give out a verse or two of some hyum
for the people to sing, till perftct silence was restored^ and then would go on. wHh \
his discourse. When this came to be understood, all tendencies to noisy demon-
stration were suppressed; though it not unfrequently happened that when the
congregation was jdismiBsed, several would be seeii remaining in their seats,
because, Arom the oveipowwing effects of distress or joy, thty were unable to
rise until their friends came to their assistance.
' Dr. Smith was unusually. careM hi avoiding hasty admicHiions- to the ehuxdi.
He urged upon the'oonsideratipn of those who were hopelbl oonysrts thelihpor- '
tancie of the most Qlose and diligent self-4Grntiny, and the g^
ilxsd on a fldse ibundation. He reqdred of them generally a probation of levml
JOHK BLAIR SMITH. 40|
months, and sometimes of a year or more, before bdng receiyed as eommonicants.
No anxious seats or inqniring meetings were nsed or thooght of in those iAjs;
though no opportunity was sufibred to pass unimproyed for earnest and fidthftd
conyersation in priyate.
Dr. Smith had but a slender firame, and a feeble constitution; and his exertions,
especially during the reviyal, were much greater than his strength would war-
rant. Not unfrequently he would go into the pulpit, and preach with wonderful
animation and power, when his friends thought that he ought to be in his bedr
On one occasion, he ruptured a blood-yessel, and fell in his pulpit, and had to be
taken out and carried home. At another time, as he was preaching in a priyate
house, and standing by a large open window, the same thing occurred again, and
puttii^ his head out of the window, he dischaiged such a quantity of blood that
all who were present supposed that they had heard him preach for the last time.
After this, he was urged by his physicians and friends to quit preaching altogether;
but in a few weeks he had resumed his accustomed labours as if nothing had
happened. The buoyancy of his spirit, and the all-absorbing interest which Be
felt in his work, gaye to his feeble frame a sort of recuperatiye power, that made
the passage a yery short one back from a near approach to the graye to the fresh
and yigorous discharge of his ministerial duties.
Notwithstandbg Dr. Smith was earnestly deyoted to his work as a minister
of the Gospel, his influence was deeply felt also as a patriot and a citisen. When
the war of the Reyolution spread terror and agitation through the region in
which he liyed, and interrupted the regular exercises of the College, instead of
finding an apology in his profession for remaining inactiye at home, he raised a
company of yolunteers from among his students and the youth of his congrega-
tions, and with sword in hand marched at their head as Captain, joined the army,
and performed a tour of military duty, in pursuit of the British legions who
were carrying desolation through the searports and lower counties of 'Virginia.
He subsequently set out with a yiew to join a company of yolunteers to assist
General Morgan in a probable encounter with Oomwallis; but when he oyertook
the company, his feet were blistered by trayelling, and he was, not without
great difficulty, persuaded by Colonel Martin, one of his elders, to abandon the
expedition and return home.
But Dr. Smith exerted an important influence in the ctril concerns of the State
also, especially as connected with the interests of religion. When the Legisla-
ture, in 1776, abolished the establishment of the Church of England in the State>
they, at the same time, passed an Act, incorporating the Episcopal Clergy, ancl
giying them a right to the glebes and churches which had been procured by a
tax upon the inhabitants in general, indnding Dissenters of eyery description as
well as Episcopalians,— notwithstanding the Bill of Rights had said— << The
rights of conscience and the tne exercise of reHgion shall be secured to aU the
dtiiens of the State, and no preference shall be giyen to one sect oyer any other.''
Another bill was introduced, but not yet passed, to extend the priyfleges of the
Act of Toleration, as passed by William and Mary, to the State of Ylr^ia. Dr.
Smith framed a remonstrance against those Acts, which he induced the Piresby-
tery of Hanoyer to adopt and send to the Legislature. It was a yery able State
paper, and had the effect of preyenting any further proceedings in regard to the
Act of Toleration, though the other Act remained in force a few years hmger,
until public sentiment loudly demanded and finally secured its repeal.
Another great excitement was raised hi 'Higinia by a bill which was intro-
duced in the Legislature, in the year 1784, fer a general assessment of aM the
inhabitants of the State, to raise money for the support of religion in the State,
leaymg it to the diflSnent parishes to dedde what denomination of Christfens it
should go to support. This bill was to be submitted to the yoters. The hihahi-
tanta of the Eastern Counties, where the predOeetion was generally fer the
402 PBESBTTSBIAH.
o\i QStoblishmenty urere mndi in fkyoiir of this plan of UMSsinenty imd its ope*
ration in respect to them would haye been nearlj the same thing as the rsHMtab-
lishment of the Episcopal Ohorch; whereas, in the upper counties^ where the
Dissenters were more numerous, and much divided into sects, it would only
generate contention, and open a door for electioneering and intrigue. Then, too,
each sect that was excluded from the assessment, would haye to suj^rt its own
minister, and pay the assessment besides. This, it was urged, would displease
more persons than the former establishment, would encourage a spirit of intol-
etrance, and wopld array the different denominations in a spirit of bitter hostility
against each other.
Patrick Henry, who was at this time a member of the Legislature, was a
strenuous adyocate of the assessment, and it was confidently expected, as well
from the wonderful power of his eloquence as fi^m the general character of the
Body, that the Bill would pass into a Law.
The subject now became one of intense interest, especially among Presbyte-
rians, who were nearly unanimous in their opposition to the plan; — ^though Mr.
Graham, a man of much distinction among them,fiiyoured it. Dr. Smith, hay-
ing ^succeeded in procuring what he deemed a suitable memorial to the Legisla-
ture, was appointed, with two others, to present it, and defend the side which
it espoused; though it was generally regarded as a most unpromismg, not to say
hopeless, moyement. It turned out that the conflict was almost entirely
between Smith and Henry; and the result was that the assessment bill was
defeated by a minority of three yotes.
It is well known that our great 'Virginia Orator was originally opposed to the
adoption of the Federal Constitution. When that noble instrument was sub-
mitted to the consideration of the people, Patrick Henry olfored himself as a
candidate for Representatiye of Prince Bdward County in the State Conyention;
and he appointed a day to meet the people of the County at the Court House, to
show the defects of the Constitution, and the grounds on which he opposed it.
The Court House is not a half hour's walk from the College. Dr. Smith, who
was an earnest friend of the Constitution, had made his arrangements to be pre-
sent at the meeting, and defend it against his attacks; but, being called away at
that hour to yisit a sick person, he employed a young man who liyed in his
femily , remarkable alike for memory, for shrewdness, and for the use of his pen,
to take down Mr. Henry's speech in shorthand for his (Dr. Smith's) ben^t.
Within a week or two frx>m that time, there was to be a public exhibition in the
College Hall — an occasion which was always sure to draw together a large assem-
bly. When the day arriyed, Patrick Henry, Who liyed in the neighbourhood,
came with the rest, little dreaming of the rod that was prepared for him. One
of the best speakers among the students came forward upon the stage, and
deliyered Henry's philipio against the Constitution, almost exactly as he had
himself deliyered it, at the Court House. Another immediately followed with a
speech prepared by Dr. Smith, in which he had put fyrHf^ all his energies, in
dtfmiee of the Constitution. There was no intimation giyen tiiat the two speedies
were not written by the indinduals who had pronounced them. Henry was not
a little annoyed by the procedure, and at the dose of the exetdses gaye Dr.
Smith to understand, in no equiyood terms, that he felt that an un&ir adyaatage
had been taken of him. Dr. Smith contended that he had no cause for oOm-
plunt, unless hia speech had been unfeiiiy represented; and m that case, he
declared himself ready to niake any amends in his power. Heniysai^ thai wiu
not the ground of his complahit; for the young man had certdnly taken his iipeedi
down with great'aconriMsy; but he thought it was indelksate and improper that
he. should be placed in sict einmmstanoes before that audieiioe^ without anyinti-
miction haying preyiousty been .giyen him of what was intended; Dr. Smith
repUed that Colonel Henry'knew it was his bteution to hayerejiUed'tohimi
JOHK BLAIB SMITH. 403
when he spoke i^t the Gonrt House, but was proYidentially prevented; tilat lie
Had then spoken for public effect, and his speech became public property; that i^
that he could reasonably require was that it should be fkirly ieported; and if
that had been done, he could not see that he had any just reason for complaint.
Henry, howeyer, was not at all satisfied, bi^oke off all intercourse with him from
that time, and would ne^er hear him preach afterwards, though he had preyiously
been one of his constant hearers.*
Leaving it to others to speak in regard to Dr. Smith after he left* Virginia, I
will only add that
I am yery respectfully and truly yours,
WILLIAK HILL.
FROM THE REY. ELIPHALET NOTT, D. D.
IJvzoii OoLUMi, April 10, 1867.
Dear Sir: My acqaaintance with Dr. John Blair Smith was short; my remi-
niscences of him are therefore few, but precious— for they are reminiscences of a
wise and good man ;— of a man who, during our too short acquaintance, oyer
treated me aS a son; — whose counsels gaye a new direction to my opinions on
Ohutch organisation; and whose efforts determined the ultimate field of my
labours.
I came from the State of Oonnecticnt in the summer of 1795, on a mission to
the " new settlements " in Western New Tork, which could hardly be said to
extend beyond Rome. Almost all beyond Rome — ^much this side of it-^was wil-
derness.
My training had been in the Orthodox Congregational Ghurehr^my sympa-
thies were with it; and so were my opinions in regard to Ohurch goyemment
And it was my purpose, and I deemed it to be my duty, to extend its influence,
and to form churches to be in the same ecclesiastical connection, and under the
same form of goyemment.
In passing through Schenectady, I stopped oyer night at a public house oppo-
site the Academy building, then occupied by the GoUege, and learned that there
was to be a prayer meeting or lecture there that eyeniug. I folt it my duty to
attend it, and was solicited to preach by Dr. Smith, then President of Union
OoUege, who, after sermon, inyited me to his house to spend the night. He
inquired concerning my yiews, and objects, and theatre of action. Haying told
him, he said to me, — ** The Orthodox Churches of New England hold substan-
tially the same faith as the Presbyterian, of which the Shortek* Catechism is the
common symbol. Now this being the case, is it wise, is it Christian,, to diyide
the sparse population holding the same fiuth, already scattered, and to be here-
after scattered, oyer this yast new territory, into two distinct, eodesiasticat
organisations, and thus preyent each from enjoying those means of grace which
both might much sooner enjoy but for such diyision? Would it not be better fhf
the entire Ohurch that these two diyisions should make mutual conce^^, and
thus eflb^ a common organisation on an accommodation pUn, with ft tie^ to
iAe(9t the condition of communities so situated? *' -
The arguments employed by Dr. Smith were deemed oohetuM?^ tijr'ite^^ liiye;*
new direction to my effortSj^and led, through the influence ^ otUHlktiigfega^
tionalists whom I induced to cooperate, to the formation of those monerous
Presbyterian Churches on this " accommodation plan,'' of which, thoiq^ the
plan has been abandoned, the fruits remam to the present day.
• Dr. Aiddbeld Alexander expNMid ton* fhtopiiiion flttl l>r. Bidlh*»tn^^
E«uy on ihk Mceaion irtm not meh •• Ui cbeneter and itandbg tntitled Urn to.
404 PBESBTTEBIAV.
»•• ;
My fixed pnrpoie wm, when I came ioto the SUie of New York, to eettie in
the country. From this purpoie Dr. Smith availed himaelf of every opportu-
nity that presented to diasoade me. He nrged on me the consideration of tlie
fiust tliat the Apostles always sought the great cities as centres of influence. He
urged my settlement in the First, then the only, Preshyterian Church in
Alhany ; and it was owing to his untiring exertions that I was finally settled in
that city.
Coming as I did firom Connecticut, where the discourses of the deigy were^ tot
the most part, aigumeotatiye, written discourses, and read calmly and delihe-
rately from the pulpit, the impassioned and extemporaneous efforts of Dr. Smith
filled me alike with admbation and amasement His addresses to the hopes of
Christians were most cheering, — ^his appeals to the consdence of sinners, terrific.
He was the dispenser of the consolations of the Gospel to the righteous, tlM
Boaneiges of the Law to the wicked. He was ever ready, ever willing, to preach,
and always commanded the npt attention of the audience he addressed. His
preparations for the pulpit were meditation and prayer. He seldom wrote his
sermomH-at most he wrote only a few hrief hints on a slip of paper, which, as
he rose in the pulpit, he placed under the thumb of his left hand, in which he
held a small pocket Bible, which he raised instinctively to meet his eye, when he
came to a new topic of discourse. Whether he read the hints written, when he
so raised the Bible, or whether it was merely a habit necessary to the free work-
ings of his mind, it would seem, was uncertain; for, on one occasion, when
delivering an impassioned passage, the little brief slipped from beneath the
thumb which held it, sailed away, and finally lodged on the fioor of the middle
a{sle. Not the least embarrassed by this incident, the Doctor tore a small piece
from a newspaper in his pocket, placed it under his thumb in the little pocket
Bible in his lAi hand, and went on with his discourse, raising the Bible to his
eye as frequently as before, and gathering from it apparently the same inspira-
tk>u.
In private life. Dr. Smith was remarkable for his hospitality and conversational
pbwers. His opinions on Slavery were substantially those of Washington, Je^
forson, and other distinguished contemporary statesmen at the South. But
though he spoke of it freely in conversation, and seemed to anticipate the divi-
sions which it has since occadoned in the Church, I do not recollect to have ever
heard him allude to it in the pulpit, where he seemed to know nothing but Christ
aud Him cmdfied.
.He mformed me that, during the prevalence of that terrible epidemic,— ^he
y^ow fever, b Philadelphia, in 1793, he remahied in the dty, kept his church
open, and preached every Sabbath, and to audiences such as he^Jiad nevoid
addressed before.
Be left his charge in Philadelphia chiefly on account of ill health, and under
the promiso, if he ever recovered his health, to return to them again. He did
recover his health, and fulfilled his promise by returning to Us former diarge;
bui-he returned there to die. There rest his ashes, and thence his sainted spUt
ascended to his Ood. Though he left no published works of oonseqiMOce, as
memorials of his worth, behind him, his memory yet lives on earth, and will
live honomed^ and revend, and loved, by all who Imew him, among whom are
none who remember him with greater affection and veneration than the writer of
this bikf memorial.
Very truly yours,
ELIFHALET HOTT.
OALBB ALSXAKDBB. 4^5
CALEB ALEXANDER *
1778—1828.
Oalxb Alxxandxb was born in Northfield, Mass., on the 22d of July,
1766. He was a great-grandson of John Alexander, who, with sevend
brothers, emigrated from Scotland, in the early settlement of New Eng-
land, and planted themselves on GoDneotiont River. His grandfather, John
Alexander, with twelve others, first purchased from the Indians the land
that constituted the old town of Northfield. His &ther was Simeon Alex-
ander, a respectable farmer, who, during the Revolution, rendered good
service, in different ways, to his country. Hb mother's mtuden name was
Sarah Howe — she was a sister of Caleb Howe, who was killed by the
Indians at Hinsdale, N. H., in July, 1776, and whose family were carried
captives to Lower Canada. Both his parents wore exempla^ members of
the church.
Young Alexander seems to have early conceived the idea of obtainmg a
liberal education, though he spent the period of his youth chiefly in labour-
ing on his father's farm. He entered Dartmouth College, and remained
there till his Senior year, (1776,) when he was recommended by President
Whedock to be admitted to the same standing in Yale College. The fol-
lowing is an extract from the President's letter : — '* He is another of that
number of which I have sent you several already, who was, in the judg-
ment of Christian charity, the subject of God's saving mercy, in that special
season of the outpouring of his Spirit here, the wbter before last. The
change appearing in the youth was very great, as, before it, he was consid-
erably of the wM order ; but ever since, as far as I have seen or heard,
he has adorned his Christian profession by a truly religious and exemplary
conversation. He has been a diligent student and a good scholar." He
was graduated at Yale in 1777; and took his second degree at Brown Uni-
versity in 1789.
Mr. Alexander entered on the study of Theology soon after he left Col-
lege, under the direction of the Rev. Ephraim Judson of Taunton ; and on
the 14th of October, 1778, was licensed to preach the (Gospel, at Groton,
Conn., by the Eastern Association of New London County.
On the 28th of February, 1781, he was ordained Pastor of the Church in
New Uarlborough ; but this relation contmued for only a short time. He
seems to have given offence to a portion of his congregation by the great
directness and pungency of his preaching, — which was strongly Oalvinistio ;
though the council that dismissed him, in recognising this fact, bear an
honourable testimony to his fidelity. Hb dismission took place on the
28th of June, 1782. On the 26th of December, 1786, he received a call
to settle over the Church in Hendon, Mass.; and was installed as its Pastor,
on the 12th of April, 1786, — ^the Rev. Dr. Emmons of Franklin preaching
the installation sermon.
Ill 1801, he was appointed by the Massachusetts Missionary Society to
visit the Churches and Indians in the Western part of New YorL On his
return, he sought and obtained a dismission f^om his congregation, partly
on account of the inadequacy of his support, and partly from a conviction
• Hilt. Hendon Awodation.^llS. from Ui ion, W. H. Al«ZMite, Bmi.
4Q6 FBESBTTERIAir:
that there was a field of UBefalnesB open at the Weet, whieh it was denra-
Ue that he shoiild oooapy^ The date of hie dismurion was the 7th of
December, 1802. On his retnm to the State of New York, he divided
hiB miniaterial labonrs among the three Chorohes of Salisbury, Norway, and
Fairfield, giving one third of the Sabbaths in the year to eaoh Chnroh. He
was also instmmental in founding the Academy at Fairfield, and became its
first Frmcipal; and it enjoyed, under his direction, a large share of public
&your. In 1807, he relinquished his charge of the dburch in Norway,
froin their inability to fulfil their pecuniary engagements. He subsequently
discontinued his labours at Salisbury ; and in the summer of 1811, resigned
his chaige at Fairfield also, on account of the insufficiency of Ids salary.
The officers of the Fairfield Church gave him, on his leaTing them, the
strongest testimony of their confidence and regard.
It wiLs not merely as Pastor of the Church, but aS Prindpal of the Acad-
emy, at Fairfield, that Mr. Alexander receired but a stinted compensation
fbr his services ; and, accordingly, in January, 1812, he tendered his resig-
nation as Principal, expressing, at the same time, his conviction that it was
impossible to bidld up an institution at Furfield of so liberal a type as he
had projected and wished for. He now became interested in establishing a
College, where the prospects seemed more encouraging ; and, accordingly,
be united with several other gentlemen to advance Hamilton Academy at
Clinton to the dignity of a CoUege. The effort proved successful; and, on
the 22d of July, 1812, he was unanimously elected Presidei|t of the new
institution. He, however, did not accept the place ; and, in the autumn
of the same year, he removed his fkmily to Onondaga Hollow, where he
had been eameetly solicited to come and co-operate with several others in
the establishment of an Academy. The Academy went into operation, and,
for the first four years, he was its Principal. He then resigned the place,
i^id retired to a &rm in the neighbourhood; but he now became interested
in the founding of the Theological Seminary at Auburn^ and engaged in
this enterprise also with great seal and energy. In September, 1820, he
was appointed General Agent to t elicit donations for the endowment of Pro-
fessorships in the institution ; and he discharged the arduous trust with a
good degree of success.
In 1822, the Connecticut Missionary Society appointed him missionary
to the destitute churches within the bounds of the Onondaga Presbytery;
and in this way he was occupied about nine months. During the last five
years of bis Ufe, much of his time was devoted to writing for religiouiB
newspapers, and to efforts in other ways for the advancement of the cause
of education and Christianity. He contmued to preach, as his services
were called for, till almost the dose of his lift.
His last illness was very short, or rather he may be said to have declined
without any perceptible iUness. He died at Onondaga, on the 12th of
April, 1828, in the seventy-third year of his age. His Funeral Sermon
was preached by the Bev. Washington Thacher.*
•WA«niiOT0ir Thaghib^ « aon of Omaqh MofM ThMher, wm bora at Attf aboroof h, Mmi.,
VeVni«7 28, 1794, Imt Nmorad flwiy with Iil« ftther'a fiuniW to KIm Pwtiion (now Harfbid)
Ppk<; reosiv^dliii oUMto«l ednwtion under tlM B/vr. Lyman TUahwdwB ; itodiedTheoloaynnder
t^lUv. John Trasir; ynm UooiMd toprMdi hrthe (HNgo PrMbTlMylB 18S1; wm oi£iii^ in
W2 ; oflldatad M itatod raiiply at Morriirme, N.T,, fh)m 18» to 18M) WM I^^
In. Joidan, K. T., ihim 1826 to 1843 rnrigned hii ohAigo on Mooimt of m ha^
a ftAtod Ripply at Baton; N. T., throe yean; wu anpointed Seeretaiyand Agent of the Central
Agenoy of the Amerloan Home Mitiionary Sodety in. Jnly, 1847 ; and .died jSine 29, 18M. He
VM an eminently deront man, and an eaneat and effBotiTO pieaeher.
OALEB ALEXANDER. i^(fj
• Mr. Alexander was married in 1780, to Lnoina, daughter of the Btr.
Thomas Strong,* his predecessor at New Marlborough. She died in Onon-
daga, Noyember 24, 1847, aged ninety-one. They had nine ohildren. One
of the daughters was married to the Bev. Dr. Lansing,! then of Auburn.
One son, William ff., (the only one who arrived at maturity,) still (1857)
surriyes, and resides at Syracuse.
. The following are Mr. Alexander's publications : — An Essay on the real
Deity of Jesus Christ, 1791. A Dissertation on the Psalms, showbg them
to be a pre-history of Jesus Christ, 1796. A Sermon preached at Men-
don on the death of George Washington, 1800. English Grammar abridged,
1798. Grammatical System of the Latin language, 1795. A New Intr6-
dnotion to the Latin language, 1795. A Grammatical system of the Gre-
cian language, 1796. A Spelling Book on an improYcd plan, 1799. The
Columbian Dictionary, 1800. A new and complete System of Arithmetic,
1802. A Grammatical System of the English language, 1814. Virgil's
works translated into literal prose. The Toung lady's and Gentleman's
Instruoter.
FROM THE HOK. OLIYER R. STRONG.
Sthacusx, July 21, 1866.
Dear Sir : The early part of my life was passed at Pittsfield, Mass., a few miles
from New Marlborough, where the Rot. Caleb Alexander, for some years, exer-
cised his ministry; and this, in connection with the feet that Mrs. Alexander was
remotely connected with my fether, rendered his name and reputation femiliar to
me firom my youth. It was not, however, until about the year 1810, when I came
to reside in this State, (New York,) that I became personally acquainted with
him. Our acquaintance commenced at the time when he first came to Onondaga,
• TaovAB Btmovo wm a natire of Northunpton, Mail., wm nadiifttod al Tali OoUige In
ITiO: WMordalned iini Paitor of the Chnxoli in Now Mwlboioa^, Oelobor 81, 1744; nnd diod
Avgnit 28, 1777.
t DiRCK CoavBLiui Lahiivo wai bom at LaDiinclmiv; N. T., Hanh 8, 1785, and was
gndnnted tX Yilis CoUoge In 1804. He beeamo hopofUly pioai daring n lOTiTil in Collogo nnd
Toinod the CoUmo Choxeh. He itodied Theology under the Rer. Dr. BUtehfoid of Leniing-
bug, and wai Itoeniad to pnadh by the Pnil^ry of Cdlnmbie, on the 6th of Janoair, 1806.
In the antnoin of the mme year, he cnthered a ehnrah, where now itendi the flooriifalng town
of Onondece, and had the neitonl ebaige of It fbr eight yean. He then, on eooonnt of the
fhUnre of hii heelth, retired awbUe npon a fenn, bnt eontlnned to preach, ai he had oppor-
tnnity, on the Sabbeth, and loon beeeme the acting Paitor of the Chnrdh in Stillwater, K. T.,
where he remained two yean and a half. In the rammer of 1816, he rajpplied, for lome time,
the Park Street Chnroh in Boitoni and loon afker accepted a caU fivm the Pint Pnibyterian
Ohnroh in Anbnm, N. Y. Here he acqoired great Donoleritr, and wai Initmrnental ot bring-
ing npwardi of one thon«nd penMmi into the chnreo m twelve years. Dnrinr a part of the
tlmealMheflUed the ehair of Baered Bhetoiicin the Theoloeical Seminary. In J^, 18S9.
he took charge of the Second Preebyterian Chnroh In Utica, iniere he continned to laboor with
great leal, and wai, ai behad pnTfoailT been, an earneit Mend to what wen commonly eidled
'< protracted meetingi ** and other kindred initromentalltlei for promoting rcTlTali. On the
one place, bnt labonred in many pnlpfti In Central and Wcitem New York, ei an erangellit
or itated rapply, and ipent one year in Illiaoii, where he wai initmmental In ofrnpiaog a
chnroh, and onilding a place ot worriilp. In 1846, he retained to the oity of New York, and
took charge of a feeble Mlaionaiy Chnroh In Chiyitie Street. In the ipring of 1848, he eupi-
SmI in the enterprlie of building np the Clinton Arenne Chnroh, which had been organiiecTln
oTcmber of the preceding yoar. He wai Iti flnt Paitor { bnt on account of hli enfeebled
health, the iwlation wai diaoolTed on the 19th of December, 1866, and in the i|>riDg ot iSSB,
he removed to Walnnt Hilli, near CInoinnatt, 0., where he died on the 19th of Maroh, IW,
aged leventy-two. He pnbliihed a Tolame of Sermooi foctaTo) In 18S6; and rocelTed the
degree of Doctor of DiTlnlty tnm WilUami CoUege In 18S6. An eloquent Qeimon wai dettr-
end on the oeoeiion of hii death by the Ber. Ar. ThompidD of the .Broedwi^ Tirf>emeile»
which reprcaenti hii character ai eombfaiing mai^ noble qAalitlee, and hli life ai am of gniKh
aetlTlty and nieftilneH.
408 nssBTmoAM;
to tako sMunresftr frtaWwlmig an Aadcmj, ow wbkh 1m i
adfldforflomejMura; and bw* m jmIT om of tlia TrwlMS of tlia
va wan frvqoMitlj braoglii tqgethw in nlati^
I ofUn lieard him praadi, and aaw bim in priTate under a gnat ymHj of cir-
cnmaUnoea; and, in hia laat iUnaaa, lie appointed me one of tfao ezecaton of
hia^wiU.
In Conn, Mr. Alexander waa thi^ aet, and alNNit five feet, nine or ten indwa
in be^lit. He waa al^ifatlj lame, and walked in a manner that would indicate
that onel^ waa ahorter than theother. Hia fiiee waa foil, broad, of rather a
florid oomplezion, and expiiiniiu of reflection and intelligenoe. Hia mannera
Ofineed a benerolent apirit,an4 yet he waa diitingQiahed ibr atrei^th of porpoae.
I well remember that hia tonadtj and perBereranoe naed to be indicated hj hia
beiiy called, **the oU Scotchman,*'— with refennce to hia Scotch de«Mit.
Though I cannot aay that he waa reaerred in conToraation, yet neither waa ha
particnlarij commimiratiye, except on aome apedal occaaiona; and then he woidd
make himaelf lugblj intermting. He waa exceedinglj amiable and exemplary
in hia prirate reUtiona, and waa pre-eminentlj a lOTcd and loTing hnaband and
I think Mr. Alexander noTcr ranked among the more popular preachera of hia
day. Hia diaconraea were, I belieTe, alwaya aenaiUe and edifying; hia Toice waa
anfidently foil and dear, bot not rmnafkaUe far amoothncaa; ho had little or
no geatere, and not mnch animation. Whenerer I heard him preach, I think ha
read Ida diaoooraca, though I belieTe it waa Tory common for him to preadi from
abort notea. The excellence of hia preaching doubtleaa lay rather in the matter
than in the manner.
I will only add that Mr. Alexander auatained a wmj hfgh cbaractnr aa n
teadier, and I beUere pretty uniformly aecured the confldonce and aflbetion of
hia pupOa, aa well aa the approbation of their parenta.
I regret that it ia not in my power to give yon a more extended deacriptiott of
tho anljeet of your inquiry; but if what I have written ahall be at all aTailabla
to your purpooe, I ahaU be highly gratified.
I am, my dear 8b, with great reqiect.
Your friend and aerrant,
OLIYXB S. STROVQ.
STEPHEN BLOOMER BALCH, D. D.«
1771>— 1888.
Stxphxh BIiOOMXB Baloh waa n dcaeendant of John Baleh,, who <
grated to New Englaiid, at an early period, from Bridgewnter in Bomeraet,
Bngland, and became poaaeaaed of lairge property and extenaiTo influence.
A great grandaon of hia remoTcd to Beer Cnek in Harford Goun^, Md. ;
and there the enljeet of thia aketch waa bom on the 6th of April, 1747.
He waa the aecond aon of Jameat and Anne (Goodwyn) Baloh ; both of whom
were exemplniy membera of the Preabyterian Ohnroh. Hia ikther waa n
man of n hig^y gifted and eoltifated idnd, had n fine poetical tdent, and
I the anther of aome anonymooa pieoea that had no amall odebrity in their
^lUQgbwTdigiuh, (Bkhwad, Ta.,) 18St.— MB. fton Ue n^, Ber. T. B.Bdflk.
tAeaaiaBgteaaol&raatlMritj, JaiM Bddi odgnitcd dhvelty fton Kagkad to Maiy*
STEPHEN BLOOJfBB 3AL0H. 499
diy. , The jroutlif ol dajs of the 86n were spent, for the mort parti under
the minietry of the Key. Hr. Strain, who was distiogoished for his eloqnenoe,
and^ who, bat for his warm attachment to hb people, would hare been
removed to a more oonspiouons sphere of labour.
While he was yet a youth, his finiher removed with his &mily from Mary-
land, and settled in Heoklenburg County, N. G. Here he was employed
for several years in assistmg his father to oultivate his &rm, but Ids heart
was set upon going to, College, and ultimately becoming a minister of the
Gospel. For the accomplishment of this object, he idtemately taught a
school and pursued his own studies ; and indeed he was a student at the
same time that he was a teacher. When he was about twenty-five years of
age, he was fitted for an advanced standing in College, and had, by his
industry and economy, acquired the necessary means for defraying the
expenses of his oollegiate course.
In the autumn of 1772, he became a member of the Junior class in the
College of New Jersey. Here he contracted an intimate friendship with
his classmate, James Hall, afterwards the Rev. Dr. Hall, of North Carolina,
who was for many years a prominent clergyman in the Presbyterian Church.
He was admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1774. The Hopkin-
sian controversy was, at that early period, not unknown, even at Princeton ;
but Mr. Bidch seems to have had little sympathy with his brethren of that
school. During one of his college vacations, he boarded at some &rm-house
in the neighbourhood wltha Hopldnsian brother, who did his utmost to induce
him to adopt Dr. Hopkins' peculiar view of disinterested benevolence. Find-
ing him less docile than he could have wished, he made his case a subject
of special prayer at the &mily worship, and contmued the prayer in his
behalf to a very unusual length. When they rose from their knees, Mr.
Balch, not being greatly pleased with this kind of effort to convert him,
turned to his fellow-student and said, — " If you wish to pray me into dis-
iuterested benevolence, go to your closet." This anecdote is related upon
the authority of the late Rev. Dr. Samuel Stanhope Smith, who was a resi-
dent of Princeton at the time.
A short time before Mr. Balch graduated. President Witherspoon was
applied to by the Trustees of the Lower Marlborough Academy, in Calvert
County, Md., to recommend a suitable person for Principal of that institu-
tion. Dr. Witherspoon immediately offered the place to Mr. Balch, and
advised him to accept it ; giving him at the same time many important hints
in respect to his conduct in subsequent life. Mr. Balch, having the utmost
confidence in the judgment of his venerable friend and President, determined
at once to acdept the place. Accordingly, after making some littie prepa-
ration, he set off upon his journey ; but, on reaohiog Philadelphia, he found
himself short of fiuids, and knew no person in the city to whom he could
apply for aid. He resolved, however, to call for what he needed at the
hotel, and, as a last resort, to exhibit his testimonials as evidence that he
was worthy to be trusted. The next morning, he walked to the market
house, — not in the best spirits, and, as he was passing through the crowd,
he noticed a person- apparently scrutinising his countenance very closely,
though he said nothing. At length, when he had set out to return to liJs
lodgings, and had proceeded some distance, he heard a voice calling to him
with some eimestness ; and, on looking around, he saw that it was the
same person who had just before been so intently gasing at him. He
Vol. ni. 62
^08 PSB8BTTEBIAN;
to tak^ vteanres'for eBtabliflhing mi Academy, otor which he Btibaeqatetly ^re^
aided for some jean; and being mjaelf one of the Trusteea of the institution,
we were frequently brought together in relations of both bosiness and friendship
I often heard him preach, and saw him in prirate under a great Tariety of oir-
cumstanoes; and, in his kst illness, he appointed me one of the executors of
his,w|U.
In form, Mr. Alexander was thick set, and about fire feet, nine or ten inches
in height. He was slightly lame, and walked in a manner that would indicate
that one leg was shorter than the other. His face was full, broad, of rather a
florid complexion, and expressive of reflection and intelligence. His manners
evinced a bencToknt spirit,an4 yet he was distinguished for strength of purpose.
I well remember that his tonacity and perseverance used to be indicated by his
being called, " the old Scotchman,''— -with reference to his Scotch descent.
Though I cannot say that he was reserved in conversation, yet neither was he
particularly communicative, except on some special occasions; and then he would
make himself highly interesting. He was exceedingly amiable and exemplary
in his private relations, and was pre-eminently a loved and loving husband and
flither.
I think Mr. Alexander never ranked among the more popular preachers of his
day. His discourses were, I believe, always sensible and edifying; his voice was
sufficiently full and dear, but not remarkable for smoothness; he had little or
no gesture, and not much animation. Whenever I heard him preach, I think he
read his discourses, though I believe it was very common for him to preach from
short notes. The excellence of his preaching doubtless lay rather in the matter
than in the manner.
I will only add that Mr. Alexander sustained a very high character as a
teacher, and I believe pretty uniformly secured the confidence and affectk>n of
his pupils, as well as the approbation of their parents.
I regret that it is not in my power to give you a more extended description of
the subject of your inquiry; but if what I have written shall be at all available
to your purpose, I shall be highly gratified.
I am, my dear Sir, with great respect,
Your friend and servant,
OLIVER S. STBOKG.
STEPHEN BLOOMER BALCH, D. D.*
1779— 1888,
Stxphsn BIiOOMXB Baloh was a descendant of John Baloh,, who emi*
grated to New England, at an early period, from Bridgewater in Somerset,
England, and became possessed of large property and extensive influenoe.
A great grandson of his remoTed to Deer Greek in Harford Oounty, Md. ;
and there the subject of this sketch was bom on the 6th of April, 1747.
He was the second son of Jamest and Anne (Goodwyn) Baloih ; both of whom
were exemplary members of the Presbyterian Ohoroh. His fiither was a
man of a highly gifted and cultivated mbd, had a fine poetical talent, and
was the author of some anonymous pieces that had no small celebrity in their
* BellgloQa Telegraph, (BUkmcand, Ta.,) 188S.— M 8. fnm hU am. Rev. T. B. Baloh.
t AmordODg to aoouer anthovity, Jimm Beloh «mlgntod dheelty from EogUnd to Maiy*
8TEFHBK BLOOJfBB 3AL0H. 499
ikj. The jroutlifdl days of the 86n were spent, for the most part, under
the minislry of the Key. Hr. Strain, who was distingoished for his eloqnenoe,
and, who, but for his warm attachment to his people, would haye been
remoyed to a more oonspiouons sphere of labour.
While he was yet a youth, his fother removed with his fiunily from Mary-
land, and settled in Heoklenburg County, N. C* Here he was employed
for several years in assistmg his father to cultivate his form, but Us heart
was set upon going to, College, and ultimately beooming a minister of the
GospeL For the aooomplishment of this object, he idtemately taught a
school and pursued his own studies ; and indeed he was a student at the
same time that he was a teacher. When he was about twenty-five years of
age, he was fitted for an advanced standing in College, and had, by his
industry and economy, acquired the necessary means for defraying the
expenses of his collegiate course.
In the autumn of 1772, he became a member of the Junior class in the
College of New Jersey. Here he contracted an intimate friendship with
his classmate, James Hall, afterwards the Rev. Dr. Hall, of North Carolina,
who was for many years a prominent clergyman in the Presbyterian Church.
He was admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1774. The Hopkin-
sian controversy was, at that early period, not unknown, even at Princeton;
but Mr. Bidch seems to have had little sympathy with his brethren of tbM
school. During one of his college vacations, he boarded at some form-house
in the neighbourhood witha Hopldnsian brother, who did hb utmost to induce
him to adopt Dr. Hopkins' peculiar view of disinterested benevolence. Find-
ing him less docile than he could have wished, he made his case a subject
of special prayer at the fomily worship, and continued the prayer in his
behalf to a very unusual length. When they rose from their knees, Mr.
Balch, not being greatly pleased with this kind of effort to convert him,
turned to his fdlow-student and said, — " If you wish to pray me into dis-
iuterested benevolence, go to your closet." This anecdote is related upon
the authority of the late Bev. Dr. Samuel Stanhope Smith, who was a resi-
dent of Princeton at the time.
A short time before Mr. Balch graduated. President Witherspoon was
applied to by the Trustees of the Lower Marlborough Academy, in Calvert
County, Md., to recommend a suitable person for Principal of that institu-
tion. Dr. Witherspoon immediately offered the place to Mr. Balch, and
advised him to accept it ; giving him at the sikme time many important hints
in respect to his conduct in subsequent life. Mr. Balch, having the utmost
confidence in the judgment of his venerable friend and President, determined
at once to acdept the place. Accordingly, after making some little prepap
ration, he set off upon his journey ; but, on reaching Philadelphia, he found
himself short of fbnds, and knew no person in the city to whom he could
apply for aid. Ho resolved, however, to call for what he needed at the
hotel, and, as a last resort, to exhibit his testimonials as evidence that he
was worthy to be trusted. The next morning, he walked to the market
house, — ^not in the best spirits, and, as he was passing through the crowd,
he noticed a person- apparently scrutiniiing his countenance very closely,
though he said nothing. At length, when he had set out to return to his
lodgings, and had proceeded some distance, he heard a voice calling to him
with some eimestness ; and, on looking around, he saw that it was the
same person who had just before been so intently gasing at him. He
Vol. ni. 62
410 FBESBTTBRIAK.
'repreMnted liinifldf as an itanennt merohaat, and stated tliai beknew l^m
by his resemblanoe to lus friends in Nortli Garolina, from whom he had
la^Iy reoeived great kindness daring a severe illness ; and he then added, —
** Perhaps I can now pay back the Idndness of year friends." This nnez-
peoted OYertnre led Mr. Baloh to disolose to him his aoti^al need, and the
stranger lent him all the money that was necessary for his relief. Mr. Balch
often related this circmnstanoe with great satisfaction.
After reaching Galyert County, he entered at once upon his duties as
teacher, and succeeded in gaining, b an uncommon degree, the confidence
and affection of his pupils. The events of the RevoluUon were beginning now
to excite great interest throughout the country; and the Preceptors of Acade-
mies were required to keep their pupils in a kind of military training, ready
to exdiange their books for muskets at a moment's warning. This state of
things rendered Mr. Balch's office as a teacher far more difficult and respon-
sible than it would otherwise have been ; and, on one or two occasions, the
older members of his school were actually put in requisition for military
seryioe.
During his residence in Calvert County, he made the acquaintance of
Bishop Claggett, from whom he received many kind attentions, and with
whom he was ever after in very friendly relations, till the dose of the
Bishop's life.
He continued teaching for about four years, and reoeived the greater
part of his salary in Continental money — " rather a bright remuneration" —
to use the language of his son, ** for fighting with mosquitoes, and for being
conquered quite frequently by the Tertian ague."
He then went to Pennsylvania, and was licensed to preach the Gospel,
by the Presbytery of Donegal, on the 17th of June, 1779. Hearing, about
this time, of the death of his &ther, h^ returned to the South, and spent
some months in travelling as a sort of missionary in the Carolinas. On his
"way thither, he spent a Sabbath in Georgetown, and preached in the hamlet
which had been founded in September, 1751, by George Beall, whose grand-
daughter he subsequently married. The people invited him to remain,
promising to build lum a church, but he declined at that time, though he
•gave some encouragement of returning to them after performing his pro-
jected tour at the South.
While Mr. Balch was itinerating in North Carolina, he was subjected to
many privations and hardships. On one occasion, night overtook him when
he was in a strange neighbourhood ; but he discovered a dwellbg not fiur
from the road, which he supposed, from its appearance, must be the resi-
dence of some wealthy man. He made his way to it, and was very hospi-
tably reoeived by the lady of the house, though her husband was not at
home. Being greatiy fiitigued, he retired early, and soon fell asleep ; but
it was not long before the gentleman of the house, who was no less a per-
sonage than General Willkms of North Carolina, returned unexpectedly,
entered his chamber, and intimated to him, in no equivocal terms, that he
should allow no one who was not a Whig to sleep under his roof. " Let
me rest in peace then," said his guest, "for I was educated under Dr.
Witherspoon, — one of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.'^
The next day, the General entertained Mr. Balch with a poem which he
had composed on the Stamp Act; and, on the followmg Sabbath, as the ene-
mies of the Revolution laid great stress on the apostolio injunction to be
STEPHEN BLOOMEB BALGH. '^^fl
Bobjeoi to tho^higW-powers) he earnestly requested hiselerioal gaost^
disooiirse apon tibat passage. He did so, much to the annojaaoe of tlio
Bojalists who were present, while the Oeneral, with several pistols in his
belt, acted as Clerk.
Hr. Baloh was inyited to settle over a congregation in North Garolinaf
but he had made up his mind to retnm to (Georgetown, with a view to estab-
lish there a Presbyterian Ohnrch. Accordingly, he went thither in March,
1780, and found as unpromising a field of labour as can easily bo imagined.
He preached for some time in a room rented for the purpose ; and, in 1782,
a few indiyiduals interested in sustaining Divine institutions, joined in build-
ing a very plain house for public worship. There were seven persons^
bduding the Pastor, who joined in the first celebration of the Lord's Sup-
per. Shortly after this, he was instrumental of establishing a Presbyterian
Oongregation in Fredericktown, Md.
The return of Peace, at the dose of the Bevolution, contributed not a
little to the growth of the village in which Mir. Balch was settled. His
church gradually increased, and many Episcopalians who resided in the
neighbourhood joined in their worship. Still he found his salary quite inad-
equate to the support of his family ; and, in order to meet his current
expenses, he was obliged to resort to some other business ; and he chose
that of instructing youth. Accordbgly> he was in the habit, for many
years, of conducting the education of young men ; and among his pupils
were not a few who have since attained to great usefulness and pronunenoe.
After the removal of the seat of government to Washington Gity, the
Episcopalians, who had been accustomed to worship in the Presbyterian
Church, estabUshed a church of their own ; and thus the number who con-
tributed to Mr. Baloh's support was temporarily somewhat diminished.
The loss was, however, quickly much more than made up by fresh acces-
sions from various quarters ; insomuch that it became desirable that the
place of worship should be enlarged. Into this project Mr. Balch entered
with great resolution and vigour ; and it was chiefly, if not entirely, by
contributions obtained through his persevering eflforts, tiiat the enlargement
was effected. Mr. Jefferson, who was then President of the United States,
contributed in aid of his object seventy-five dollars. He applied to Albert
Oallatin, Secretary of the Treasury, but he declined giving, on the ground
of the excessive frequency of similar applications. Mr. Balch immediately
dropped the matter, and began to converse on general subjects ; and among
other questions which he asked was one in regard to the success of Napo-
leon, in subverting the CFenevese Republic. Mr. Gallatin said emphaticdly
that his country was gone. *'I am sorry to hear it,*' rejoined Mr. Balch,
*'for the city of Geneva has produced more illustrious men in Church and
State than any other spot on the globe." He then rose and bade the Sec-
retary good morning; but, before ho had proceeded &r, was called back to
receive from Mr. G«llatin a handsome donation.
From this time Mr. Baloh's congregation gradually increased until 1821,
when the old church edifice was taken down, and a more commodious and
more elegant house erected in its place. The night before the dismantling
of the old building, Mr. Balch preached a sermon to an immense assem-
blage, in which he discoursed somewhat at large upon the history of the
congregation. It was an occasion of deep interest to him; and while he
rejoiced in it as marking a^ favourable epoch in the history of his oongrega-
412 FUSBTTSSIAV.
tion, it Mold' not but awiken iti his mind maay Mid and tender lieeoUee*
tions.
In the joar 1818, Hr. Baloh waa honoured witli the degree of Doetor of
Diyinity from the College at whioh he was ednoated.
In the year 1881, Dr. Baloh ezperienoed a great calamity in the bvm-
ing of hie honee. Some time before day, the watehmani in going hie
aoooBtomed ronnd, obeenred a lighl in one of the front roome, but did
not at first suppose that it was any thing oat of the common course. When
he came near Uie honse again, he observed that it was wrapped in flames.
The fire gained on the building so rapidly that, in a few moments, every
way of escape was cut off, except by a slippery shelving roof which was
under the window of his chamber. Several fruitless attempts were made
to pass the stairway; but, as he opened the door that led to it, he saw
nothing but a cloud of smoke mingled with sparks of fire. In thb extre-
mity. Dr. Baloh, with great self-possession, resolved to lead the way on
the root When the aged couple were discovered in these awfully perUous
circumstances, a feeling of horror ran through the assembled multitude ;
but when it was perceived that their escape was effected, it gave way to a
shout of generous exultation. He escaped with only the garments in which
he slept; his apparel, furniture, library, manuscripts, — every thing which
his house contained, was burnt to ashes. The loss was one which he ill
knew how to sustain ; but a circumstance occurred shortly after, by means
of which he was saved from the embarrassment to which he might otherwise
have been subjected. One of his early pupils suggested to him the idea
that he was entitled to a pension, under the then recent law of Congress,
providing for Revolutionary claims. An application was accordingly made,
his daim was granted, and before his decease he drew the sum of twelve
hundred dollars.
Dr. Balch, after he had passed the age of fourscore, xetamed so much
vigour as to be able to preach occasionally without inconvenience. A few
Sabbaths before his death, he had preached three times in Alexandria, besides
attending a funeral. On the Sabbath immediately preceding his death, on
returning from public worship, he showed manifest signs of indisposition,
and found himself unable to walk home. He revived, however j and, during
the week, evinced his accustomed cheerfrdness. The next Sabbath mornbg,
(September 7, 1888,) after having rested well during the night, he awoke
and took some refreshment ; but was immediately seiied with a spasm of
the heart, which caused almost instantaneous death. The tidbgs of his
departure produced a great sensation in the whole community. The Alder-
men and Common CQundl of the town passed a unanimous resolution to
attend his funeraL The town Gaiette was clothed in mourning; while
funeral badges were displayed not only in the church, but upon the market
house, and upon all the stores in the streets through which the immense
procession passed. A Funeral Discourse was delivered on the followmg
Sabbath, by the surviving Pastor of the Church; and there was subse-
quently another before the Presbytery of which he was a member, by the
Bev. Elias Harrison of Alexandria. His ministry in Georgetown extended
through a period of fifty-three years.
In 1782, Dr. Balch was married to Elisabeth, daughter of Colonel O^oige
Beall, of Geoigetown, — a young lady of great beauf^and rare aoppmplish-
ments. She died in her sixty-seoond year. He was' 6u1>sequently married
8TEFHSK BLOOMEB BALCH. 413
to a Mn. King, wlio lived bat about twenty days after she beeame biB wife.
He was married a third time to a Mrs. Parrot. He bad nine ohildrony —
four softs and five daughters, — all by the first marriage. One of his sons
was a judge in Florida, two were lawyers, and one, the Rev. Thomas B.
Balch, is a Presbyterian clergyman, well known as the author of '* Chris-
tianity and Literature," " Ringwood Discourses," and various other works.
His eldest daughter is the widow of the late General Macomb of the United
States Army.
FROM THE BEY. ELIAS HABBISOK, D. D.
Alxzaudbia, May 7, 1867.
Rev. and dear Sir: It gives me pleasure to comply with your request for my
reminiscences of the Rev. Dr. Balch, late of Georgetown, partly because the rery
intimate relations in which we were placed towards each other, during the last
seventeen years of his life, gave me the best opportunities of knowing him, and
therefore enable me to speak of him with great confidence, and partly because
my estimate of his character is such that I am glad to co-operate in any effbrt to
embalm his memory.
The first time I ever saw him was in 1813, when I was a student at Princeton
CoU^, in company with his son Thomas. He came there on a visit, — ^the first
he had ever paid to the institution, since he was graduated; and, as was to be
expected, it was an occasion to him of much pleasurable excitement. He
remained there for several days, — being frequently present both in the common
dining hall, and in the recitation room; and moving about fieely, as he did,
among the students, — with some of whom he was acquainted, he became exceed*
ingly popular. Their attention was particularly drawn to him by the aljf
humour which came out both in his language and in his countenance; while the
anecdotes in which he abounded, concerning the scenes and incidents of bygone
days, called forth peals of laughter, which were heard fW>m one end of the
College grounds to the other. In these explosions he himself always joined
most heartily; and it was said that Dr. Green, who was then President of the
College, and who was more than commonly tenacious in regard to ministerial
propriety and dignity, took him to task in respect to the freedom of his
demeanor, intimating that such loud " horse laughs,'* as he termed them, would
lessen his influence and injure his reputation. To this Br. Balch replied, — ^for he
afterwards told me the story, — ^that for his own part, he always did love a good
" horse laugh;" and that if he (Dr. Green) had indulged himself in that way
a little more frequently, he never would have supposed that his own nose was
the nozzle of a tea-pot, or that his head was made of glass — alluding to certain
imaginings predicated of Dr. G., (whether true or false I know not) at a time
when he was sufibring under the influence of great nervous depression. In the
end, however, our venerable President became so much interested in the Doctor
and his irrepressible humour, that he not only relaxed somewhat from lus accus-
tomed dignity, but actually, in some degree, caught the contagion, and heartily
shared in the laugh which at first* he seemed to deprecate. Before Dr. Balch
took his departure for home, he expressed to the oceupants of a certain
room an earnest wish to be permitted to sleep there one night, as it was the room
which he had occupied during his whole coll^ life, and it was not likely that he
should ever be there again. His request was very cheerfully complied with;
and this, with other pleasant drenmstances, serred to leave a most agreeable
impression on the minds of the students, and to render his visit among them a
delightfiil episode in the tedious monotony of 'college life.
After this I never saw him until I came to this oity in the dose of the year
1816. It was, I think, the last week in Deoember of that year, when, in aoobrd^
414 FBBSBTTERIAK.
ftnoe with a long efltkblkhed role tot miitiuJ oonrenienoe and profit, it was his
tarn to aid mj venerable colleag^ey Dr. Mmr, in the Bolemnitieli 6f the Lord's
Sapper. I thsn heard him preach for the first time; and thoagh the dlfeooorse
coold not be called an eloqaent one, there was still a Homething, both in matter
and manner, that riyetted my attention so closely, as to leare an impresmon
which the lapse of more than forty years has done little to efface. In person,
he stood before as, large, tall, and rather commanding. His ooantenanoe,
thoagh solemn, seemed after all to have in it a tinge of dry hamoar.- His
langaage, thoagh chaste and well adapted to his sabject, was the sagg€»tion of
the moment, — for he never wrote his disooarses. His method was ladd and
natanJ, and yet peculiarly ius own. And his manner was characterized by fer-
Toar, auction, and I woald say, originality withal. The impression which lie
left apon me, was somewhat strange indeed, bat it was on the whole h\^j
fliYoarable both to his intellect and his heart — an impression, I may add, whidi
none of his sabseqaent exhibitions ever served to remove or impair. He was a
great friend to load as well as animated speaking in the palpit; and in this, my
first, interview with him, he ooanselled me most earnestly never to lose sight of
that important requisite in a preacher; — adding, in his usual quizzical manner,
that young ministers were little aware of its importance, for it was often
accepted by the people as a substitute for good sense and sound argument.
Dr. Balch was also greatly in iavour of preaching without a manuscript, and
especially without writing at all; and he seemed, at that first interview, to take
quite a fkncy to me, because I had avowed my determination never to take even
short notes into the pulpit, and so fiir as practicable, to avoid the common prac-
tice of always writing taXLj for the Sabbath. He told me, if I remember right, that
he scarcely bver wrote a whole sermon, and had never written the half of one dur-
ing his whole pastorate; and he certainly gave a somewhat remarkable reason for it.
It was this: — ^When on his way from the Oarolinas to the place of his final settle-'
ment, — Georgetown, he was invited to preach at a certain church in Virginia,
at which there were several ministers of the Baptist denomination, and a very
large gathering of people. The services had been opened by a discourse which,
though delivered with great vehemence and boldness of manner, seemed to him
yerj crude, disjointed and illogical. [The Baptist clergy were not then what
they have become since — they were doubtless pious and devoted men, bat &w of
them had anything beyond a common education.] Inasmuch as he had taken his
diploma at OoUege, and withal had several well prepared disooarses with him,
>rhich he had carefrdly committed to memory, he indulged the rather self<iom-
'plaoent reflection that, as he was to follow the illiterate preacher, he should, to
say the least, not suffer in a comparison with him. He acknowledged that the
evil principle within him so far gained a momentary control, that he was ezpeefr-
ing to hear his sermon spoken of in no measured terms of approbation; but,
instead of that, as he was walking behind a laige number of people, after the sermon
had been delivered, he heard them sptek of it as absolutely so poor a thing as not
to be worth the time they had spent in listening to it; while his illiterate prede-
oiessor was extolled to the skies. " From that time," said the Doctor, " I firmly
iMoWed niiver again to attempt dther to preach a great sennon, or to write oat
another sermon for the pulpit " — a resolve to whieb I believe he adhered, without
a single exception, till his dying day.
It would be a lAistake, however, to suppose that he did nol fiudff his sermons.
He did not study them in the ordinary way; and yet the 6rda>ly method and
com^Mct arrangement by which they were marked, showed that they were the
product of no inconsiderablie thoOght. He generally formed a brief outline of
his discourse in the early part of the week, and then oceu|ied hin^self ^eiso^y
in filling it up before the Sabbath. These skeletons were wfitten in very sniall
paptir books, made for the ptirppse, each of which would perhaps hold a hon^lrcir
STEPHEN BLOOMEB BitJLOH. 415
or more; but tbey were nerer taken with him into the piilpit. I hare seen many
of them, and hate remarked their apparent neatness and ft^eedom from both era-
sures and blots; but was never able to decipher a solitary line, except by a
▼igoroos effort of the imagination; for his handwriting was scarody more legi-
ble to me than Arabic. His preaching was most frequently doctrinal, and was
characterized by great fearlessness and energy. He evidently cared little for the
praise of man, and I hare sometimes thought, still less for his censure. I am
inclined to think that the general character of his pulpit performances was such-
as to Justify the remark said to have been made by a respectable and excellent
old lady, that ** it was always rery good living."
In his dispositions he was kind, amiable and eminently social. T never saw
him Out of temper but once, and then but for a 'short time; while, during a long
course of years in which I was fitmiliar with him, and met him in almost every
variety of drcumstancos, he was pre-eminently good natured, cheerfbl and
buoyant. EQs exuberance of good humour continued with him till the dose of
life; and some of his friends of nervous temperament found it an excellent anti-
dote to depression of spirits. He was, in relating humorous anecdotes, abso-
lutely irresistible — ^neither the dignity of Dr. Green, nor the sobriety and quiet-
ness of my revered colleague, Dr. Muir, was proof against it. I must confess
there was no man whom I welcomed more heartily than Dr. Balch, when I found
the Hue8 were gathering upon me; for though I was constrained to think, with
the Tenerable President of Nassau-Hall, that his laughing explosions were per-
haps too frequent and sometimes too violent, yet he actually did more for me in
certain moods than any physician could do; and then there was such an air of
naturalness about it, that you seemed to feel that, with such a constitution as
he had, it could hardly be otherwise.
He was rery urgent with young ministers to get married, if possible, as soon
as they were settled. And as he was often appointed to charge the newly
installed pastor, he not unfrequently hinted at what he regarded a duty on this
subject, in that solemn exercise. He did so at my installation; and though, on
the whole, the charge was very judidous, and unusually solemn, he could not
resist the impulse to say, — and with an archness of tone and manner that was
marked by the whole congregation, and created a universal smile, — ^that it would
be well for me to remember that " a Bishop " must not only be ** blameless,"
but ** the husband of one wife." He saw me married not many months after-
wards, and offered me his congratulations on the occasion, with a heartiness that
could not have been greater, if he had supposed that I had got married merely
out Of respect to the advice he had given me at my installation.
Dr. Balch^s pastoral relation seems to have been a happy one. His diarge
gradually increased from a mere handful of people to one of the largest oottgre^-
tions of our denomination in this whole region. His people respected and loved
him; and those of them who still survive, never speak of him but with a feding
of profound veneration. He was always welcome in thdr femilies ; and his open
and cheerftil manner, and freedom from all stateliness and reserve, made him a
great fevourite, espedally with the young. I bdieve it is uncommon that a
minister, during so long a period, retains in so high a degree the affection of his
people.
A few years befbre his death, he was afibcted with a Sudden paralytic stroke,
while in the midst of his discourse on the Lord's day. It came without a
moment's premonition, rendering him both stiff and speechless, but ndther
depriving him of consdousness, nor chang^ his bodily position. Taken home,
he was soon restored to speech, and in a few weeks, by proper medical treatment^
to about his accustomed health. While he was con&ied to his bed^ I called to
see him; and findings hiin at the! moment al<me, he seemed unusually gratified.
Mid hardly able to express his feelings of Joy that ah opporttanity was dnoe ttdrii'
41Q fREgBTTSmAjr.
giren him of speaking without leBtitunt. *' For/' nid he, '' neiihar my hniSLj
nor mj physician, though transoendently kind, and eaniMtly seeking mj noor
Tory, haTe rightly understood mj case; th^ haye interdicted all company, and
laid an embargo on my tongue erer since it has been restored to use: and linoir
Tery well that these two things, if persisted in, instead of coring me, will hast«a
me out of the world. I most see my friends, and I most talk, or I most die."
And he did talk rapidly, thoogh he saw my alarm at the announcement of the
prohibition, and though Mrs. Balch, rushing in at the sound of his yoice, uiged
OTory consideration she could to prevent it. Strange to say, he recovered
rapidly from that hour; and often did ho remind me afterwards of that acci-
dental, or rather providential, circumstance of my finding him alone; " for I
verily believe,'' said he, " it was the means, under God, of continuing my liib a
little longer."
This attack is supposed to have resulted immediately from his discontinuing
the use of tobacco; to which he had been immoderately given for more than
sii^y-flve years. In all other kinds of personal indulgence he was very sparing;
and had never tasted ardent spirits, to the amount of a spoonfU, from the age
of twelve years. His physician had warned him of the probable issue of a sud-
den breakfaig up of this habit, and advised him, by all means, if he were -to
attempt it at all, to let it be a gradual process; but, being rather obstinately set
in his resolves, when once made, he persisted, until he had well nigh experienced
the worst. He then resumed the practice for three or four years, and during the
whole period enjoyed uninterrupted health; when, relinquishing it again, he was
again visited in the pulpit of a neighbouring brother with an attadc similar to the
other, though not so severe or protractiod. He then returned to it once more,
and continued it in moderation till his death.
One of the last Sabbaths of his life Dr. Balch spent with me, and assisted me
in the administration of the Lord's Supper ; and he was apparently in as good
health, both of body and of mind, as at any time when I had seen him for a num-
ber of years. He preached for me that day twice, and preached also«t the Pro-
testant Methodist Church in the evening, in addition to the serv^iees rendered at
the Lord's table. It was generally remarked that his sermons were not only
longer, but ihr more solemn and impressive than usual; but he suffered no incoli-
Tenience horn the labours of the day. He left me apparently ini fine health and
in excellent spirits, and I heard no more from him until the astouudmg news
came that he was dead; and that was quickly followed by an urgent reqiiest
that I should come and take part in the fhneral solemnities. I did go and ikieet
-the sad demand that was made upon me, — sharing the service (ao &r as the
addresses were concerned) with the Bev. Mr. Broolu of the Bpiscopal Ohurch,
with whom Dr. Bakh had been in the ikiost cordial relations. I was subse-
quently caDed upon by the Presbytery to preach his Funeral. Sermon, which I
did at its sessions in the First Ohurch m Washington City, and in the presence
of an immense audience, which had been attracted to the service from a desire
to do honour to the memory of that venerable man.
I have already intimated that Dr. Bakh was tall and well proportioned in
his physical structure. "His countenance was a fidr index to his ehancter. His
eyes were rather small, though keen; his ikce perhi^ a little too long ibr beauty,
and his neck too short Ibr the head that was above it. His gait was always
slow and cautious, and Ids movements indicated either that he was very absent
in mind, or that his Ihculties were intensely concentrated on some partkmlar
suljedt. His dress was never of the most fiwhionable kind; nor was he always
so particular in respect to it as to escape the fanputation of beings little slov-
^7* 70^ <A ^^ whole, hin personal appearance was .T«ry respeptable, abd In
sbde^ he was not laddpg in di&e attentltm to the ruiss of politeness. He was
an ewly riser, and would often take a loqg itroll, beAws any of his fiunUy or
STEFHEXiBLOOMEBilBALOH. i||f
nfiighboars were up; and in all ordiiuffj droonurtuices, ten o*oIock at ni|^t
would find him either in bed» or in his room preparing for it. It was doubtless
to the regularity of, his habits, ihe oheerfdlness of his spirits, and the vtter
absence of OTery thing like agitating or corroding passion, qnite as much as to
his natire vigour of constitution, that was to be attributed not only his exemp-
tion from the ordinary maladies which prevail among men, but a state of
scarcely interrupted useftdness or enjoyment to the dose of an unususllys long
lifb.
Notwithstanding Dr. Belch's passion for the humorous and the ludicnwis, he
thought much and felt much on the sul^ect of personal religion, and to his par*-
ticular friends, he spoke of it with both freedom and feeling. I never heard him
express a doubt of his personal interest in the merits of his Redeemer; and
towards the close of life he seemed to dwell upon the prospects of the opening
fhture with a greatly increased interest and solemnity. But the natore and perma-
nency of his religious principles were most effectually tested by the purity of his
life, the stem fidelity with which he rebuked the various forms of evil, and his
readiness to make personal sacrifices for the cause of Ohrist.' In view of all'tiliat I
knew of him, I cannot doubt that when he was dismissed from his labours on
earth, he went io reodvethe plaudit, " Well done, good and feithftil servant"
Tours very truly,
ELIAS HARBISON.
Dr. Baloh had an elder brother, Hxzskiah Jamxs Baloh, who had a
somewhat brilliant, though brief, career. He was bom at Deer Greeks then
tbo residence of his &ther, in 1746 ; was graduated at the Gollege of New
Jersey in lt66 ; was licensed tp preach the Gospel by tho Donegal Pres*
hyteiy in 1767 ; and was ordained by the same Presbyteiy previous to the
meeting of the Synod in 1770. In 1769, he went on a mission to the
Southern States, and shortly after became Pastor of the two Gqngrega-
tions,-^Rocky Biver and Poplar Tent, which he continued to serve till Uie
dose of life. In the famous Mecklenburg Gonvention, (May 19, 1776 J he
was present, and had an important agency in framing the well known
"Declaration" which that patriotic body put forth. He died, unmarried,
in tho summer of the same year. He b said to have been a man. of fine
personal appearance, and an accomplished scholar, and to have disappointed,
by hii early death, many hopes of extennve usefulness in the Ghuroh.
There was yet another brother, Jamxs Baloh, who became a clergyman,
and lived and died in Kentucky, where he seems to have taken an active
part against the movements of tiie Gumberland Presbyterians..
Vol. in.
%lg PBESBTnSBIAH.
PEANCIS CUMMINS, D. D.^
1780—1882.
Faanoib OtnfxiNB wm the son of Oharles and Bebeooa (MoNiokle)
Onmmins, and was born near Shippenaburg, Pa., in the spring of 1762.
Hia &ther and mother were both from Ireland — the former from the Oonnty
of l^rone, the latter from the Oonnty of Antrim : they were strangers to
each other in Ireland ; bnt, migrating to this oonntrj while thej were young,
they met and were married aiker their arriyal here. They were members
of the Presbyterian Ohnrch, and belonged to what was then called the
*' Ifew Side ; '* being great admirers of Whitefleld, the Tennents, and others
of that school. His father was originally a oooper ; but, by persevering
industry, he beoame, at no distant period, an independent landholder and
fiurmer.
The son spent his early years upon his father's fiurm ; though he had the
advantages of eduoation common at that day, and in that part of the coun-
try. When he was in his nineteenth year, his father removed to Mecklen-
burg County, N. 0., where the neighbouring Oollege, then called " Queen's
Museum,*' afforded him opportunity for a higher education. He was a
pupil in that institution, bodi before and during the Bevolutionary war, and
a part of the time enjoyed the instruction of the Rev. Dr. McWhorter,
Who had then recently removed thither from New Jersey. Here he was
graduated about the year 1776.
After leaving College, he was, for several years, engaged chiefly m the
businete of teaching. He was first employed as Preceptor of Clio Acad-
emy, then a respectable German Senunary, in Rowan County, now Iredell.
Etc afterwardiB taught, suooessively at BeUiel Church, York District, S. 0.;
at Smyrna Church, Wilkes County ; at Lexington, Oglethorpe County ; at
Bethany Church, Oreene County ; and at Madison, Morgan County, — Cku
Many of the most distinguished men of South Carolina and Geor^ were
his pupih; and among them the late William Smith, an embent Judge and
United States Senator from South Carolina, and the late Andrew Jackson,
President of the United Sutes.
He was an active and lealous patriot in the war that gave us our inde-
pendence. He was at different times in the army, and was engaged in sev-
eral battles. He was nresent at all the Mecklenburg Whig mei^tings of
1775, and mingled in the exciting scene of the reading of the celebrated
Declaration at Mecklenburg Court House. The interest which he thus
early took in the welfiure of his country, continued unabated to the close of
life. When the controversy on the subject of "nullification" arose in
South Carolina, though he had then numbered his fourscore years, the
fire of his youth seemed to be re-kindled in &vour of the Union ; and to a
brother clergyman who, in a moment of excitement, declared his readiness
to draw his sword against the General Government, he replied, ** If you dare
do so, I will draw my sword again, and cut you down."
While Mr. Cummins was engaged in teaching, he was prosecuting his
theological studies, under the dkectbn of the Rev. (afterwards Dr.) James
• MS. Ih«i hlf gnodm, OoloBd WmiMB XttKial^
FRANCIS OUMlCBfS. ^j^^
Hall. He was licensed to preaeh by tbe Presbytery ot Orange, at Booky
BiTdr Ohurob, in Meoklenbnxg County, December 15, 1780, Dniing tbe
year 1781, be preaobed at Hopewell, and various otber places ; and in tbe
spring of 1782, accepted a call from Betbel Oburcb in tbe adjacent district
of York, S. 0., wbere be was ordained towards tbe dose of tiiat year. In
tbe spring of 1788, wbile residing at Betbel, botb as tbo pastor of a cbnrcb
and tbe teacber of youib, be was elected by tbe people of York as a mem-
ber of ibe Soutb Oarolina Convention, called to decide upon tbe Constitu-
tion of tbe United States ; and tbougb all bis colleagues were for rejecting
it, be voted in its fiivour.
He was never long stationary in any one field of labour, or ratber bis
labours were never confined to a single congregation. Tbere were about
twenty congregations, wbicb considexed bim as, in some sense, tbeir pastor,
during tbe wbole period of bis ministry. He laboured abdut one year in
Nortb Carolina, twenty-four years in Soutb Carolina, and twenty-five years
in (Georgia. His time was almost always laboriously divided between teacb-
ing and preacbing ; and tbe cburobes in tbat region were, at ibat time, so
generally missionary stations, ibat tbe ministers were obliged to resort to
teacbing in order to sustain tbemselves and ibeir families. Tbis necessity,
bowever, was mercifully overruled, in tbe providence of God, to tbe educa-
tion of many a man under religions influences, wbo, otberwise migbt bave
remained uneducated, or wbo migbt bave been trained by an enemy of
religion.
Tbe degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon bim by tbe Uni-
versity of Georgia, at Atbens, in tbe year 1820.
Dr. Cummins bad great vigour of constitution, and, witb tbe exception
of occasional fevers, to wbicb tbe country was subject, be scarcely ever
suffered from ill bealtb. In 1880, be stated to bis grandson tbat tbe sun
bad never caugbt bim in bed, wben be was not conflned by illness, for fifty
years. In January, 1882, be was attacked by tbe influensa, wbicb, on tbe
22d of February, — just about a montb from tbe commencement of tbe dis-
ease,— ^terminated bis life. His last sermon was preacbed on tbe 15tb of
January, — tbree days before be became seriously ill, on Bomans viiL 16,
17, " If cbildren, tben beirs, &o." Tbis passage mmistered greatly to bis
comfort, as be was getting ready to put off bb eartbly bouse of tbis taber-
nacle. He expressed tbe utmost gratitude tbat be bad been permitted to
preacb tbe Gospel, and tbe most joyful confidence tbat be was about to enter
into rest. A Sermon witb reference to bis deatb was preaobed in April fol-
lowing, before tbo Hopewell Presbytery, by tbe Bev. Dr. Jobn Brown. He
lies buried beneatb tbe oaks around ibe Male Academy in Greensboro',
Greene County, Ghu
On tbe 26tb of Marcb, 1778, be was married to Sarab, daugbter of David
and Elisabetb Davis, wbo bad emigrated from Wales, and were at tbat
time members of tbe Presbyterian Cbnrcb of Steele Creek. Sbe was bom
in a place called t?ie Cavett in Cumberland County, Pa. At tbat place,
tbe Indians, on a certain Sabbatb, attacked ber &tber's fort. Her grand-
fatber, Mr. James, a Baptist preaober, of tbe seventb day order, was sbot
dead, wbile trying to view tbe Indians from tbe bead of tbe stairs. During
tbe contest, ber motber, Mrs. Davis, was all tbe time running bullets,
tbougb ber fiitber was lying a corpse. Some blasts of a concb-sbdl at last
dispersed tbe savages.
^120 ^ YiasiHrnHiiiv^:
EBa wife died 'Seoeniber 10, lT80,ilM aoUier of e«^t 4ddUMi,-Hf^o
bona -Old six dttiq^teh. All tiiese had ike bait maana ^ «diiaaftioftt w)ddi
thai part of the'oomitiy then aSbxded. ffia two^ aona'^ave ^gradoitddy the
one at Hampden Sidney GoHoge, the other at the Qollige of Nelr. Jeraey.
He reoorda it as an interesting fiust in respeeito hia diildiren,' that the fiiat
liiamed a native of jpelaware; the aeepnd a iiatiyeof Ifaryhqud; theihud
anadL?e of Sonftlh GaroUna; the fenrth a natiye of l^orth Gavolina; the
.^ptli. a naj^ye; of jPennsylyania.} the nxth a natJTe ■ of Maasaehnaetta,' the
ae^yeiQtlL a^natiTe o| Yirguua, M[id:the eighth » natiye of Oenneetientk .
In October, 1791, — Uie oironmstanoea of his family rendering, it in^ra-
Uyely fneoeasaiy that he shonld' form a second matrimonial conneotioa, he
;Waa marxied in Mecklenburg Gonnty, N.G., to Sarah Thompson, a natire
of Lancaster, Pa.,, with whom he iiyed forty years. She died the year after
hiffl,4Uid<rieepa by his side.
Dr. Gnmmins pnblished, shortly after he went to Oeorgiai'»< pamphlet
addressed io the Methodist and Baptist denominations, on the Doetrinea and
Polity of the Presbyterian Ghnrch ; and, at a later period, two Sermona on
Baptism, and a Sermon preached on the Fonrth of Jnly«
FBOX THE BBY. 8. K. TALXAGB, D.D.,
MnuiKumuji, Ga., April S8; 1862.
Bey. and dear 8b: Ton aak for my xeooUeetions of the late Bey. Dr. Franeia
Onmrnbia^ My personal knowledge of him extends oyer only a few of hift -latter
yeara; bat anch as it is, I oheerfVillj oommnnioate it to yon.
One of my earliest interviews with him waaat the examination of an Academy.
It waa' conducted prindpallj by himaelf.: Aa be waa an aged man^ I ezpected to
lliid rbim maty as a scholar. But, to my snrprise, I Ibond him exceedingly
accorate and minnte in his sdentiflc knowledge, higUy appieciatingi and dWeU^
voff with enthnslaain upon, nice pointa of dassical literatore* On ftirther
acquaintance, I ctfscoyered that he was an admurable critical scholar. His bibli-
cal knowledge, and particularly his acquaintanoe with the Greek of the New
Testament, waa uncommon. Indeed, I incline to the opinion that the diyines of
the hist centurjr, thbugh licking in that yaried and refined litehtture, which the
educated clergy of the present age compass, yet fltr snrpaased'thetn in critical
akill, •ad- intiknate knowledge of the saored text. And Juat here, in my appre^
henakm^ lay tlififar superior Btiengthi
Dr. €nmmina waa an able and well read theologian.' He hM the CMyfadstte
ayatem with great tenacity. He was alwaya anapicioua of aay loose fintaa of
expression, which seemed to him to rob God of his supremacy, and unduly to
exalt man. It became young preachy to been their guard in hia company; foi
their careless quotations firom Scripture, and IncorrAt forma of expression, were
sure to draw forth hia commenta. I neyer heard him preadi; but hia addresses
at ecdesiaatical meetinga, aa well as hia priyate conyersatioDa, gaye abundant
proof of profound thoo^t, great oripnality, and nice discrimination. He waa
uncommonly gifted in prayer. Hia lofty conceptkms of the Diyine attributea,
and hia deep aenae of the comparatiye nothingness of the creature, could not foil
to atrike eyery worahipper; and often, to tUa day, they form the ahbjeotof
remark among thioae who uaed to liateo- to hia deyotidnal serriees; " He had that
deamess and yiyidneis of conception, and that power of condenaatioit in the uae
of language, which gaye him great control of the minda of hirheanM.
His physical man wta in keepingtwith hia intellectnal.r -tfle> waa oniaiderably
aboye the common siae, with broad ahouldera, expanded frame* and large limba
rBANGraomorafs. 4^
He had a high, oapadons and inteUaotnal forehead; and efery thing hi his
appearance mdicated that he was no ordinary man. His yoioe was gattwal; hat
there was about it the remnant of a deep-toned power, indicatmg that, in the T%OQr
of manhood, it must have been a vevy appropriate Tehiofo for his commanding
thoughts.
Dr. Onmmins was charged by some with a tendency to aathoritatiyeness apd
pedantry. These i^ppearances were, doubtless to a great extent, the result (Xf
his long experience as a teacher, and of the habits almost necessarily contracted
thereby, in connection with the &ct that his acknowledged superiority com-
manded the deference of nearly all his associates. - '
. As a matter of principle, he was tbtj seyere against exhibitionsbf (gnorance
in the pnljnt; and he had »strong^^ antipathy to eyery thing that had the appear-
ance of fimatidsm.
,He was greatly opposed to all Secret Societies» and had no patience with any
of his clerical bretluren who, united with them. Among his little weaknesses, —
and let him that is without sin cast the first stone, — ^he loyed to adyert to the
fiMst that General Jackson had received part of his education under his sceptre.
He had one peculiarity which I must not omit to mention ,-rnamely, his
remarkable use of epithet8» and especially his firequent employment of terms in
a sense drawn rather from their etymology, than their common use. I remem-
ber his once characterising a sermon in &your of immersion, which he thought
yery weak, as being " pregnant with windy, watery arguments.'' He wrote an
apology.for his absence from a meeting of Synod in Savannah; and, inrdation to
the remoteness of the place of meeting from the centre of our territory, spoke
of its " eooentricity." His other reason was the lameness of his old horse. He
congratulated a young clerical brother, who had lately taken a wife, on his
" duplicity." He onee said, — speaking of the composition and delivery of ser-
mons,— ** Some men thunder and some men lighten; but for my part, I think it
is more natural for thunder and lightning to go together." I once saw a pam-
phlet that he wrote, about the time he came to Qeorgia, vindicating the Presby-
terian denomination fi^m various charges which had been made in relation to
their creed. He commented on the origin of the name from Preabyter-^dtr,
He dwelt upon their reverence fer every thing scriptural, sacred, venerable,
aged, — and rounded a paragraph with this unexpected sentence—'' Now Methu-
selah was a eonmmnmata Presbyterian."
' Though Dr. Oummins, when I first made his acquaintance, was an old man,
and asulject of much physical infirmity, yet his death was deeply felt; for his
kindness and sociability towards his junior brethren were a source both of ei^oy-
ment and of profit to them. He always said something in conversation that was
stjong, original, and suggestive of important thought. His great wisdom and
experience made him very valuable in counsel.
Dr. Oqmmins published very little, and his influence will be transmitted to
poetisrity chiefly through the living men whose characters he moulded. Hehas
left a^rge ^md, respectable drcie of desoendants, who reflect honour oh thdr
patehiity by their own fine intellectnal characteristks.
Tours very truly, . • . «..;
SAHUXL Kl TAl/kAM.
422 {BBBBTTBBIAirr
JAMES DUNLAF, D. D.
1781—1818.
FBOM THE BBT. ROBERT BAIRD, D.D.
Nbw York, February 16, 1860.
My dear Dr. Spragae : You have requested me to fomisli yoa some noti-
fMS of the life and oharaoter of the Bev. James Danlap, D. D. Herewith
you will reocive all that it is in my power to oommonioate, for a portion of
whibh I am indebted to the only smnFiving member of his fiunily.
Dr. Dnnlap was my instruoter in Latin and Greek, from the antnmn of
1818 to midsommer, 1816, when he remoyed from Uniontown to Washing-
ton, as yon will learn from the following narrative. He was Pastor, at a
Tefy early period, of the church of which my father was one of the ruling
elders. And although this was long before my birth, yet this fact was
the occasion of my hearing much in my early years, from my parents and
other people, respecting him. In addition to this, he was Pastor of a neigh-
bouring diurch for several years after my birth. I have therefore had con-
riderable opportunities for forming a correct estimate of his character,
Jamxs Dunlap was bom in Chester Oounty, Pa., in the year 1744.
He was the son of godly parents, and early manifested a more than ordi-
nary derire for knowledge. From the best informadon that I can gain, I
hare reason to believe that he was fitted for OoUege in the celebrated school
at Fagg's Manor, which was for some time under the care of Dr. Samuel
Finley, afterwards President of the Oollege of New Jersey. Of that Ool-
lege he, in due time, became a member, and was graduated in the year
1778, under the Presidency of Dr. Witherspoon. From 1776 to 1777, he
was a Tutor in the Oollege at which he graduated; and, during this period,
is supposed to haye pursued his theological studies under die direcdon of
its Tcnerable President. He studied also for some time under the Ber.
James Finley of Bast Nottingham. He was licensed to preach by the Prea-
bytery of Donegal sometime between 1776 and 1781 ; and was ordained,
Une tUuto, by the Presbytery of Newoasde, August 21, 1781, at Fagg's
Manor.
Not long after his ordination, he migrated to Western Pennsylvama, to
which part of the great West many eiccellent people removed from Ohester,
Montgomery, Lancaster, and other Ooundes in die Eastern end of the State.
In the autumn of 1782, he became a member of die Bed Stone Presbytery,
and Pastor of two congregadons in Fayette Oounty, called Dunlap's Greek
and Litde Bed Stone. In 1789, his connecdon with these congregations
was dissolred, and he aooepted the charge of Laurel Hill Oongreg^on in
the same oounty, which he held till 1808, when he was called to succeed
the amiable and accomplished Watson as President and Professor of Lan-
guages and Moral Philosophy in Jefferson Oollege, Oannonsburg. In con-
necdon with his dudes in Oollege, he also preached to the Oon^pregidon of
Miller's Bun, as long as his health would permit.
In 1806, he was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the
Ooll^ over which he presided.
JAMES DUHLAP. ^28
tn 1812, be Tesigned the office of Prerident and of F^feBSOir, on aoooimt
of his inorearing infinnities, uid remoYed to New Qeneya,* in Vayette
Ooimtyy on the Honongahela Biver, abont thirty miles distant from Oan-
nonsbnig. Here he engaged in teachmg a small number of scholars in the
classics. The next year, however, (1818,) he removed to Uniontown,
where he had charge of the ^joademy (now Madison College) of that place.
In this situation he remained till the summer of 1816, when he removed,
with his wife and two unmarried daughters, to Abington, near Philadelphia,
where Iiis youngest son, the Bev. William Dunlap, was Pastor of a Presby-
terian Church. He thus reorossed the Alleghany Mountains in his old age,
to spend Ids last days almost amid the scenes of his youth.
But the veteran servant of Christ was now near the end of his course.
On the 22d of November, 1818, he died in the joyful hope of a glorious
immortality, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. Notwithstandiog, in his
last hours, he found much in the review of his life to lament, still his fiuth
in the promises of God failed not. Just as the hand of death was falling
upon him, he said with great humility, — '<! know that I love Gt>d, and
that I love his people for the likeness they bear to Him.'' One of his
daughters, leaning over him, asked him if he knew her. He replied,-—
" l^e my watch, and keep it as a memento of my love for you." His
Funeral Sermon, agreeably to his own request, was preached by the Bev.
Dr. Neill of Philadelphia.
Dr. Dunlap was certainly no common man. He possessed naturally a
very amiable temper; and though, on account of his enfeebled health, some-
what prone, in his later years, to irritability, yet he was as far as possible
from having an implacable spirit : a moment's reflection, a single word of
explanation, was generally sufficient to allay all excitement. He was
remarkably free from ambition, and was a beautiful example of Christian
humility. I never heard a lisp from any human being, that even seemed
to reflect upon his Christian character; and the most thoughtless and
wicked, who were brought within the sphere of his influence, were con-
strained to acknowledge that he was a good man^
Notwithstanding Dr. Dunlap was highly respected as a faithful and even
eloquent preacher, it was as a scholar and a teacher of youth* that he was
perhaps chiefly distinguished. Hb knowledge of the classics was exceed-
ingly minute and accurate ; and even in his old age, it was his delight to
devote a part of each day, unless other more important engagements claimed
his attention, to his &vourite Latin and Greek authors. The copies of
Homer, Horace, Virgil, Cicero, and above all, the Greek Testament, which
he was accustomed to use, were witnesses to his great love of classical lit-
erature,— ^being almost literally worn out in his service. His influence in
J'efferson College was very great, especially in this department of learning.
He wrote but little, except sermons, and I am not aware that he published
any thing; and yet the cause of sound learning as well as of religion found
in him one of its most able and effident friends. Many of his pupils have
become distinguished in both Church and State, 'and some have become
kqown as authors.
• Thlf TlUige of New Geii«?ft WM fbiiiid«d 1^ the Ule Albnt GaUaAlB, M)d^^4^^
findit&klilrilCplMaof lt«fl9iiiidCT,-H3«iMml&Sw1tMi^ It If imuakabto Uuil tin lolHyra
liietan of giM in the Uidt«a StitM dioald have oomiBflBeaa In tUf U^^^
fiwt of «b« JUlcfhMiy Monntalnt.
424 nUSSBTTBBUir.
MriL? Simkp swyived hei^ hualiiAiid ]i0urly<.e!gbt>7eanr wl dSe^-tH! PliBap
delphia, in 1826, full of fidih and of peace.
Of their four daugbtenH thf) AM only reinaiiui. Thu ddeat waa nwniod
to the late Eev. Stephen Bpjer.^ The eldeat son of his: aeoond daughter,
the Be?. Samael Folton, is Paator of the Foarthi Preebjtexian Ohiiftfh in
Pittabnrgh.. He ia mnob respected as a man and a minister.
(tf.three4K>iis,:the.eldestandseaond|-r*JofspA and /ai9ief,stndied.lairand
pnMtised for. several jears at Natchei, Miss. They were both men of snpe*
rioY. talents and fine soheUrahip* /ofspA died in 1821, and Janus the year
following* James wasvfor ^etveral yearsy a Jndge in the District Oourt*
The third son, fVUliam^ was graduated at Jefferson College in 1807, and
was a Tntor in the College of New Jersey in 1809. He had a well bal*
anced and well cnltivated mind, and more than nsnal gravity of manners.
He vas for several years Psstor of the Presbyterian Congregation in: Abing-
ton, Pa. He suffered much dnring the last year and a half of his life, and
smrvived his &ther l^ss than a month*. He met death in the exercise of a
joyfnl and irinmphant fidth.
Yonr sincere friend and brother,
BOBBBTBAIBD.
FROM THE BEY. AKDBSW WTLIE, D. IX
fbbudsit or xsdiava toxvxbsitt.
BuoMuroiov, Ind., AprU 1, 1849.
Bev. and dear Sir: I dieerftilly comply with yonr reqiust for my recollections
of .my venerated IHend and instmoter, ihe late Dr. Danlap« When I first knew
him, which was about the year 1808, 1 was but a lad. In the coune of some
following years,.I had, it is true, a better opportunity of observing his ways
than students generally have in respect to their teachers; and his Gfaancter made
a very distinct impression on my mind, — ^which, however, was not so intelligible
to me then as it is now. The following imperfect sketch may give some idea
of it.
Dr. Dunlap (the students, in speaking of him among themselves, generally
called hfan Nsptwu, because his presence quelled the wstcs of ndsy merriment,
which occasionally rose among them>) was in his personal appearance some-
what remarkable, as he was also in some traits of his character. The one was a
symbol' of thciOther. Abont five feet, eight or. ten indies, he appeared, as he
walked along withdow and measured, step, to notice nothing— his figure, straight
as :an /arrow — ^his gait, regular and uniform^— his form, perfoet in its proper-'
tinns bin , dress, .plain and neat. To a casual observer the most .remarkable
thing, about him was his abstraction. He seemed generally lost in thought, and
to take no interest at aQ in the outward worlds Of course he talked se^om,
and when he did, his woixls were.elicited and fow. He was a fine dsiBsical
sdiolar, and when a happy translation was made by a student, you might seiB a
l^m of intense deUght id his looks, but be would say nothing. Two Uds, one
myself, and the other Charles Lucas^ (ahs he foil in aduel,) asked him to hear
1SU| iirigiidl & flheiie in 1814» Md eeenilad a flril fhn the Bproegh of M
Otoiibmi^lMi»: fle&»»Wej <pa.WijtfiMfW»y/|b
<iayp<kOee>ljJltaaiWwyM>p4<tiet.J»«so(Wii>liined^^ ^iaei. iHtpib-
-- - ^IvfiSooM^^ BedSfldontlMl0tkorKoffiaba>1847.
JTAMIS DUHLAP. 425
them in »ii 9xtn oonne of Qieek, whieh he did in a manner which showed that
he did not think it a tronhle hnt a pleasnre.
His temper was mild and patient; hat when the ill oondnot of any of his
popilsy heing persisted in for a long time, exhausted his patience, 1> became, as
has been said of Washington, " terrible in his wrath.'' I saw him chase an ill-
contriyed, saucy, red-headed boy across a room, out of the one in which he was
reeitingi to the platform on which the stairs landed, kicking him or rather kick-
ing at him, all the way. Some kicks probably touched him lightly, for the boy
ran ynih. aU his might, and the way he got down stairs, and cut across the eaai-
imt , would, with the other part of the scene, haye set us " in a roar," but we
suppressed it, till we were dismissed and out of sight. One other occasion I
remember which cannot be briefly told so as to giye the full impression. Tet I
will try. A great, tall chap, whom we called ^ocftis, (he affected the reputa-
tion of a sage among us,) had an awkward fashion of lifting his feet alternately,
in a swinging manner, as he stood up to recite. Another member of the class,
a sly rogue, would contriye to introduce under the feet of Doetiu a dry burnt
coal firom the hearth, the crunching of which he knew would affect the President's
nenres nnplessantly. This trick he played seyeral times so as to escape notice.
At lengthy the President could bear it no longer, and shutting the book, he admin-
istenadto poorDocfus sucha cutting and terrible rebuke as fiurly made him
tremble. He was cured of his shuffling.
DVf Qnnlap preached regularly to a small congr^tion in the country, — neyer
that I remember in the College; so that I seldom had the opportunity to hear
hun, and when I did hear him, it was on occasions for which he had likely made
more than ordinary preparation. Judging from these occasional efforts, I should
think him a good deal aboye the standard of ordinary excellence. His sermon
was clear, plain, rich in thought, and, in some respects, impressiye. But his
yoice always broke into the "ftlsetto," when he became highly animated; and
these occasions, when they occurred, which was not often, were sure to be marked
hy something in his whole manner which was yery peculiar and striking. I
haye neyer seen any thing like it in any other speaker. His arms would he
thrown out suddenly towards the opposite poles; his fiu» would beam with
light, — ^not glow; and his whole person would exhibit for a moment the appear-
ance of tension, as if for flight; — ^then perhaps he would stop short, as if he had
forgot something, and then proceed in his usual calm, subdued tone. One occa-
sion t remember well— 4t was on Monday after the Sacrament of the I^ord's Sup-
per had been administered, " on the hill "—the congregation was large; the day
was fine; the air mild and calm. The preparatory parts of the seryfce were
finished. He stood up in the tmt. His fine figure is now before me as it then
was. There he stands, gaiing into yacanoy, oyer the heads of his people, as if
he were looking into the Western horison. He puts his hand into Ids yest
pockety as if Ming for-his speotsdes; and thus he stands till I begin to fear he
has -tej^t Idmself altogether. Suddeidy he brings down his eye to the holy
page^ announces his test^ and proceeds to discuss and apply it in one of the best
discourses that I eyer heard.
I Jiayeiu^derptoodths^ be Qn$e»|br«oniettoe« quit preaching ra .This
toqk pl|ioe whan he was Ifhe Pastor of a fo^ngr^tion called ^' Lani«l WHJ* It
wa9 attribntsd to a.fit, ojt melancholy. I know not how it wMk ^'B^t I know
that th^ spirit of Pr. Qunlap was, in its sensilnlities, too delicate for .^le tUags,—
and .when I say things, I mean not material things, — with whidh hp ^ras in con-
tii<t. He had no rn0S*4 B^i^gth. Hewasnota.LutherbntaMtfMipthQn. Be
cduld'hardly be said to be a resident of earthv He dwelt ii\a regioni'cdT thought
l^hlbs^fyoriB the company of those ^h^tfae^of fieeh se6$'no4. Most
aMttredly he was a good man.
Yery respcctfUDy yours,
_ ' A. WTLHS.
Vol m. 54
426 PBSBBTTBIOAJr.
MOSES HOGE, D.D*
1781—1820.
The graDdparents of Hoses Hooe oame originally from Sootlaad, diir-
ing the perseoation of Oluurles the Seoond, and settled first at Amhoy &i
New Jersey. Thenoe they removed to Delaware ; thenoe to PennsylYania,
and thenoe to what is now Frederick Ooonty, Ya., and settled on Oedar
Greek, about the year 1786. Here slso lived and died James skid Mary
(Griffith) Hoge, the parents of the subject of this sketch. And here too
he himself was bom on the 16th of February, 1762.
Young Hoge evinced an uncommon precocity of mind, snd such was his
thirst for knowledge that every leisure moment was devoted to his books.
His &ther was a farmer in only moderate circumstances ; but he was an
inteUigent as well as eminently pious man, and wss disposed to gratify and
cultivate the intellectual testes of his son to the extent of his ability.
From his earliest childhood, under the influence of a Ohristiaa education,
his mind had a serious direction, and he has been heard to say that he
could not remember the time when the subject of religion wss not gratefol
to his feelings. He did not, however, make a public profession of his fidth
till he was about twenty years of age. His Esther, though he had been a
ruling elder in the Presbyterisn Ohurch near his own residence, for some
reason transferred his relation to an Associate Ohurch in Pennsylvania, dis-
tant more than a hundred miles ; and though he and his fiunily attended
the usual Sabbath services in the church where they had been accustomed
to worship, he went regularly once a year into Pennsylvania to attend the
Oommunion. On one of these occasions, his, son Hoses accompanied him,
and became a member of the same church with which his father was con-
nected.
With his first desire to obtain a liberal education, and pierhaps with his
first distinct reli{^ous impressions, was connected the purpose, if Provi-
dence should open the way, to become a minister of the GhospeL He
served, for a snort time, as a soldier in the army of the Bevblution ; but
under what circumstances cannot now be ascertained. Up to that time,
nothing seems to have occurred that gave promise of his being able to
carry out his Cavourite purpose of acquiring an education; but, shortiy
after, as is supposed, two clergymen calleid and passed a night at his ftther's,
and were 'SO muchstruck with the evidence of his intellectual superiority,
that'^thev 'encourage him to commence at once a course of study, and per-
suaded his fkther to render him whatever pecuniary aid might be in hik
poller. Aooordingly, 'without mueh delay, he made his way across ihe
Blue Bidge inio Oulj^ppcir Oounty, le a elassical school, taught by a min-
ister of the Associate Ohnroh. ThiB sohdol, however, owing to the troubles
of the Bevolution, was soon broken up'; and, for a shor^ time after thjsV )ie
seems again to have been engaged upoli the fiurm. In IttS,^ he Kjpufed'tp
Liberty Hall Academy, which Hanover Presbytery W tWl^^ cfrtah^
&hed at Timber Bidge,, yi^Jof which THUIam Qrahm wis at tiiai tiiae
tthe head. He completed his studies here in 1780 ; and meanwhile' his mfaid
• j*-;i'"- • • •
*]l8fi.from RflT. I>r. HmaiidBev. Dr. Atezaate.— Fooled Skalahw of Ya.|latC
XOSBS HOGB. 427
liad vndergone a ohange in regArd to his thnroh oonneotiioii. On the 26tli
of October of tliat year, lie was reoeiyed as a candidate by the Hanover
Presbyteiy.
Daring the pendency of Us trisls for Uoensure before the t^resbytery, he
went to redde with the celebrated Dr. James Waddel, and prosecuted lus
theological stndies still farther under his direction. He was licensed to
preach in the latter part of November, 1781 ; about one year after he left
Liberty Hall Academy. It had been his purpose to settle ia Kentucky ;
but this was deferred for a while, that he might visit the people on the
South branch of the Potomac, within the present bounds of Hardy County ;
and finally, from his attachment to that people, his purpose was relhi-
quished sltogether. The Oongregation in Hardy, which took the name of
Concrete^ odUed him to be their Pastor ; and he was ordained at Brown's
meeting house, Augusta, December 18, 1782, — ^the Sermon on the occasion
being preached by the Bev. Archibald Scott. During his residence at this
place, he devoted himself with great assiduity to study, especially the study
of Hebrew ; and at the same time taught a school, wUch not only helped to
famish him the adequate means of support, but secured to the youth in the
neighbourhood important advantages which they could not otherwise have
enjoyed.
On the 28d of August, 1788, he was married to Blisabeih, daughter of
John Poage, of Augusta County, — a lady of the finest intellectaal and
moral qualities.
After having spent about five years on the South branch of the Potomac,
he found the climate so injurious to his health, that it became necessary for
him to seek another residence ; and, notwithstanding the devoted attach-
ment of his people, and their earnest wish that his labours among them
might be continued, they could not conscientiously interpose any obstacle
to his leaving them. Accordingly, in the autumn of 1787, he removed to
Shepherdstown ; and, though there was much in the religious state of things
there that seemed unpromising, he very soon gathered a large congregation,
and acquired great popularity throughout the whole region.
In 1798, he appeared for the first time as an author. A very popular
Baptist minister, by the name of Jeremiah Walker, had suddenly passed,
under somewhat peculiar circumstances, from ultra Calvinism to the entire
rojectiQu of the Calvmistic doctrines, and had written a pamphlet in defence
of his new views. To this pamphlet Mr. Hoge wrote an able and somewhat
eiiended Beply, in vindication of the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church.
In the year 1799, Mr. Hoge published another work which attracted very
considerable attention, entitled, *' The Christian Panoply." It was designed
as an antidote to Paine's Age of Beason. It consbted of two parts — the
first containing the substance of Bishop Watson's masterly Bc^ly to the
first part of Paine's work, and the second Mr. Hoge's Answer to the second
pKBTt of it It had a wide curculation, and exerted a very important influ-
ence.
Jj^ the autumn of 1801, Mrs. Hoge's health had become so delicate (hat
h«r physicians advised t|iat she should pass the winter m,a more Southern'
dmifte. . He accordingly set out to travel with her ; and, after spending
some tixce in North Carolina, they proceeded &rther Soi|th, that jrithout
miy peroeptibie improvement of her health, Qn their way home, they
'de^rnoned to visit the Sweet Springs in Pottetourt Ooonty; but, before
428 PRESBTTERIAK.
they amved Uiere, she became bo feeble m to be nnable to proeeed on hef
journey, and on the 18th of Jane, 1802, the fifUi day from thiB time that
they stopped, she died. She was fall of peace and hope in her last hours ;
and her husband, though he was obliged to bury her in a desolate place,
and in the midst of strangers, stood at the head of her graye, and preached
Christ and Him crucified as the Besurrection and the Life. They had liyed
together in the conjugal relation upwards of nineteen years.
In October, 180S, Mr. Hoge attended the meeting of the Synod of Yir^
ginia, at Hampden Sidney College. During the sessions of the Synod, he
renewed his acquaintance with an accomplished and pious lady, whom he
had formerly known as the wife of William Pitt Hunt in Maryland, but
who had been for several years a widow. He soon made proposals d mar-
riage to her, which she accepted, and within less than a month she had
become his wife. The union proved a source of much happiness to both
parties, as well as to Mr. Hoge's fictmily.
In 1805, he opened a classical school, partly as a necessary means of
support, and partly with a view to the education of his own sons. In 1807,
he was invited to take charge of the Academy in Charlestown, about ten
miles from Shepherdstown ; and to divide his ministerial labours between
the two places ; but, after due deliberation, he declined the offer. Shortly
after this, he was appointed President of Hampden Sidney College, in place
of Dr. Alexander, who had removed to Philadelphia ; and at the same time
was invited to be assistant preacher in Cumberland and Briery Congrega-
tions, each of them about ten miles distant from the College. After con-
siderable hesitation, he consented to remove. He was inaugurated as
President of the College during the sessions of Synod in the month of Octo-
ber, and was welcomed to his new field of labour with every expression of
good-will and confidence.
In 1810, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the
College of New Jersey.
The subject of education for the ministry having been discussed by the
General Assembly in 1809, it was resolved to send down to the Presbyte-
ries the inquiry whether there should be one or more Seminaries established.
A divided answer was returned to the Assembly ; but the Presbyteries in
Virginia determined in favour of Synodical Seminaries; and the Assembly
having consented to this, wherever it should be preferred, while yet they
determined on establishing a central one, — ^the Synod of Yir^^ia, in 1812,
resolved to establish a Seminary within their bounds, and unanimously ap-
pointed Dr. Hoge their Professor.
From this time till his death, he held the two offices of President of the
College, and Professor of Divinity under the appointment of the Synod. He
had ^e pleasure of seebg about thirty of his pupils at Hampden Sidney,
licensed and ordained ministers.
In^ 1819, Dr. Hoge's constitution, under his multiplied and onerous
labours, was found to be giving way. For several months, he was con-
fined to his chamber, and part of the time to his bed ; but he still, even in
his feeblest state, continued to hear the daily recitations of his class. In
the- course of the summer, his health was so &r reoruited that he paid a
visit to his friends in the Valley about Shepherdstown and Winchester, —
whioh proved to be his last. In the spring of 1820^ he attended the meet-
ing «f Usi Presbytery in Meoklenburg County, and was appointed a dele^
XOSBSHQOIwr
gAle^to iheGeBeml ABsemblyto meet in Pliiladelpiaa. . Sk extended his
jomey Mte M New Tork, with a speeial Tiew t0»ftttend:4iie amfiTeirafy
of Ae AmericMui 'Bible Sooietj. This desire being gmtified^) Itoispenta
little time ii Princeton, land ihen pi^ooeeded to Philadelpbilu > E& Iras bble
t6 attehd the sesaiohii of the Ateembly for abont a week, when he became
00 iB as to be confined to his lodgings. As soon as his case became aiarm-
ing, his fandlj were sent for, and hk wife arrived, only, however, in season
to witness his serene and triumphant departure. He died on the 5^h of
July, 1820, in the uxty-ninth year of Us age. A Sermon on the ocoiuuon
of his death was preached by the Eev. Eira Stiles Ely, D. D. His remains
repose in the burying ground attached to the Third Presbyterian Church in
Philadelphia, by the side of those of his intimate friend, Dr. John Blair
Smith, who had formerly been President of Hampden Sidney College.
Dr. Hoge had four children, — all by the first marriage, besides seyeral
that died in in&ncy. Three of his sons entered the ministry.
^ The year after his death, a yolume of Sermons was published, firom
his original manuscripts r'tfioughf not haying beeti prepared for the press by
himself, they are thought, howeyer excellent, scarcely to do justice to his
charaoter as a preacher. This at least was the opinion of Dr. John H. Bice.
FBOM THE ftEY. W. S. BEID, 0. D. •'
LTVOHBTOCb Ya.^ April 14, 186S,
Bey. and dear Sir: Notwithstanding my health is feeble, and I find writing
consequently somewhat laborious, I cannot deoline your request for my reoolleo-
tions of my yenerable friend, the Bey. Dr. Hoge.
My acquaintance with htm did not commence until after I had graduated at
Princeton in 1802. While struggling on my way to the ministry, by my personal
exertions, aided by the beneficence of friends, I was proVidentially introduced to
this excellent man. He was tiien a resident of Shepherdstown, in this State, and
Pastor of the Church there. He kindly iiivited me to yisit him. He opened to
me, as he had done to many others in similar circumstances, the heart of affeo-
tioQ and the hand of beneyolenoe. He soon extended to me an inyitation! to
come and make my home in bis finnily; allowing me to prosecute, my studies
nndec.hls direction. I did so> and remained with him between one and two
years; and of coarse had an opportunity ef becoming thoroughly acquainted
with his character. He was a member of the Winchester Presbyteiy, under the
cm of which I |>a8se4 to my profi^on^
ia person J>r. fioge was of middle size, somewhat tending to a forward bodily
inclination. His manners, though without much artificial polish, were fSimiliar
and agreeable: they expressed Tery strongly the kindness and benignity of his
spirit be possessed a mind of uncommon yigoor, capable at once of accurate
discrimination and profound research; and withal ridily stored with the trea-
sures of scientific knowledge; As a preacher, his manner was nnjgracefal, even
uncouth; but there was so much depth and originality of thought , such richness
and force of illustration^ and such dear and cogent-reasoning, that theawkward-
nesf of his manner was yery soon quite oyerlooked or foigotteii. In his theo-
Iqgicel riewsy he iras thorooghlyCalrinistic,. regarding the doctrine, of ^salyation
bji^f^.fnd, ipyereign graqsif as, the yery substance of Cbristiai^^. Qe was
pi^(^n41y.rc«d i/BL Theology, fmi. had accustomed himself to yiew the (lyptem
wli^ch he held, in its various relations an^ bearings. As a tea(Bher,.]iehad.not
only great patience but great skiU. He had an admirable fociliiy at disarihg up
difBculUes, and illustrating the harmony of the Christian system. At the same
time, he was an eminent example to his jvupils of the Christian 'spuit. He was
430 PBBSBTTSRIAK.
oonoernedy not more to imptfi to them a knowledge of the tiutha of the Ooepiol,
than to lead them to coltiTatean ardent pietj^anddnlj to appreciate the nepon-
sibilitiea of the work to which they were deroted. He was honoured aa the
inatmment of bringing into the miniatrj manj ikithftal hbonren, aome of
whom, baying served their generation, have already Ikllen asleep. He waa
eminently oonscientions and nsefbl in all his relations, and was moch honoored
and beloYed whereyer he was known. He was greatly blessed in his &mily,
haying three sons in the ministry, on whom his mantle may be said to haye
rested.
That God may eminently bless yonr labours is the earnest desire of
Tour friend,
WILLIAM 8. BEID.
JAMES MITCHEL.^
1781— 1841,
James Hitohel was bom at Peqnea, Pa., January 29, 1747. His
father, Bobert Mitchel, waa bom in tho North of Ireland, but oame to
America when he was qmte young. Ho was a man of yigorous intelleot and
eamest piety, was well acquainted with his Bible, and strong in his attaoh-
ment to the Presbyterian Church. His wife, whose nudden name was Mary
Enos, was of Welsh eztraotion, and was also distinguished as a warm
hearted Chiistian. They remoyed from PennsyWania to Bedford County,
Va., where they resided many years. They botii reached an adyanoed age,
and of their thirteen children, not one liyed to see less than threescore
years and ten. The attention of the fitther is said to haye been first
awakened to the subject of religion, by oyerhearing his great-grandmother
— ^who was then more than a hundred years old, and who liyed to be a
hundred and twelye, — spraying in secret for his conyersion.
Their son James made a public profesaon of religion when he was in his
seyenteenth year ; though he dated the commencement of his religious life
to a somewhat earlier period. Of the circumstances of either his classical
or theological education little is known, though he was, for a time, preyioua
to his entering the ministry, a Tutor in Hampden Sidney College. He was
licensed to preach the Goq>el, by the Hanoyer Presbyteiy at Concord, Ya.,
in October, 1781.
Shortly after his licensure, he seems, by adyice of his Presbytery, to
haye taken a missionary tour into the Western Territories. It does not
appear how long he was absent, but it was probably somewhat less than a
year, aa there was an application made for his seryices from the united Con*
gregations of Concord and Little Fallings, at the meeting of Presbytery in
October, 1782.
Some time during this year, he was married to Frances, daugjhter of the
Bey. Dayid Bice, and granddaughter of that eminent sdholur and diyine, the
Bey. Samuel Blair of Fagg's Manor. Soon after his marriage he remoyed
to Kentucky, where he exercised his ministry aa he had opportunity, and
• Footed SketohM of Ya., ad Bniis.— US. ft«m Mn. Dr. Bke.
JAUS MITOBXL.
481
rappoTted his fiunily diiefly by teaohiDg a sohool. H« remained m Ken-
tooky, howeyer, bat a short time ; for in October, 1788, the Presbytery
agreed to send him to the Chnrches of Hat Greek and Gab Greek, and
appointed a day for his ordination. Owing to peculiar oircamstanoes, how-
ever, the ordination did not take plaoe at the time first appointed, bat was
deferred till the 4th of Angost, 1784, when the serrioe was performed at
Bnffalo.
Mr. Mitohel oontmaed to preach to these congregations about three years.
In Ifarch, 1786, the Gongregation of the Pesks, in Bedford, made out a
call for him, and the Presbytery gave him leave to supply them during the
summer, and keep the csll under consideration. He was idtimately installed
over that congregation, though there is no record of installation services,
and the exact date cannot now be ascertained. Here, with a congregation
oovering an indefinite extent of territory around the Peaks, he passed his
long ministerial life.
In the spring of 1787, the degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon
him by Hsmpden Sidney GoUege — ^why it was not oonferred at an earlier
period is not known.
Not long after Mr. Mitchel removed to Bedford, a revival of religion
oommenced among the Baptists in the Gounty of Gharlotte, and graduslly
spread over a large portion of the Hanover Presbytery, extending even
into North Garolina. Into this work he entered with great alacrity ; and
he had the pleasure to see a rich blessing attending his labours. As the
Presbyterians and Baptists were, to a great extent, fellow labourers in
this revival, the different views of Baptism held by the two denominations,
ultimately became very generally a subject of discussion ; and Mr. Mitchel,
after mature refiection, committed his thoughts upon it to writing, in the
form of a brief treatise which he designed for pubUcation. For some reason,
however, it never saw the light, and it is understood that the manuscript
has been lost.
After he had passed his fiftieth year, he suffered greatly from nervous
derangement, and consequent spiritual depression. Doubting the genuine-
ness of hb piety, he questioned also his right to preach the Gospel. He set
out, not without great reluctance, with some young friends, to attend a
meeting of Synod at Winchester. Stopping for the night at a place called
New Market, in Shenandoah Gounty, he yielded to an importunate request
from some of the people there to preach in the evening. He took for his
text the words ad^^essed to our first father by his Greater — **Adam, where art
thou ?" The following were the heads of his discourse — 1. <* All men have
a place, like Adam, in which they ought to be. 2. All men, like Adam,
are found out of their places, and where they ought not to be. 8. All men,
unless they take warning, will soon find themselves in a place where they
will not want to be.*' As he proceeded, he became greatly excited by his
subject, and delivered himself with uncommon power ; and this marked the
breaking away of the cloud which had gathered around him. Many years
after, at an ecclesiastical meeting, a repectable elder of a church, and a mem-
ber of the judicatory, came to him, and asked if he remembered preaching
at New Market, at such a time, on the text, " Adam, where art diou ?" —
Upon receiving an affirmative answer^ the elder went on to say, — ** Well,
Sir, that sermon found me a poor ungodly sinner, and by the blessing 6f
Ood effectually aroused me — I had no peace till I found it in Ghrist tha
432 PBIBSpTTSBIAir.
Loxd." It fai fdrihef sUted thftl an old man whoae OliibtiaB naine waa
Adam^ and who waa an imbelieYei', happened io be preaent at the meeting,
and aa often aa thepTeaeher oried out, **Adam, where art thonT' — the
voice penetrated to hia inmost Bonl, and he became oonvinced that he waa
in a place in which he oonld ill afford to remain ; and the reanlt waa that he
fonnd no rest nntU he bowed to the requirements of the Goepel.
Mr. Mitohel often made missionary excursions, travellmg for weeka and
even months at a time, in the Sonth-weatem Oonnties in Virginia. Wherever
he happened to be, he was always ready to preach, and Ida preaching waa
always acceptable and often highly effective. He waa jealous of all innovar
tions, not only in the doctrines but the usages of the Ohurch. When the
members of the Hanover Presbytery began to dispense with the use of tokens
at the Communion, he looked upon it with deep concern, aa boding evil to the
purity of the Ohurch ; and when he saw that the omission^ was likely to
become general, he appeared before the Synod, and addressed his brethren
on the subject in a tone of earnest expostulation, and even rebuke. Though
his views were not practically heeded, his advanced age and truly apoatoUc
character prevented any demonstration on the part of the Synod, that waa
not entirely respectful.
Hr. Mitchel's last sermon was preached at the houae of his sbter^in*law,
Mrs. Margaret Mitchd, on the last Sabbath of December, 1840. Shortly
afler this, he became seriously ill, — ^the first time in his life that he had ever
suffered severe in^Uspoaition. During the whole period of his illness, hia
mind waa perfectly tranquil, and waa evidently reaching forward in the
exercise of a strong futh to the glory that was to follow. One of die last
sentences he uttered was — '* I want to live just aa long aa will be for the
glory of Gtod, and no longer." On waking from a gentle slumber, his coun-
tenance aeemed lighted up with joy ; while an increaaed diiBpnlty of respi*
ration told that the time^'of his depa^ure waa at hand. In a few moments,
he calmly folded his arms, closed his eyes, and yielded up hia spirit. He
died on Uie 27th of February, 1841^ aged ninety-four years and one month.
Mr. Mitchel was the ftither of thibrteen children,^— two. sons and eleven
daughters. His wife, who was twenty yean younger than himself, still sur-
vives (1867) in great infirmity, having paased her ninetieth year.
7B0M MHS. DR. JOHN H. BICE.
Pmwoa EnwAan GonRT, Ya^ >
Hampden Sidney College, Maj 6, 1864. {
My Dear Sir : I remember the Rev. Mr. Mitchel, concerning whom you inquire,
only aa an old man. I used to see him at myfiither'a in my childhood, when he
came to attend meetinga of Presbytery and Synod; and when I waa mors
advanced in life, I had other and better opportuidtieB of observing his appear-
ance, and Judging of hia character. I can give yon in a ftw words my prbdpal
recoUeotiona of him.
He was an uncommonly small man, bemg low in atatuxe, and having very
little flesh; but he had great natural aietivity, and age had done littie or nothing
to lessen it. His ihoe, though pretty well wrinkled, Wore kn intdUgent espies-
sion, and easily brightened up into an agreeable smfie* He waa fhll of good
humour, and never allowdd hia part of the conversation to flagi He seemed alao
to have much ^neral intelligence, and &e waa looked up to by orery body aa a
man of another age.
JAMES lOTGHEL. 433
In the pnlint, perhapfl, his most strikiDg oharaoteristio was animstion. In his
extreme old age, he wonld sometimes exhibit all the fire of yoath; and would
dash abouty as if impatient of confinement to one spot. Thoiigh he had not a
tooth in his head, his enunciation was remarkablj distinct, and his joioe, which
was well adapted to pnblic speaking, seemed to retain the deamess and force of
middle life. His preaching was bold, earnest, and if I may judge from the spe-
cimens I have heard, was of a more than ordinarily alarming character. He
quoted frequently the passage — " Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and
brimstone, and an horrible tempest,'' and many others of the same import.
Mr. Mitchel was a teacher of youth, as well as a preacher; and in the former
capacity, as well as the latter, had a high reputation. I have heard it said,
howeyer, that his discipline was yery seyere; and I remember to haye heard of
one of his pupils whom he had whipped with a handfhl of flax, reeolying that
when he was grown up, he would giye it back to him; but as I neyer heard of
any encounter between htm and the old gentleman in after life, I take fi>r granted
that his resolution did not yery long suryiye his fiogg^.
Mr. Mitchel was undoubtedly always reckoned among the more respectable of
the Virginia clergymen. In the later periods of his life, he became an object of
interest from his extreme old age, in connection with his remarkable aotiyity;
and, though he has now been dead many years, he comes up before me, as if I
had seen him but yesterday, in the exercise of his naturally joyous spirit, and
yet as a sort of animated bounding skeleton.
Tours respectfiilly,
ANNB S. BIOS.
SAMUEL CARRICK-
1782—1809.
FROM THE KEY. B. B. MoMULLEN, D. D.
Exoxyiuui, Temi., June 22, 1666.
Hy dear Sir : As nearly half a oentory has passed since the Ber. Samuel
Oarriok closed his earthly career, many facts and incidents that might haye
legitimately formed part of the narratiye of his life, haye undoubtedly passed
into obliyion ; though enough remain to show that he was more than an
ordinary man, and had much to do in giying direction, at an early period,
to the eoolesiastical affairs of this State. What my opportunities haye been
for gaining information in respect to his history, as well as forming a correct
judgment of his oharaoter, may be inferred from the fact that I am not only
fiindliar with many persons who, in early life, were his oontemporaries and
associates, but am Pastor of the same Ohuroh with which he was connected
during much the greater part of his ministerial life.
Samttil Gabbiok was a natiye of Tork Oounty, (now Adams,) Pa„ and
was bom on the 17th of July, 1760. At an early age, he came to the
Valley of Virginia, and there prosecuted his studies under that distinguished
Boholiur and theological teacher, the Bey. William Gkaham. He was taken
under the care of the Hanoyelr Presbytery, the last Wednesday of Noyem*
ber, 1781, as a candidate for the ministry, and haying passed through his
seyeral trials, was licensed at New Proyidence as a preacher of the Gospel
Vol. m. 66
jl34 PBESBTTERIAK.
on the 26th of Ootober of the next year. He was ordained and inatalled
Pastor of Booky Spring and Wahab meeting-house, at the house of James
Hodges, on the fbnrth Wednesday of Novdnber, 1788.
In 1784, a memorial was sent to the Legislature of Virginia, that
awakened no small interest, and occasioned considerable agitation. It was
to this effect — *' Should all the people of the State be taxed to support
religion in their respectiye denominations?" The Presbytery of HanoYcr
were unanimously against the measure; but say, — ** Should it be thought
necessary, at present, we would wish it to be done on the most libml
plan." Li Maj following, the Augusta Church requested the Presbytery
to e;q)lain parts of the memorial, and especially what they meant by the
word .',* liberal." Hr. Oarrick and Mr^ Hoge were appointed a Gommittee
to answer their inquiries.
On the division of the Presbytery in 1786, Hr. Garrick became a member
of the Lexington Fresbyteryi On the 12th of April of that year, he applied
for, and received, a certificate of good standing, with a yiew to traycd, and
the same year he was a member of the Synod of New York and Fhiladel*
phia, then the highest judicatory of the Church. He is supposed to have
visited Tennessee, shortly after his return from Philadelphia, r
For several years, Mr. Carrick seems to have divided his labours between
Virginia and Tennessee; but he did not settle permanently in Tennessecy
till about the year 1791, when he* was regularly dismissed to join the Abing-
don Presbytery. Sometime during 1789-90, he became greatly distressed
in regard to his spiritual state, and doubted so much the genuineness of his
own religious experience, that he actually withdrew temporarily from the
duties of the ministry. But after protracted and painful struggles, the
cloud passed off, and he returned to his accustomed labours with his former
alacrity. This was but a shpft time previous to his final removal to Tennessee.
Before he was actually settled in Uiis State, he preached upon a remarkable
mound at the junction of the Holston and French Broad Elvers. It would
seem also that in the year 1789, he was sojoummg upon the Holston Biver,
abont four miles from Knoxville.
Before leaving Virginia, he was married to a Miss Moore, daughter of
Bobert Moore, of the Timber Eidge Church, by whom he had three
children, — ^two sons and a daughter. The daughter (Blisabeth) became
the wife of the Hon. Hugh' Lawson White, — a member of the Senate of the
United' States, and at one time a candidate for the Presidency. Mrs. Oar-
rick died on the 24th of September, 1798,-^ day memorable in the annals
of Tennessee. A body of one thousand Indians (one authority says fifteen
hundred) were known to be within a few miles of Knoxville that nt^^t, on
their march to destroy all the inhabitants of that place. Thirty^ight of
about fifty men who were there,=went two ttakk frbm the littleilbrt^ where
the women apd dildrenr^werc' gathered, to meet this company of 'armed
sarages, — not doubting that they wez^ in the path of tltity, and WilSiig' to
trostJProvidence for tl^: result. Mr. Carrid^felt obliged, h^twitiistteding
hiff wife was a corpse, to g^with the defenders; and >ihe sotetnn'dbtrbf
hkybig hetTcmighar in rlhciir last resting phbe, m^ ^klttdMsii'hj
firauderhands. The indiansi* kfter coming within three <)B'four miles, hslted
tQ,iake counseL.- Theyvweredirid^ in their opiye^s on lAie qtiuti^
vheth«ror>noithi§^4ihbald make clean work 6^ it'liy a'^geafehil ^lassaore,
ixrr whether they dioidd sfiare^th^ women and childi^ii j^ and, after^ Mn^
SAJCUEL CABRICE. ^u
tinning their debates till daylight, widiont ooming to any agreement, they
wiihdrew, and, going to a neighbonring station, mnrdered the inmates of the
honse in a most barbarous manner. The details of this shoekin'g affiur may
be found in Dr. Kamsey's Annab of Tennessee.
Shortly after the death of his first wife, Mr. Oarriok formed a seoond
matrimonial eonneotion, with Miss Hannah McClelland, by whom he had
four children, — all of whom are deceased. She died on the 17ih of Angost,
1809, in her fiftieth year.
In February, 1794, Mr. Carriek was in Enoxrille, and at the opening of
the Territorial Legislature, he preached before ihat Body, by their inyita-
tion, on the second day of the session. The same year, he was chosen, by
the Legislature, President of Blount OollegCi which office he held till his
death. . During this whole period, he had the pastoral diarge of the Knox-
Tille Church, and, until 1808, of ihe Lebanon Church also.
Jn January, 1796, when the delegates had met for the purpose of forming a
State Constitution, we find this among their earliest records: — <*0n motion of
Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Boddy, ordered that the session commence to-
morrow with prayer, and a sermon to be delivered by the Bev. Mr. Car-
rick.''
Mr. Carriek always took great interest in the general cause of education.
Having a good education himself, and finding great need of it among the
people, he wss ready to do every thing in his power, both as a oitiaen and
a presbyter, to bring the means of intellectual culture within the reach of
all classes. In 1800, he was Chairman of a Committee appointed by the
Oeneral Assembly to prepare a Pastoral Letter to the Churches, Dr. Black-
bum bebg the other member associated with him. In the autumn of the
same year, he was Chairman of a Committee, with Dr. Henderson, *'to
draft roles to regulate the conduct of the Presbytery in the exercise of dis-
cipline, and explanatory of our sense of the Constitution.*' In 1806, he
was a Commissioner to the Gkneral Assembly, and was appointed on a
Committee of which Doctors Green, Miller and Nott, were also members, —
to report on the duty of the Church in reference to the subject of education*
I mentibn these &cts chiefly as illustrative of his acknowledged aotirity and
public spirit, and of ihe important influence which he exerted in his more
general relaUons to the Church.
In person Mr. Carriek was very erect, and altogether of a flne commanding
appearance. He was extremely urbane,— even courtly^ in his manners. !l^
the pulpit his manner was grave, dignifled and solemn. His views of Divine
truth were clear and deflnite, and Aey lost nothmg by his mode of exhibit-
ing them. As a preacher, he undoubtedly commanded great respect
throughout this whole community.
The drcumstances of his death were impressive and startling. It was
the season for the sacramental meeting in his church. He had spent much
of the preceding night in preparatory thought and study. Yery early in
the morning, he was seised with apoplexy, and in a few moments his spirit
had taken its upward flight. The Bev. Samuel G. Bamsey, hb friend and
oo-presbyter, was Sent for immediately, and he came and idminbteredthe
Communion to his Church, — as it were, by the very side^ of the dead bo^y
ofihexrbelotedPastor«. » ..) i
.. Tours very smcerelyg'
B. B. McMULLBN.
486 FRSSBTTSBIAir.
WILLIAM MORRISON, D. D .♦
1782—1818.
William Hobbisoh, a mm of Daniel and Janette (HoFarland) Hot-
riaon, was born in Perthahirey Sootland, in the year 1748. He earlj oker-
iabed a strong desire for the Christian ministry ; but the oirenmstanees of
his &ther were so straitened as to forbid the idea of giving him a liberal
eduoation. In eonsequenee of this, the son determined to migrate to this
oonntry, hoi>ing that he shonld here find the requisite means for aooomplish-
log his &Toarite object ; and he aooordingly came hither at the age of sot-
enteen. As he brought with him letters of recommendation from ministers
b Scotland, addressed to seyeral ministers in New Tork and Philadelphia,
he was receiTed with kindness, and encooraged to pnrane the design which
had brought him hither. Besuming the humble employment in which he
had been originally engaged, he soon acquired a sum sufficient to defray the
expenses of a collegiate education. But his fidth was destined to encounter
other difficulties stilL The College of New Jersey, to which his eyes had
been fondly turned, had its operations suspended by the war of the Bevo-
lution. Being repelled by similar embarrassments from other scenes of
collegiate education, he was constrained to have recourse to academic and
private inatruotera. Haying thua attained a competent ahare of claaaical
and general knowledge, he placed himaelf under die care of the Associate
Presbytery of New York. By their adyioe, he pursued and completed a
course of theological study under the Bct. Bobert Annan, then Uying in
the vicinity of Phikdelphia. He was soon licensed as a candidate for the
Christian ministry, and entered with great delight and characteristic ardour
on the duty of preaching.
Shortly after he was licensed, ProTidence directed his way to London-
derry, N. H. It was a congenial spot; for he found in the place a great
number of hia own countrymen and their deacendanta. The congregation
to which he preached had enjoyed, Ibr a long period, the laboura of the
excellent Mr. McGregore, under whom they had become well inatructed in
the trutha of Chriatianity. Mr. Horriaon'a aeryioea were highly appro-
dUed ; and he aoon receiTed a unanimoua call from the Church and Soiidety
to become their Paator. He accepted the call, and was ordained and installed
February 12, 1788v
* The scene of Mr. Morrison's labours was eztensiTe, and his duties were
arduous. The energy and actirity of his mind found ample scope among his
numerous flod:. But his ministerial serrices reached much further. In various
t6wns, both n^ta and distant, which were settled in considerable measure by
Maigrants from Londondeny, his services were eagerly sought, and they were
freely and frequently rendered, especially on Sacramental occasions. As these
occasions were attended with a variety of public exercises, he often returned
home, exhilarated indeed in mind, but labouring under great bodily exhaustion.
' The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conforred upon him by Dartmoi^th
Umofrniy, about the year 1816;
He continued to occupy till the dose of his life the same fidd'of lalxw
to which he was first introduced. But eight days before his dteth he preached
• Dr. Daaa'iTini. Son.— MS. fkwiBffT. J. If. 0. Btrlligr.
WILLIAK XOBBISOK. 437
a Funeral Sermon for one of hie congregation, from Psalm zxzix. 4, *^ Lord,
make me io know mine end," &c. On Wednesday, the 4th of Haroh, 1818,
while yisiting a school in one of the districts of his parish, he became sud-
denly indisposed ; and this proved to be the commencement of his last ill-
ness. Within two o^ three days, it became apparent that his life was in
serious danger. On Sabbath morning, he said to his wife — '* Tou know
that the Sabbath has always been my best day, and my employment then
my best employment. But this is the last Sabbath I shall spend on earth*
In a short time, I shall be spending an everlasting Sabbath.*' He added
with a smile, — ** Will not that be a blessed exchange? " In the evening of
that day, he seemed quite exhausted ; but iu his bed, with his family around
him, he uttered a most solemn and affectionate prayer, in the course of
which he intimated that it would be the last prayer he should ever offer.
After this, he took each of his &mily affectionately by the hand, and when
he had so tar recovered himself as to be able to speak, said, — ** Now Lord,
what wait I for? " Such was a sample of his death-bed exercises. He
expired just as the words — *' Gome, come. Lord Jesus," had passed from
his lips, — on the 9th of March, 1818, at the age of seventy. His Funeral
Sermon was preached by the Bev. Dr. Dana of Newburyport, and was pub-
lished.
Dr. Morrison published a Sermon preached before the Honourable Gen-
eral Court of New Hampshire at the Annual Election, 1792 ; a Sermon at
the installation of the Bev. John Giles,* Newburyport, 1808 ; and a Ser-
mon occasioned by the death of John Pinkerton, Esq., 1816.
He was married on the 28th of June, 1784, to Jane Fullerton, of Pequea,
Pa. They had eleven children : two of the sons were graduated at Dart-
mouth College, and entered the profession of Law, and both of them died
of consumption in Savannah, in the year 1881.
FROM THE BEY. DAITIEL DANA, D. D.
KiWBUETiOBT, April 16, 1861.
My dear Sir: I was intimately acquainted with Dr. Morrison for many years,
and ftel perfectiy free to render my testimony concerning his character for the
purpose ibr whidi yon ask it. Many years have passed since his departure, but
they have done little to diminish the vividness of my impressions concerning
him.
Dr. Morrison ranked well with the excellent preachers of his day. It was in
the pulpit that his perceptions, his acquisitions, and the energies of his mind had
full scope, and the affections of his heart poured themselves forth in a tide of
devout and benevolent feeling. - His sermons were fall of Gospel truth; were
luminous and instructive; fkithful and searching; awfully alarming to the
wicked, yet encouraging to the sincere, and tenderly consoling to the mourner in
Zion. His prayers were no less impressive than his sermons. Beplete with
reverence and affectionate devotion; the breathings of a soul apparently in near
communion with its Qod; fbll yet concise; adapted to occasions and circumr
* JoBir GiLVS WM bora In Bngfand; wm ordained Paitor of a DiMonting CharBh in W«I1«
Ington, (Somonet,) wbero be remained nine jMnt then bad the diaige, Ibr a few yean, of a
ehnreh in Bzeiert oame to this eoontry from bu Ioto of BepnUiean inititatiaw in 1796:
preaehed for a ihort time In Blliabethtown, N. J., and Tranbidl, Oonn. | and on the SOth of
Jnlj, 1808, was installed Pastor of the Seoond Presbjterian Ohnroh In NewbuTport, where he
oonttnned till bis death, whioh oooorred In NoTomber, 18S4. He imhUshed an Oration dettr-
ared at KewbuTport on the Fourth of Jnlr, 1809; and Two Plseoarses deUTOied at Hewbuy-*
port on ooeasion of the National Fast, 1812.
438 FRBSBTTERIAK.
•ianoes; they could scarcely &il to impraui and edify the hearen. HiB mn^Ber
in the pulpit was peculiar. It had something of patriarchal simjplicity; ibome-
thing of apostolic gravity and authority. Yet it was mild, affectionate and per-
snasiye. It indicated a mind absorbed in Heayenly things, deeply, conscious of
its awful change, and anxiously intent to £uten eternal truths on the hearts and
consciences of men.
As a Pastor, Dr. Morrison was faithful, assiduous and tender; instant in sea-
son and out of season; watching for souls as one that must give account; and
finding his delight in the discharge of the most laborious and exhausting duties
of his office. Little did he spare himself, even in those closing years of life, in
which his emaciated form proclaimed the ravages of disease; and infirmity, con»-
bined with age, seemed to demand repose. Without exaggeration, it may be
said that he was truly the fiither of his beloved people. He rejoiced in their
joys, sympathised in their sorrows, counselled in their perplexities, adapted him-
self to their infirmities, and, without sacrificing dignity, or independence, or
faithfulness, ** became all things to all men," that he might promote their spir-
itual good.
But his cares and labours were by no means confined to his fiock. The gen-
eral interests of Zion, the peace and weliare of churches, near and remote,
engaged his feelings, and firequently employed his exertions. In addition to his
abundant solicitudes and efforts as a member of the Presbytery, he was fre>
quently resorted to, in cases of difficulty, in Congregational Churches. Kor had
he any reluctance, when requested, to unite in council with his ministerial breth-
ren of those churches. And few have been so suocessM in promoting the inter-
ests of peace and order. His deep knowledge of human nature, the quickness
and accuracy of his perceptions, his sound Judgment, his consummate prudence,
his unafibcted kindness united with energy and independence, were eminently
fitted to render him soccessfiil in mediating between contending parties, and
becalming the agitated spirits of men.
He took an interested and energetic part in the variety of plans and institu-
tions, which were commenced in his day, for disseminating the Scriptures and
religious tracts, for extending the knowledge of the Gospel, for educating poor
and pious youth, for promoting the power of godliness, and efibcting a reforma-
tion of manners. Every design connected with the glory of Qod and the best
interests of man, engaged his cordial concurrence, his active patronage, his fervent
prayers. He was much animated and delighted with the signs of tiie times. He
considered the multiplied revivals of religion in our country, and the unexam-
pled exertions of Christians on both sides of the Atlantic, to evangelise the
heathen, as intelligible and delightful indications of the approach of the prom-
ised Millenium.
Dr, Morrison had much of the spirit of genuine and exalted patriotism.
Looking abroad on the country which he had made his own, he cherished the
delightftil hope that its institutions were destined, not only to conduct to exalted
happiness its own inhabitants, but to elevate and bless the world. In an Elec-
tion Sermon delivered by him before the Legislature and principal officers of the
State, he manifested how pure and enlarged were his views of the nature of civil
government and of its ultimate design. He watched with untiring and anxious
assiduity the course of things in the Federal and State Departments, and gave
his most cordial approbation to the measures of wise and disinterested rulers.
The character and course of Washington early secured his entire confidence; nor
was it ever withdrawn from the public men who followed in his path.
In the private walks of life. Dr. Morrison exhibited a charactor consistent and
uniform, estimable and lovely. His 0ety was strict without austerity, and fer^
vent without enthusiasm. If there was a trait in his character cons]ncnou8 above
the rest, it was benevolence — a benevolence which prompted him to unwearied
WILLIAK UOUBJSOIX. 439
and sdf denying exertions inpromoting^he real happiness of hifffeUow'ereattirte;
whioh inspired candour fbr their fidlings, and compassion for their distvesse^;
which ooold forgiye the iDJurioas^ and oyeropme eyil with g;ood. It is acamly
needftil to add that in the social and domestic relations he was signallj ezemr
plary and amiable; that he was a most affectionate husband, a most tender
father, and a most faithful friend.
Such are my impressions of the yenerahle fkther of whom you haye asked me
to giye you some account.
Very sincerely and affectionately yours,
DAIHEL DAKA.
WILLIAM McWHIR, D. D *
1782—1861.
William MoWhib was the son of James and Jean (CKbson) MoWhir,
and was bom in the parish of Moneyrea, and Ooimty of Pown, Ireland, on
the 9th of September, 1769. His father was a fanner in oonibrtable oir^
omnstanoes, and both his parents were exemplary professors of religion.
In his early childhood, he lost the sight of one eye, and oame vexy near
losing his life, by means of the small-pox. His £ftther and grandfather had
both been elders in the Presbyterian Ohnroh ; and his parents were desir-
ous that one of their children should be a minister ; and contrary, as it would
seem, to his own better judgment, they conferred the honour npon him.
After having, for some time, attended a school in the neighbourhood of his
father's residence, he was transferred to another school, of a higher order,
in Belfiftst, to be prepared for OoUege. Here he was brought into intimate
relations, for some time, with an unprincipled and profligate young man,
whose influence npon him, temporarily at least, was very disadvantageous.
He remained at this school nntil 1778, when he was sent to the Uniyersity
of Glasgow, being then abont nineteen years of age. Here he passed three
sessions, which was the period presoribed to their candidates, by the Synod of
Ulster. It does not appear that, even at this time, his mind was at aU
awake to a sense of Christian obligation, notwithstanding he had made a
profession of religion, and his studies were directed with particular reference
to the ministry.
Immediately after leaving the University, he put himself under the care
of the Presbytery of Eillileagh, in the Oounty of Down, and having gone
through with his trials and examinations, was licensed to preach the Gospel
on the 24th of December, 1782. He was ordained by the same Presbytery
on the 26th of September, 1788.
Having, from tiie age 'of about twelve years, been deeply interested in
America, by reading Carver's Travels, he early formed a purpose, with the
oonsent of his father, (his mother was now dead,) to find a home on ihis
side the water. Accordingly, immediately after his ordinatipn, he ssiled
from Belfast for Philadelphia, where, on his arrival, he received firom vm-
ous distinguished individuals a oorcUal weloome to the cQuntry. Af^r ft
• MS. AvtoUograpliy.— MS. from Edwud J. Hsxdaif Biq.
440 FBBSBYTBBIAV.
few weeks, lie went, in oovplienoe with a request that had been sent to him
preTiona to Ua leaving Ireland, to engitge as a tea<iher at Alexandria; and
he now became the head of a hurge and floaiiahing Aoademy, wUoh was lib-
erally patronised by General Washington, and to whioh the General sent two
of his nephews. This brought him into quite intimate relations with that
illustrious man, as well as with many other men of note in that neighbour-
hood. The following is his account of his first risit to Mount Vernon: —
"A few days after General Washington's return to Mount Vernon, I
visited him in company with a countryman of mine, Ool. Fitsgerald, one of
Washington's Aids. At the dinner table, Mrs. Washington sat at the head,
and Major Washington at the foot — the General sat next Mrs. Washington
on her left. He called upon me to ask a blessbg before meat. When the
doth was about to be remoyed, he returned thanks himsel£ Mrs. Wash-
ington, with a smile, said, — * My dear, you forgot that you had a clergy-
man dining with you to-day.' With equal pleasantness he replied, ' My
dear, I wish deigymen and all men to know that I am not a gracdas
man.* " He goes on to say — **I was frequently at Mount Vernon and saw
him frequently at Alexandria; nor did I ever see any person, whatever
might be his character or standing, who was not sensibly awed in his pre-
sence, and by the impression of his greatness. The vivacity and grace of
Mrs. Washington reUeved visitors of some of that feeling of awe and
restraint whioh possessed them. He was uniformly grave, and smiled but
seldom, but always agreeable. His fevourite subject of conversation was
agriculture; and he scrupulously avoided, in general society, topics con-
nected with politics, or the war, or his own personal actions."
In the year 1792, Mr. McWhir was applied to by an influential friend in
Georgia, to visit Augusta, with a view to taking charge of both an Academy
and a Presbyterian Church in that town ; and, as he found that his expen-
ses of living in Alexandria were too great to justify the expectation of being
able to lay up any part of his income, he was inclined to listen to the appli-
cation. He, accordingly, after making arrangements for a temporary supply
of his place in the Academy, proceeded to Augusta on horseback; but, on
his arrival, found that the affairs of both the Church and the Academy,
were so identified with the movements of political parties, that there was
little encouragement to him to remun. ^ He, therefore, returned almost
intoediately to Alexandria, — only, however, to resign his place in the Acad-
emy, and to get ready to seek a more Southern residence. As soon as he
coidd make the necessary arrangements, he left Alexandria, and went to
Savannah, and thence to Bryan County, to visit some of his friends.
During his sojourn there, he accepted an invitation from the people of Sun-
bury, in Liberty County,. to take charge of their Church and Academy,
both of which were at ^at time vacant. Here his labours as teacher and
minister, overtasked his strength, though his preaching was remarkably
well attended, and his school grew constantly in numbers and popularity.
About this time, he was married to a Mrs. Baker, a lady of an excellent
diaracter, and of about his own age; and, shortly after, he purchased a
plantation a few miles from Sunbury, to which he gave the name of Spring*
fidi. After continuing in his school about five years, he removed with Us
femily to his plantation, in consequence of findbg that his health suffered
from the excessive labour which the two offices of minister and teacher
devolved upon him. He, however, in compliance with the urgent solidta-
WILLIAM XoWHIB. ^J
tion of hb ineadB, soon opened a aeleot eofaool at SpringfieUL For a while
he oontinued to preach at Sanbuiy, but, as the sohool became large, he
held religiona services on the Sabbath at Springfield. This school he kept
up for seyeral years, until the labour and responsibility became so great
that he resolved once more to abandon teaching.
Still, however, he was not willing to lead an inactive life ; and the great
destitntion of the means of grace in the surrounding region impressed him
with the obligation still to preach, as he had opportunity. About the year
1809, he commenced preaching at the Court House in Mcintosh County,
about twelve miles from Darien ; where, in the midst of great darkness and
the most yiolent opposition to reUgion, he succeeded in organising a church.
His labours here were almost entirely gratuitous. From this station he
went to. Darien, where he laboured for some time; and after the building
of a new place of worship, the Mcintosh Church was transferred to the
latter place.
An event now occurred in the life of Mr. McWhir, which, to those who
have followed his history to this point, will be a matter of no little sur^
prise. Notwithstanding he had always been a minister, in regular stand-
ing, of the Presbyterian Church, he had been, even from the time that he
commenced his education, privately a Unitarian. Having occasion to re-ex-
amine the Scriptures, about the year 1812, with a view to prove their Divine
authority, he was led to take a new view of the doctrines which they con-
tain, and, at no distant period, became thoroughly satisfied that the creed
which he had before only professed to receive, really embodied the true
sense of the Word of God. This change of religious opinion led of course
to a corresponding change in his preaching, which did not escape the obser-
vaUon of tiiose to whom he ministered.
In September, 1804, there was a tremendous hurricane, which desolated
the coast of Georgia, sweeping directly over his plantation, and occasion-
ing him a loss of about fourteen thousand dollars. Being now urged to
take charge again of the Academy at Sunbury, he did so, — partly with a
view to repur his fortunes. After a few years, he relinquished it again,
on account of his health ; but again returned to it, and continued his con-
nection with it a while longer. On leaving it the third time, he gave up
teaching as a profession, though he occasionally received a few pupils to
instruct in a private way.
In 1819, he suffered a severe affliction in the death of his wife. After
this, his health being much enfeebled, he determined on a visit to his native
country. Accordingly, in the spring of 1820, having attended the sessions
of the General Assembly at Philadelphia, he sailed for Liverpool, and,
after remaining there a short time, passed on to London, where he was
knocked down in the street by robbers, and so severely injured as to be
confined to his room for a month. Thence he went to Ireland, and visited
the few of his relatives and acquaintances that remained after the lapse of
forty years; and, in the spring of 1821, proceeded to Scotland where he
had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Dr. Chalmers, and being
present at the sessions of tibe General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
He returned to the United States in the autumn of that year, with reno-
yated health.
In 1824, in consequence of a representation which had been made to
him of the deplorable destitution of the means of grace in East Florida, ^
Vol ni. 56
142 PBBSBYTEBIAK.
was indnoed to yisii Sk Augiutiiiet with a Tieir to make an effort for tke
promotion of tbe Bedeemer'a Kingdom. He aooordiogly oonatitnted a
Freabyterian Church, and ordained elders there; and, for several years aflter
this, was engaged in ooUeoting the requisite fimds for buQding a chnroh 6di-
fioe; and, in due time, he had the pleaaure to see the object accomplished.
From 1827 to 1886, he was engaged in supplying yacant churches in
Bryan, Liberty, and Mcintosh Counties, and in Tarious efforts for the pro-
motion of the cause of education. In 1888, he disposed of his homestead,
and went to Savannah, where he remained more than a year. He then
accepted an invitation from his friend Major William J. Mcintosh, of
Bryan County, to reside in his fiftmily ; and he actually lived there till 1847,
when he returned to Savannah, and fixed his home in the &mily of his
grandson, (by marriage,) Edwurd J. Harden, Esq. At the age of nearly
ninety, he became a volunteer colporteur of the American Tract Society,
and continued in this service till he was too feeble to labour. For several
years previous to his death, he was unable to preach ; but he never lost his
interest in religious meetings, and was a regular attendant at ohurdi, even
down to the Sabbath immediately preceding his death. He died at the
house of a firiend in Liberty County, in perfect peace, on the 81st of Jan-
uary, 1861, in the ninety-second year of his age. His funeral was attended
at Midway Church, whence, in accordance with his own expressed wish, his
remuns were carried to Sunbury, and buried beside those of his wife. In
the disposal of his property, which was not large, he made several bequests to
charitable institutions. He lefb no descendant, and no relative in this country.
• The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Franklin
College, in Goorgia, in 1882.
FROM THE RBV. 0. 0. JOKES, D. D.
BxciBOBO', Liberty Gonoty, Ga., March 21, 1866.
My dear Sir: I knew Dr. MoWhir in my childhood, as a friend and frequent
visitor in our femily, and was afterwards a pupil in his school. He was one of
my examiners when received into the Presbytery of Georgia, and also when
ordained by that Body. The friendship which be had entertained for my parents,
he transferred to their son, and we were, for some twenty years^ on terms of
intimacy and confidential friendship.
He was a man of medium stature, of good proportions, muscular and quick
in his movements, and with uncommon powers of endurance. He had a pure
Irish fiuse, and having been disfigured in childhood by the small-pox, was homely,
and, becoming prematurely bald and gray, he carried the appearance inhiscoim-
tenance of a man advanced in years, when he was not as yet past middle life.
His personal habits were the.neatest imaginable. I do not remember ever hav-
ing seen him dressed otherwise than as a gentleman and a deigyman. He pcs-
sessed great self-respect, and a high appreciation of his office. He desired always
to be recognised and treated as a clergyman. He never himself forgot, nor
suffered others to forget, that he was one. His manners in the fiunily, and in
his association with all classes, were uncommonly polished and dignified, and
aside from the politeness which appeared natural to him, he was formed upon
the model of a gentleman seen in the Old Dominion at the period of the Bevo-
lution.
Dr. McWhir exacted in sodety much attrition, but it was ftilly returned, and
seemed a spontaneous movement, on his part, to preserve that elevation of man-
ners, and that mutual respect, which add so great a charm to the interoourae of
WILLIAM MtoWSSR. 4^
life. He was the most perfectly social man I have ever known. Wann and sin-
oere in his attachments, it was a real heartfelt pleasure to him to he in the sociefy
of his friends J and to mingle with men of distinction; and his effort was, hj
cheerfulness of spirit and ready and easy powers of conversation, to oonyert the
hour, or the day, as the case might he, into one of high social and friendly enjoy-
ment. Fond of children, they never escaped his notice.
In intellectaal power, he was perhaps not superior to the general miass of hfs
hrethren; yet an excellent scholar, well grounded in Latin and Greek, and in the
usual hranches of English education; and had no superior in his day as a teachet
and a disciplinarian. His reputation as such was unhounded, and he is remem-
hered more as a teacher and a friend of education and patron of learnings than as
a minister; although he ranked among our first Presbyterian ministers, and bore
his part reputably in the early efforts to establish our Church in the State* Of
real courage and of mercurial temperament, of a high sense of honour and Jus-
tice, and of strict integrity, energetic and prompt in decision and actioii, his
schools were alwayv models of morality and of order. He was a terror to evil-
doers. No fear of personal consequences to himself, nor femily connections, npr
wealth, nor friendly relations, nor poverty on the part of his pupils, served to
screen the guilty. He used the rod sparingly, but when necessary, most effect-
ively. He was long a teacher, and educated fethers and their sons. Scholars
were sent to him from all parts of the State; and, when engaged in teaching, he
travelled in our own country, and in En^nd, and Scotland, and Ii^laQd, to
perfect himself, and to become master of improvements in that great art. His
energy and perseverance were such as secured him success in whatever he under-
took. Never having studied Theology systematically, and coming, as he beUevedi
to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Ohrist, some years after his .migration
to the United States, and when the period of study with him was waning, and
much of his time occupied by teaching, and constant engagements ad^cirse to
dose application, he could not be ranked among accomplished theolog^ns, —
although he was firmly settled upon the doctrines of our Confession of Faith.
He adhered conscientiously to the Old School branch of our Church, through
.every trial and difficulty. His preaching, after I knew him, partook more of
the practical and hortatory, than the doctrinal. He had a habit of yielding to
his feelings in preaching, and most commonly was affected to teara. He contri-
buted liberally to idl our benevolent Societies and objects, while he had a special
interest in the circulation of the Scriptures, and in our missionary operations,
both at home and abroad. He was one of the earliest advocates of the Temper-
ance Reformation, and adhered to its principles to the day of his death. Towards
the dose of life, his heart was more than ordinarily interested in the progress
of the Qospel on the earth, and in its success he greatly r^oiced. His ridding
was chiefly religious and devotional, and he seemed to be rapidly maturing for
Heaven. The lamp of life literally burnt to the socket, and mind and. bpdy
wasted away in extreme age unto death. My last conversation with him, which
occurred not many weeks before his death, found him fixed upon the " Bock of
Ages.*' Said he, '' My dear Friend, I cannot say that I have the faith of assur-
ance, but I think I can say I have an assured hope.'*
Wishing you success and usefdiness in your work,
I am very truly youra in our Lord,
0. 0. JOKBS^
4^4 rBSSBTTBBIAV
WILLIAM BOYD •
1788—1807.
William Botd wu the gnmdBon of Bobert Boyd, who was a DaUve of
Booiland, and, during a period of peneoation m that countxy, fled to Ire-
land. He was a son of John Bojd, who was bom in Ireland, but, after
he had reached his maturity, remoyed with hia funilj to Amerioa, and
aetiled in Franklin Oounty, Pa. Here William Boyd was bom in the year
1768. When he was about fifteen years of age, his father was taken from
him by death ; and about the same time he became deeply impressed with
religious things, and experienood, as he believed, the renewing influences of
Divine grace. His mind was now directed towards the midstty of the
Oospel; and, though his patrimony was small, he succeeded, by some
means, in obtaining a liberal educadon. Whether he took the whole four
years' course at Princeton, or entered an advanced class, does not appear ;
but he was graduated in 1778, in a class which numbered but four beside
himself— its smallness being no doubt attributable to the fact that that was
the period of the Bevolution, when fighting was more in vogue than study-
ing, and a College was a less attractive place than a battle field.
After leaving College, he was engaged for two or three years in teaching, —
flrst an Academy in the mty or vicinity of Annapolis, and then a fiimUy
school in the neighbourhood of Baltimore. In connection with teaching,
he pursned a course of theolc^oal study, and was licensed to preach the
Qc^l in 1788, by the Presbytery of Donegal, under the direction of which
he continued till he ^tered that of New Brunswick. He remained for
some time unsettled, preaohmg as Providence directed, in Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, and New York ; and his early ministrations were received with
great &vour, and attended with a manifest blessing. He was applied to by
several important churches to settle over them ; but he seems to have been
afndd of the temptations involved in having a city charge ; and besides, his
taste led him to seek a more retired field ^ labour. The people of Lam-
ington, N. J., having occasionally heard him preach, at length extended a
eaU to him to become their Pastor ; and, having accepted their call, he was
ordained and installed on the 20th of October, 1784. Here he exercised
his ministry till the close of his life.
In the year 1800, he was elected a Trustee of the College of New Jersey,
and odntinued to hold the oi&oe while he lived.
Mr. Boyd, during the last twenty years of his life, never enjpyed
vigorous health, and several times had some alarming symptoms of con-
sumption ; though he was able to go through the ordinary routine of minis-
terial duty without much Interraption. Barly in March, 1807, he had been
appointed, by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, to preach to a vacant
congregation in the neighbourhood. In fulfilling this appomtment, he
suffered f^m the severity of the weather, and, on his return home, was
soiled with an obstinate feter, whidi was the means of developing more
fully the affection of the lungs whidi had troubled him so long. He con-
tinued gradually to dedine for about two montha— iill the 17th of Hay,
• Avp. to Uft cf Ber. Botet nsi^^ D. B.
WILLIAM BOYD. 445
when hiB earthly pilgrimage olosed. During his last weeks and daja, he
exhibited an e^ying example not only of Ohriatian resignation, bat of
Ohrtetian triumph. Soon alter the eommenoement of his more serious
illness, he remarked to some friend — ^*I have for many years felt this
Weakness growbg upon me ; I have a long time apprehended that I should
fall a Tiotim to it ; and now the time is coming." Being asked whether, if
suoh were the appointment of God, he was ready to depart, he replied —
**I have been examining myself, and searohbg out the eridence of my
being in a state of grace, and upon the whole, I feel pretty well satisfied
that I have really undergone a gracious change ; and I am therefore willing
to submit to God, knowing that his own time and way are best." With
nearly his last breath, he exclaimed — '*I am not afiraid to die."
A Sermon was preached at his Funeral by the Bcv. (afterwards Dr.)
Robert Vinley, and was published.
Mr. Boyd was married, shortly after his settlement, in 1784, to a Miss
Taylor, daughter of Colonel Taylor, who lived in the vicinity of Us resi-
dence. She died several years before her husband. They had six children,
four of whom survived their father.
FBOM THE BET. JOHK KoDOWELL, D. D.
PHUjLDaiiPRiA, 11th June, 1852.
Dear Sir: The Bev. William Boyd of whom you wish me to fhmiah my recol-
lectioDS, was the minister of my father's family, and the first minister of whom
I have any remembrance. I used to say my Catechism to him in my childhood,
and I always sat under his preaohiDg until I left home for OoU^. My recolleo-
tions of him extend down to the period of his death, which occurred after I had
been in the ministry two or three years.
What would first strike you on seeing Mr. Boyd, especially in connection with
the pidpit, was bis remarkable ^vity and dignity; and yet he was capable of
unbending in tree and pleasant intercourse. His appearance on the Sabbath
impressed my youthful mind almost as if he had been an angel. He walked in
and oat of the church, looking directly before him, and never turning to the
right band or the left, unless there was some special occasion for it. There was
an air of solemnity about him, that made you fbel that he was a man pf God;
and this impression was so strong, that, before he opened his lips in the pulpit,
you felt yourself pledged to listen reverently to whatever he might say. He was
considerably above the medium height, and bad a fine intellectutl expression of
countenance. His mind was cast in a superior mould. His memory was
unusually retentive, his perceptions quick and clear; his judgment accurate, and
his literary and general acquirements fkr more than respectable. He had a vein
of keen wit, which he bronght into exercise on suitaUe occasions, but never in a
way to disparage in the least his ministerial character. His rich and varied
attainments, and his happy power of adaptation, rendered him at once agreeable
and instructive in any company.
Mr. Boyd was distinguished fbr an uncommon knowledge of the Scriptures.
In his theological views, he was a thorough and earnest Calvinist, and was
little tolerant of .innovations, while yet he had no relish for controversy, and
never engaged m it, unless impelled by a strong sense of duty. I remember
that, in a conversation which he had with me on this subject, shortly after I
b^;an to preach, he remarked that he would give me one piece of adrice;— and
that was, never to raise a ghost, unless I was sure that I was able to lay him.
Mr. Boyd undoubtedly took rank aknong the best preachers of New Jersey.
He never used notes in the pulpit— at least nothing more than a brief; and I do
446 PBESBTTEBIAV.
Bot think that h« wm MCUBtomed fbllj to write ont his stmuniB. Still, he
always preached to the intelligeBce of hig hearerg, and his thoughts were well
matored and luminously presented. His manner, as a public speaker, was
animated and earnest, and well fitted to secure attention. I think he had no
great taste or tact for public business, and my impression is that he had little to
do with^cdenastical bodies.
Tours truly,
JOHN MoDOWSLL.
JOSEPH CLAEK, D. D *
178a— 1818.
JossPH Olabk was born near Elisabethtown, N. J., October 21, 1761.
His. parents were both persons of great worth, and his mother especially
was distinguished for her piety. It was chiefly through the influence of his
mother's instructions and example, that bis mmd early took a decidedly
religious direction. While he was yet a youth, he was admitted a member
of tbe Presbyterian Oburcb in Elisabethtown, under the ministry of the
Boy. James Caldwell.
Mr. Clark was trained to the carpenter's trade, but, after he bad passed his
twentieth year, he resohed to become a minister of the Gospel. He had many
difficulties to contend with, but, by great patience and perseTerance, he over-
o&nie them all. His progress was not a little retarded by the confusion occsr
sioned by the American Bevolution. When the British entered New Jersey,
he was a member of Princeton College ; but he nevertheless joined the Amer-
ican army, and continued, for a considerable time, in the serrice of his coun-
try. He then returned and completed his collegiate course, and was admit-
ted to tbe degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1781, just at the close of his twenty-
ninth year. He immediately entered upon his course of theological study^
under the direction of the Bev. Dr. Woodhull of Monmouth, at the same
time assisting the Doctor in conducting a highly respectable grammar school,
which had been established through his instrumentality.
Having gone through the usual course of study prescribed to candidates
for the sacred office, he was licensed to preach tiie Oospel on the 28d of
April, 1788, by the Presbytery of New Brunswick. On the 21st of Oeto-
her following, he was appointed as a stated supply, for six months, to. the
yaoaot Congregation of Allentown, N. J. On the 16th of June, 1784, he
was ordamed, sine titulo^ to the work of the ministry, by the Presbytery
of New Brunswiok. Shortly after this, the people of Allentovm extended
a call to him to become their pastor ; but, though he laboured statedly
among them from thaf time, he did not regularly accept their call untU
June, 1788, when bis installation took place.
Here Mr. Clark oontintied, growing in the affections of his people, and
the good-Will and confidence of his brethren in the ministry, tOl Januaiy,
1796, when he was regularly translated from the pastoral charge of the
CongrQgatio^ in Allentown^ to that of the Congregation in New Brunswiok,
wher0 he continued till the close of lifb. «
' •Aj^.ioLlf«of ttBV.RolMk'Fiiil^yl).!).— ksJfkmB^^
JOSEPH OLARK. 447
In the yean 1798 and 1799, the state of our Western frontier, and the
destitute condition of many oongr^;ations in different parts of the oonntry,
became an object of attention and interest with the General Assembly, and
with many prominent individuals in the Presbyterian Church. In the year
1800, the General Assembly fully matured their views on the subject, and
appointed several agents, of whom Mr. Clark was one, to solicit donations,
in various parts of the country, with a view to carry their benevolent pur-
poses into ^ect. Mr. Clark addressed himself to the duties of his agency
with great vigour, and collected upwards of seven thousand dollars, — a sum
exceeding, by nearly two thirds, the greatest amount collected by either of
his associates in the agency. He was, at the same time, performmg very
important service in referenoe to the same object, in connection with his
' own Presbytery.
In the year 1799, Mr. Clark was appointed by the General Assembly, in
connection with several otiier gentiemen, to meet the General Synod of the
Associate Reformed Church, in refereuce to their receiving and ratifying the
system of correspondence and bteroourse between the Associate Reformed,
Reformed Dutch, and Presbyterian, Churches in the United States, which
had been prepared and reported by a joint committee from these several
sections of the Church, and unanimously agreed to by the preceding General
Assembly. The effort, however, proved unsuccessful.
In March, 1802, the edifice, library, and philosophical apparatus, of the
College of New Jersey were destroyed by fire. Here again, Mr. Clark's
labours were put in requisition for collecting funds to repair the very exten-
sive loss. He travelled into the interior of Yirginia, and made liberal col-
lections for his object, but his labours were prematurely interrupted by a
serious illness, wUch obliged him to suspend all active exertion for a con-
siderable time.
In 1802, he was elected a member of the Corporation of the College of
New Jersey, and continued to ^charge the duties of the office with great
seal and fidelity to the close of life. He was also, for many successive
years, a member of the Committee of Missions, which acted by the appoint-
ment, and under the direction, of the (General Assembly.
In 1809, he was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Divmity from Jef-
ferson College^
Dr. Clark had at best a feeble constitution and imperfect health ; but he
was nevertheless among the most active ministers of his day. For a short
time previous to his death, he had suffered from some increase of indispo-
sition ; but the evening before, he seemed much bettor, and had retired to
rest with the expectation of settmg off early the next morning to meet the
Synod of New York and New Jersey. His wife, having her attention drawn
to him by something unusual, hastened to his bedside, and found him in the
agonies of death. Medical aid was instantly called, but it was unavailing —
it was found that violent spasms had stopped the motion of his vital powers.
He died on the 19th of October, 1818.
Dr. Clark's only publications were a Sermon occasioned by the death of the
Hon.: William Patterson, 1806, and two Discourses in the New Jersey
Preacher, 1818.
.He was married, not long after his first settlement in the ministry^ to a
Miss Imley, of Allentown, sister of the Hon. James H. Imley, who Wis- for
some time a Representative in Congress from New Jersey, lliey had' four
448 PBSSBTTKBUir.
ehfldren, — one daughter and three sons. The eldetft son was a oUrgjmntf
the eeoond a lawyer, and the third a phjaioiaa. The eldest, John Plaodf
was graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1807, holding rank among
the first scholars b his class. After his graduation, he was engaged for
some time in teaching in the State of Oeorgia. He commenced the stndj
of Divinity in the Theological Seminary at Andoyer ; but, before his course
was completed, was chosen Tutor in his Alma Mater at Princeton, and held
the office three years, still pursuing his theological course under Dr. Green*
President of the College, fie wis licensed to preach the Oospel by the
Presbytery of New Brunswick, and by the same Presbytery was subse-
quently ordained and installed Pastor of the united Congregations of Flem-
ington and Amwell. This connection continued more than twenty years.
He was afterwards settled at Patterson, N. J., and was called thenoe to
take charge of the Presbyterian Congregation of Cold Spring, Putnam
County, N. Y. Leaving Cold Spring, he was for about one year at Oyster
Bay, L. I., and then accepted a call from the Presbyterian Congregation of
Fishkill, Dutchess County, N. T. — he was installed May 18, 1847, and con-
tinued there till his death, which took place in 1858. He had the reputation
of being a benevolent and ezoellent man, and an able and faithful minister.
f BOM THE 'SET. ISAAC Y. BBOWIT.
TasiTov, December 9, 1864.
Dear Sir: The Rev. Dr. Joseph Clark of New Brunswick, concerning whom
you ask fbr my recollections, was one of the three or four most intelligent, active
and influential ministers of the Qospel in this State, and so continued till his
death. I had the best opportunities for knowing him in public and in private.
I sat under his ministry more than a year. Being the teacher of his three sons,
in connection with Bishop Oroes, I was often in his fiunily; and while he was
absent, collecting taada for Princeton Ooll^, then recently burnt to the ground,
I uniformly at night occupied a room in his house. Mrs. Clark was very amia-
ble, kind and ez<»llent, but very timid; and having four children in early years,
and only female help, she needed some protection.
Dr. Clark possessed a mind originally of a superior order, and enlarged and
accompUshed by much reading and study. Such was the peculiar character of
his mind, that he was eminently qualified to be a sucoessfhl agent in business
implicating the characters^ involving the interests, and touching the sensibilities
and passions, of men. He was independent and firm in his exercise of thought,
and accustomed to rely very much on his own Judgment; and, without appear-
ing to be ambitious, presuming, or self-confident, he was always ready and for-
ward to aid, and if need be, to direct, in any great and good work. He had
much to do in accomplishing several important public objects ui his day.
In the pulpit he was always solemn, dignified and instructive. His discourses
were soUd and Judicious, and well fitted to leave a lastmg impression on the mind
of the attentive hearer. His representations of Scripture doctrine were
thoroughly Calrinistic; but they were also in a high degree practical. His elo-
cution was deliberate, and, on ordinary occasions, on account of the weakness
of his lungs, he spoke with no great animation; but there were times when he
seemed to rise above his bodily debility, and to display not a little of the spirit
and energy of the Christian orator.
In debate, he had a remazkable talent both to semtiniie and to defeat the
arguments and aims of his adversary. He had promptness without arrogance in
advandng, and firmness without obstinacy or ostentation in maintaining, his
JOSEPH GLABK. ^9
opinions. If he had inadyertently deyiated from order, or oommitted an error
in his statements, it seemed to give him pleasure, when reminded of it, eren by
the most inconsiderable of his brethren, to make acknowledgment and reparation.
The opinions and arguments of opponents in discussion he treated with the
utmost respect. On the introduction of a new subject, he did not employ the
artifice sometimes resorted to by those who aim only at triumph in debate, of
waiting in silence to discoyer the popular impulse, that he might the more cer-
tainly espouse the successfhl side of the question— on the contrary, be was often,
on such occasions, one of the first speakers; and, instead of betraying himself
into the power of his antagonists for the want of preyious thought, he generally
showed himself prepared to speak at once appropriately and effectively.
hi the details of business, few men probably have surpassed him. In giving
thought an eligible form on paper for any specific purpose; in drawing an article
of agreement between hostile parties; in sketching a resolution or rq>ort, or per-
forming any kindred service, on a sudden emergency, he seemed to have an intui-
tive perception of what the occasion required. He was patient, inde&tigable
and accurate, far beyond what is usual even with men of his high character and
standing.
Dr. Olark possessed extraordinary colloquial powers, and a strong relish for
cultivated society; and his extensive and various information, his easy address
and fiicility at communication, rendered him an uncommonly instructive and
agreeable companion. In his person, he was of fVill the medium stature, but
slender; his complexion was fair; his eyes sharp and blue; his hair light and
not very abundant. In his manners, he exhibited a due proportion of dignity
and fiimiliarity, candour and affection. In all his walk through liib, with the
politeness and affability of the man of literature and the gentleman, he mingled
that purity of conversation and that savour of devotion, which ought ever to
characterise a minister of Jesus Ohrist. Hospitality always presided at his
board. He welcomed the society of the excellent, the intelligent and honourable
of every denomination, of all ranks, and from erery quarter. He could accom-
modate himself with great ease to every kind of company, whether cultivated or
uncultivated, and knew how to make persons of every description easy and
happy in his presence and in his fiimily. His memory well deserves to be
honoured and embalmed.
I am, my dear Sir, truly yours,
ISAAC V. BBOWN.
Vol. in. 67
460 PRBSBTTEBIAir;
CHABLES NISBET, D. D •
1786—1804.
Ohablis N18BIT, the third son of WiUiam and Aliaon Nisbet, was bom
at Haddington, in Sootland, Janoarj 21, 1786. His elder brother, Andrew,
waif a ininiBter of the Established Church, and was settled in the parish of
(Hrrald, in the Presbytery of Haddington. Of the oooupation and oironm-
stanoes of his fiither little more is known than that they were not sach as
to enable him to defray the expenses of his son*s ednoation beyond a bare
preparation for the University. Bat, notwithstanding the son was thns early
cast upon his own resonroes, bo intense was his thirst for knowledge, that
he was enabled to accomplish his favourite object with comparatively little
difficulty. He enteired the University of Edinburgh in 1762, and at the
same time made an engagement as a private tutor, by means of which he was
enabled to meet the expenses of hb whole college course. He is supposed
to have graduated in the year 1764, in the eighteenth year of his age.
From the University he passed immediately to the Divinity Hall in Edin-
burgh, where he continued a diligent and snccessful student six years;
during which time he supported himself chiefly by his contributions to one
of the popular periodicals of the day. There stal\ remain among his private
papers some records of his religioas exercises at tliat time, which show that,
it he was enthusiastically devoted to Theology as a scienu^ he was never-
theless an earnest and devout Christian. He was licensed to preach the
Gospel, by the Presbytery of Edinburgh, on the 24th of September, 1760.
His first engagement, as a stated preacher, was with the Church in the
Gorbals of Glasgow. The congregation stipulated, in aAditioo to the salary
promised in their call, to furnish him with a house ; but, as he had no
family, to occupy a house, they fiuled to fulfil this part of their engagement.
After having remained with them about two years, he received a call from
the Church in Montrose, which he thought proper to accept. On taking
leave of his congregation, he, with his wonted aptness, preached to them
from Acts xxviii. 80-—** And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired
house, and received all that came in unto him."
The Church of Montrose was a large and intelligent one, and the right of
patronage of the parish was vested in George the Third. Mr. Nisbet was
ordained on the 17th of May, 1764, by the Presbytery of Brechin, within
the bounds of which he had his pastoral charge. Notwithstandmg he
was settled as co-pastor with the Bev. John Cooper, yet the advanced
age and consequent infirmities of his colleague devolved upon him nearly
the whole amount of pastoral duty. He addressed himself to his work,
however, with great energy and success, and quickly won not only the
respect, but the admiration, of his extensive and influential charge.
About two years after his settlement in Montrose, he was married to
Anne, daughter of Thomas Tweedie, of Quarter, about thirty miles South
of Edinburgh. An attachment had existed between them for twelve years ;
but their marriage had been postponed from prudential considerations.
Another distinguished personage was married at Montrose about the 1
• Memoir hj Dr. Hffler. — Commniiieatlon tnm B«t. Dr. Bobot Pkondit.
CHARLES mSBET. 452
time ; and m they were both btimaie friendB of the oelebnied Dr. Beattie,
Professor at Aberdeen, he composed on the oooasion a beantifol poem which
he styled Epithalamium Montrosiatmm,
Not long after Mr. Nisbet's settlement at Montrose, Dr. Witherspoon,
then Pastor of the Ohorch at Paisley, was chosen to snooeed Dr. Finley as
PresidcDt of Princeton Oollege. His first impression was that he oonld
not accept; and his first answer was in the negative. Bnt Mr. Nisbet,
though at that time only thirty-one years of age, was the person whom Dr.
Witherspoon recommended as more suitable to fill that important station
than any other within his knowledge. The Doctor, however, on more
mature reflection, concluded to accept the place ; and though his answer in
the negative had already been communicated to the Trustees of the Oollege,
yet, on receiving an intimation of a change in his views, they immediately
renewed the appointment, and he forthwith signified his acceptance of it.
Witherspoon had had something to do in conducting Nisbet's early studies ;
and they always remained firm friends until death separated them.
It is well known that, at the time when Mr. Nisbet entered the ministry,
the Church of Scotland was divided into two parties, — the orthodox and
the moderate^ — a division, which, it is believed, is recognised, to some
extent at least, to thb day. Mr. Nisbet was uniformly and decisively asso-
ciated with the orthodox party ; and though that party was then consider^
ably in the minority, yet, in several instances, with the vigorous co-operation
of Dr. Withetspoon, he made himself deeply felt in the General Assembly,
and even suooeeded in carrying certain measures which were regarded as
adverse to the interests of the opposite party. One or two of his speeches
in the Assembly have been preserved, which may be considered as models
of elpquence in an ecclesiastical deliberative assembly ; unless perhaps some
might think them more highly spiced with wit than consists with the decorum
due to such an oooasion.
In the year 1771, Mr. Nisbet wrote a review of Wesley*s System of doc-
trine, which was, at that time, attracting considerable attention from the
theologians of Scotland. The article, — which, however, was not published
till several years afterwards,— discovers a remarkably comprehensive and
discriminating mind, though it deals with both the system and its author
with no inconsiderable severity. Had it beeu written at a later period, it
has been thought by a competent judge, who kuew the writer well, that it
would have borne a somewhat different character.
Mr. Nisbet, in common with many other distinguished men of his coun-
try, justified the claims cf the American Colonies, which brought on the
war of the Bevolution. And, in the progress of the struggle, he hesitated
not boldly to proclaim his views, both in public and in private ; and some-
times with such scathing irouy, that the partisans of government, while
they could hardly repress a smUe, were yet burning with indignation. He
showed himself also the earnest friend of reform in the Established Church.
The Patronage Act especially he opposed with great seal, and in 1X82 he
drew up a series of resolutions which were adopted at a large meeting in
Montrose,— -designed to procure the repeal of that Act, and restore to the
Churches the right to choose their own ministers. But, notwithstanding he
was so often found, in reference to matters of Church, and of State, and of
both united, on the unpopular side, his varied talents and acquirements, in
112 FBBSBTTBBIiOr.
oOHMoCioii witii liktekn^wlodged ' Bteling ihtegrity and w6rtb, kaonnd U
him a Tery l^eriAuid mtbttUntial popiilftrity.
In 1788, the degree of Doctor <^ Divinity wm conferred npon him bj
the Trustees of ' Princeton Oollege ;-^an honour which, it is said, weald
probably have been conferred by the same institution at an earlier period^
but for the temporary interruption of friendly intercourse between this coun-
try and Oreat Britain, occasioned by the war of the Eeyolution.
In 1788, a new College was founded at CarliBle, Pa., called Dickinson
Collegei in honour of the celebrated statesman, John Dickinson, who, at least
nominally, took the lead in its establbhment. In April, 1784, Dr. Nisbet
was chosen President of this institution ; and his acceptance of the office
was trged by Mn Dickinson, Dr. Bush, and others, with great importunity.
He WAS quite aware that the enterprise must inTolye serious difficulties;
though there were some of which he was not, and could not be, aware till
he should learn them by experience. After having had the invitation some
time before himi and looked at it in various and somewhat conflicting lights,
he, at length, in opposition to the judgment of many of his best friends,
signified his acceptance of it ; and shortly after set about preparing for his
Toyage to America.
He sailed from Greenock with his fsmily, on the 28d of April, 1786, and
landed at Philadelphia on the 9th of June fDllowing. He brought with
him his wife, two sons, and two daughters ; having buried four children pre-
vious to Us leaving Scotland. After remaining a few weeks in the fimiily
of Dr. Bush, at Philadelphia, and in the mean time making a riiort visit to
his old frieiid Dr. Witherspoon, at Princeton, he set out for Oarlble, and
reached it amidst the usual patriotic demonstrations of the Fourth of July.
He was received by the assembled multitude with the most marked testi-
monies of respect; and, on the next day, was formally inducted to his new
office. His Inaugural Diroourse, — the only Discourse he ever allowed to
be printed, — was designed to illustrate the importance of the union between
learning and piety. • It was considered as well worthy of its able and accom-
plished author.
Scarcely had Dr. Nisbet entered on the duties of his office, before he and
several of his hmUj were attacked with a violent fever, from which thmr
recovery was very difficult and gradual. The Doctor himself suffered more
seyerely than the rest ; and, after a confinement of several months, during
which he was utterly inadequate to any mental or bodily exertion, he had so
br yielded to discouragement as to resolve on returning to his native coun-
try. He, therefore, on the 18th of October succeeding his arrival, tend-
ered to the Board of Trustees of the College the resignation of his office;
which, however deeply regretted by them, they, on the whole, fell con-
strabed to accept. Aj the season was unfavourable to a voyage across the
ocean, he determined to postpone his return until spring; and, in the mean
time, he had so hx regained hii health and spirits, that he consented to be
re-appointed to his office; and, accordingly, on the 10th of Hay^ 1786|.he
was unanimously elected, a second time. President of the Oollege* lliougk
it was some time before his health was frdly restored^ yet it mtm never-after-
wards seriously interrupted, till the approach of the malady that,* many
years after, dosed his life* * i
As soon SiS his health would warrant his return tovigorous labour^ he not
only resumed hb official duties, but pursued them to an extent which would
CHARLES KISBET. ^^3
lia^ seemed sn oyer-onateli for any coBBiitotioD. He .immediately oom-
meneed the preparation and deliyery of fonr different oonnes of LeetaTeB;-7-
one on Logic; another on the Philosophy of the Mind; a third on Moral
Philosophy; and a fourth on Belles Lettres, inolnding interesting yiews of
the principal Latin andOreek classics. Each of these lectures was written,
so fiiV atf it was written at all, on the evening immediately preceding the
deliyery ; bat his mind was snch a storehouse of well digested and admira-
bly arranged material, pertuning to eyery subject, that a few hints only,
committed to paper, were all the preparation that he needed for a meetiiig
with his class.
In addition to the amount of labour already referred to, he yielded to a
request of seyeral of the graduates of the College, who had in yiew the
Christian ministry, to giye them a course of lectures on Systematic The-
ology. He was accustomed to deliyer one of these lectures eyery day in
the week, except Saturday and Sunday, while the College was in session;
and the whole course consisted of four hundred and eighteen lectures, and
extended through a period of somewhat more than two years. They were
all written out, and read with great deliberation, so that each student might
take them down from the lips of the lecturer. He did not claim for them
the merit of entire originality, but frankly told his students that he ayailed
himself freely of the writings of the most approved theological authors.
After this course was completed, he delivered another, consistbg of twenty-
two lectures, on the Pastoral Office ; and these also were taken down by
the students in the same manner as the others.
Besides his onerous labours in connection with the College, he regularly
preached in the Presbyterian Church in Carlisle, alternately with the Bey»
Dr. Davidson, who was at that time its Pastor. His services here, as well
as in the College, were yery generally and highly appreciated.
At the first Commencement in the College, which occurred on the 26th
of September, 1787, there were nine young gentlemen admitted to the
degree of Bachelor of Arts; and the institution, in its constantiy increas-
ing prosperity, showed the influence of its distinguished head. It must be
admitted, however, that Dr. Nisbet's expectations in coming to this coun-
try were, by no means, fully answered. Notwithstandbg the great object
of the Bevolution had been gained in our national independence, yet the
intellectual, moral, and in some respects the civil, interests of the country
had suffered greatly in the struggle; and he found such a state of things
here as it was hardly poseible for him to anticipate. He came when the
elements were in a chaotic state, and were highly susceptible of the influ-
ence of any vigorous and plastic hand. His letters to his fri^Ads in Soot-
land breathe a feeling of disappointment ; btkt he was not unwilliug to sub-
mit to some inconvenience and self-denial for the sake of doing something
to mould the character of an infant nation.
In the spring of 1792, Dr. Nisbet paid a yisit to Governor Dickinson^
in honour of whom the College was named, and who then resided atxWil'?
mington, De« The Oovemor^ who felt himself in some degree reqKmsible
for unredeemed pledges .made to Dr. Nisbet, preyious toi jUskrasg^/Soot^
land, reeeiyed him wUh every ^mark of bospitdity and'respeatfbl atteotiot^t
and the yisii seems to hat^ been mutuaUy and hi^ygritifyingir "CA'th^
first esreninff iftel>^thirDootorAi'«rriydi'the eonversation'iittned.'evrtke pr6-
bftble effect of an eamestprosiseution of the stadyc^yf'the f)li>snal seittneee
464 FRBSBTTSRIAN.
on the religions cburaoter ; and raokwafl Uie impresmon made on die mind
of ihe Oovenior by the remarks of his diBtingniefa^ gnest, that, at the oloee
of the oonversation, he said to him, — *' Dootor, what yon have said wonld
form an inyalnable ootavo Tolnme. I would give a large sum to have it in
thai form.*' The Oovernor urged him to pay him an annual ybit ; and Dr.
Nisbet, shortly after his return home, reoeived notice that Mr. Dickinson
had deposited five hundred dollars in one of the banks of Philadelphia, sub-
jectto his order, to meet the expense of the visits which he had solicited.
The President was not slow to avail himself of this proffered generosity ;
and, accordingly, for several years afterwards, pud an annual and most
welcome visit to his distinguished friend. His journeys were always made
on horseback.
In the year 1798, Dr. Nisbet was subjected to some peculiar trials, in
consequence of what was called the " Whiskey Rebellion ; *' — a rebellion in
Pennsylvania, occasioned by the tax laid by the government of the United
States on ardent spirits. Feeling that it was one of those occasions on
which the pulpit had a right to be heard. Dr. Nisbet, while the tumultuous
scene was in progress, preached a sermon that was designed to discounte-
nance the rebellious procedure, and that contained some sarcastic allusions
that gave great offence to the insurgent party. A few days after, when a
company of the rebels came into Carlisle from the adjacent country, to erect
a Whiskey or Liberty. Pole, serious apprehensions were entertained that
Dr. Nisbet's house would be assailed by the mob ; and several respectable
individuals offered to remain in it, for the purpose of aiding in its defence,
if there should be occasion; but the Doctor declined their offer, on. the
ground that their presetice might serve to invite attack. The result, how-
ever, justified the apprehension of his danger ; for the mob were actually on
their way to accomplish a work of desimction upon his dweUing, when they
were met by some one who informed them that the Presideut's younger
daughter was seriously ill, and were persuaded, in consequence of this infor-
mation, to forego their coutemplated outrage.
Barly in January, 1804, Dr. Nisbet took a severe cold, which grew into
a fever and inflammation of the lungs, and finally terminated his life. He
died on the 18th of the month, after an illness of less than three weeks.
During the greater part of the time, his bodily sufferings were intense, but
his patience and fortitude were most exemplary. Even after he lost the
power of conversing with those arouud him, his mind was evidently absorbed
in communion with his God. He died with '* Holy, Holy, Holy," upon his
lips, wanting only three days of having completed the sixty-eighth year of
his age. His funeral was attended by a large concourse, who evinced the
most affectionate respect for hb memory, and an appropriate Sermon was
delivered on the occasion by the Bev. Dr. Davidson.
Dr. Nisbet left a widow who survived him more than three years, aiid
di^ in the hope of a better life, May 12, 1807. He left four children. The
eldest son, Thomas^ who had been graduated at the University of Edin-
burgh, died shortly after his father. His second son, Alexander^ after
graduating at Diddnson College, studied law, and seUled in Baltimore,
where, for many years, he has held the office of Judge of the Oity Court.
The eldest daughter, Jlfary, was married, in 1790» to William Tumbull,
Esq.; a native of Scotland, but at thai time a resident of Pittsburg, and
Survived her &iher about twenty yean. The youngest daughter; Alison^
CHARLES KISBET. 455
wbo was married to Dr. Samuel MoOoBkrj,an eminent physioian of Oarfiale,
in 1796, was left a widow in 1818, and is still (1849) living. Her oplj
surviving son is the Bt. Rev. Samuel MoCoskry, Bishop of the Protestant
Episcopal Ohuroh in the Diocese of Michigan.
Dr. Nisbet's valuable library, consisting of many of the rarest works, fell
into the hands of his two grandsons. Bishop McCoskry and Mr. Henry C.
TumbuU, who, with most commendable liberality, presented it to the Theo-
logical Seminary at Princeton.
Dr. jNisbet, while in Scotland, was in intimate relations with many distin-
guished individuals in that country, and he maintuned a constant corres-
pondence with several of them after he came to America. Among his most
devoted friends were the Countess of Leven, — ^a lady distinguished for her
intelligence and piety, the Earl of Buchan, — well known in this country as
Washington's correspondent, and the Bev. Dr. John Erskine of Edinburgh, —
for a long time a leader of the orthodox part of the Established Church.
The latter left as a legacy to Dr. Nisbet a considerable part of his library ;
but before the fact was known in this country, the venerable legatee had
departed.
FROM THE REV. SAMUEL MILLER, B. B.
PuirosTOir, April 80, 1849.
Rev. and dear Sir: Your proposal to include some account of the Rev. Dr.
Charles Nisbet, late President of 'Dickinson College, in your projected biogra-
phical, work, gives me much pleasure. And when you call upon me for some
reminiscences of that great and good man, I feel myself honoured and gratified.
You have called me not to the performance of a task, but to the enjoyment of a
privilege; for I can never think of his revered name, without a throb of venera-
tion, gratitude, and love, which it is not easy fully to express in language.
My acquaintance with this excellent and venerable man commenced in the
autumn of 1791. He had arrived in America from Scotland six years before;
had established a high reputation as President of a College; had delivered a
course of Lectures on Systematic Theology, which were deemed by the best
judges to be eminently able and instructive; and was extensively regarded as
the most learned divine of the Qnited States. These considerations induced me,
after having studied Theology two years with a beloved father, on his decease, to
spend a large part of the third under the counsel and guidance of Dr. Nisbet.
Accordingly, I went to Carlisle, spent a few months in the immediate vicinity
of his residence, and enjoyed opportunities of listening to his ins traction and
studying his character, which I shall always remember with grateful pleasure.
I regard very few of the months of my liib, as having been either so pleasantly
or profitably spent.
My Memoir of this eminent man, published a few years ago, contains the
results of my observation upon his character; and I know not how I can serve
your purpose better than by availing myself of some portions of that in my pre-
sent communication.
Dr. Nisbet's intellectual powers were universally acknowledged to be of a
very high order. That his memory was all but prodigious, and his wit seldom
equalled, all who knew him, with one voice, conceded. His memory extended
to words as well as things, and seemed to serve him without effort on all occa-
sions. This being the case, some may be ready to doubt whether one so remark-
able fbr the power of recalling past impressions, and of tracing unusnal and
striking associations of ideas, would be likely to be a sound or strong reasbner,
466 PBEaBTTBRIAH.
Bviliis l>6werJn>4tl|i^rji}dkaioriai pti 0$ OhnTAy^wi m^^^<i(MMmmm»it9m
well as nevenO. tilings whi^h havQ appe^redjQrom his peii» e^poiteUj.^lus Ji^iH?
of the system of llr. John Wesley, clearly e?inced that his retMSppiog powers, ftf
well as those of retention and imagtnationi were remarkably clear ai|4 Vifor^os*
The rapidity, as well as the ▼igour, of his mental operations, was notice^ as
striking by all who oonyersed with him. If controversy had more; strongly
called his reasoning talents into exercise, there can be no doubt that tliere would
baye been a dispUy of them of the most honoarable kind.
In love of knowledge and in solid leammg, this eminent man undoubtedly
exceeded even most of those denominated the learned men of his age. He had been
a devoted student from his boyhood. He read books, (as I have often had -occa-
sion to observe,) in half, if not one third, of the time, which it cost any
other person I ever saw. And he seemed to foi^get nothing that he read. Studies
of this kind could not M of leading to an accumulation of knowledge of the
rarest extent and value. He seemed to have read every book, and to have stud-
ied every subject, which the best informed person in his company could ever
mention. He perhaps more fully deserved the title that was given him before
he left Scotland, — a toalhing ii(riiry,— than any other man in the United
States.
His fiuDiiliarity with the Greek and Latin classics was especially remarkable.
Of this many striking proo& and examples were continually occurring. A sin-
gle one will suffice. Once, not long after his settlement in Carlisle, when he was
dining with a select literary circle, a lawyer of considerable eminence, who greatly
prided himself on his acquaintance with the Latin and Greek languages, was
of the company. In the course of conversation, this gentleman quoted several
lines in the original Greek from Homer's Iliad. When he had finished his quo-
tation, Dr. Nlsbet said to him, — *' Well, mon, go on; what you've left is just as
good as what you've taken." The gentleman cbnfessed that his memory did
not serve him for repeating more. The Doctor then began where he had ended,
and with the greatest ease repeated a considerable additional portion.
But his knowledge of languages was not confined to the Latin and Greek. He
was an excellent critic in Hebrew literature. He also read French, German,
Italian, Spanish and Portuguese— the two first named, with perfect eaee and famil-
iarity, and all in such a manner as to understand the scope, and to relish the
beauties, of the principal writers in those respective tongues. Here were nine
languages possessed and used by one man. To some of them he did not apply
his mind until late in life; and in making his acquisitions in this field, he pro-
ceeded almost entirely by his own unassisted efforts^ without! >enJoying any of
those facilities which much travel, large libraries, and the constant society and
aid of great li&guists, so richly afford.
As a Preacher, Dr. Nisbet's excellence was great and pciculiari In early life,
he was- in the habit of preparing for the pulpit by writing » portion, ^and some*
times a considerable portion, of what he intended to deUver. * But^.it waatofily
on special occasions that he wrote the whole. What he wrotei he^>eotimiio|ily
committed to memory^ /whioh^ with him, was a very short and^^eaSjiB' process.
Two or at mostthreeieadings^f that which had been recently wtHtenr, wcnld
enable him to repeaiit verbatim. He was probably never- known 'tOf^oarry a
paper, or any kind of help to his memory, into the polpit. - Such «mind needed
no such aid. After he came to America^ he wrote but tW6 sei^otis, one sft his
Inauguration as President ofi the College, which was printed, and the btliier on
the death of Washington, whiehi though solicited by many to be pnUishedi WW
never committed to the press.- • «t; . <w i ,
' in the later periods ^ h]s> lift, -when 'lenjogred the privilege; aoC ohiy of bilit^
kg him, but also ofbein|^^miicli witirhim hi pritite»])iis pripantitfn'^^lbli
polp^ seemed to oost/hhn-Tet7olittle)lslKmv»^''Indeett there ijyp^red toWirffto
CHARLES KISBET. 457
{MurticiilAr portion of time aet apart for it. E?en the members of his own fkm^f
ily neyer knew idien it was done. The truth i8> his mind was so richly ftimiahed
with icnowMge, his memory so extraordinary, his imagination so mnch under
his command, and all his powers so prompt and obedient to his will, that it
seemed almost as easy for him to preach as to breathe. Nor was his preaching,
by any moans,. of that oommon -place, declamatory character, which toogene^
rally belongs to the extemporary speakers, in which words are more abundant
than thoughts. On the contrary, his sermons abounded in thought, always
weighty and instructire; often new, striking and deeply interesting.
His delivery in the pulpit was not remarkably graceful, or conformed to the
rules of art. His voice was small, scarcely sufficient to fill a large house, with-
out extraordinary effort. He made very little gesture. He seldom rose to much
vehemence, but poured out a flood of precious truth, good sense, and unaffected
piety, with a uniformity and solidity which never ikiled to fix and reward the
attention of those, who were more intent on richness of thought and sound the-
ological instruction, than on the ornaments of rhetoric, or the graces of a fitfd-
nating delivery. His style of speaking was remarkably clear, manly, unaffected,
direct, and adapted to please all classes of intelligent and serious hearers. His
powers of argument and of illustration seemed to be inexhaustible; and when
the hour (to which his sermons were usually confined) was out, he closed, not
from the least failure of matter, but rather from the unexpected and regretted
failure of time. On one occasion, when visiting a friend in the ministry, that
friend having left the discussion of an important subject unfinished in his morn-
ing's discourse, Dr. Nisbet, in the afternoon, took it up at the pointwhere.it had
been left, and brought it to a dose in a manner equally instructive and interest-
ing;— and all this, without retiring a moment for study, or appearing to
devo^ any time to preparation.
As a Divine, Dr. Nisbet waa a thorough old school Oalvinist. He was a devo-
ted firiend of the Westminster Confession of Faith; considering it as aludd and
most happy exhibition of the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures.
The arrangement of his course of Theological Lecturea was in conformity with
the chapters of this Confession.
As the President of a College, Dr. Nisbet had many peculiar difficulties to
oontend with; but amidst them all, he maintained an honourable standing in the
estimation of all sober and competent judges. With respect to one branch of
discipline, that is, infficting the penalties prescribed by the laws on individual
students, the tendency of Dr. Nisbet's mind was to err on the side of undue
lenity, rather than that of over strictness. His peculiar benevolence often led
him — as some thought, too often— to overlook irregularities and disorders, or to
arrest the stroke of justice, when the interests of the College demanded that it
should fall on the head of the offender. But in regard to the discipline of his
wit and sarcasm, he was the terror of disorderly students. Frequently, when
the lash of the law either could .not be inflicted» or fktled of makhig the proper
impression, he could, by a single sentence of caustic wit, cover, the delmquent
with mortification and shame. Indeed, there is reaaon to believe that, in mon
than one instance, young men were so deeply and painfhlly stung by an unex-
rected stroke of satire or sarcasm, that they had no other refiige firom the ridi-
oule which it brought upon them, than to leave the College.
Dr. Nisbet, after he came to America, for various reasons, whidi need not here
bo stated, seldom' attended, the General Assembly of the Church to which he
belonged ; and whea he did attend,^ seldom took an active part in its proceedings.
He sometimes* indeed^ came io Phihiddphia during the pessioiis of the Assembly,
bat-it was^fuore frequently fonihepturpose of rctlainqg hhnsdC^dqring a collegiate
TacaUon, or of imeetiiig .olevigalfrio^ir,, tbantfor tnkhig a; se^tin.t)ie B^y as a
members This was onise Inimorously r0eogi|ised by himsdfin aconveisatbn with
Vol. m. 58
468 FBESBTTERIAN.
the late Dr. Mason of New Tork, with whom he happened to meet on one of theee
Tiaita. Dr. Mason said to him in that ftee and Jo<nilar manner for which he was
remarkable, — " W^, Doctpr, I find yon sometimes oome to Philadelphia daring
the sessions of the General Assembly." " Yes/' said he, ** I am not a member,
but 1 like to meet my friends, and see a little of what is going on.'' Mamur—
" But do yon not sometimes go into the Assembly, and listen to its proceedings?'*
NvAet — *' Tes, I sometimes go in for the htn^ €fk€aring, and then I come out
for the Un^ of not hearing." Mammr^*' Well, Doctor, which is the greater
benefit?" iVw6cf— ** Indeed, mon, it's hard to strike the balance."
As the wit of Dr. Nisbet was exuberant and inezhaostible, and as, on some
occasions adapted to call it forth, he could wield with power the weapons of ridi-
cule and sarcasm, it might be supposed by such as did not know him, that he
was wanting in tenderness and sympathy. This, howerer, was flur from being
the case. On the contrary, few men were erer more remarkable than he, for their
fooling and benevolent hearts. Of this I have myself witnessed many striking
examples, but will advert to only one. In the winter of 1701, the melancholy
defeat of General St. Glair, by the Miami Indians, occurred, to the distress of
the nation. A large part of the American army, which was engaged in that
expedition, had, on its way Westward, encamped for a number of weeks in the
neighbourhood of Carlisle, and became considerably acquainted with the inhaU-
tants of the borough. I was in Oarlisle when the disastrous event ooeurred,
and had for weeks before heard the Doctor indulging his wit at the expense of
the government of the United States, and of that army, and its prospects in par-
ticular. When the news of its sanguinary defeat arrived, instead of receiving it,
as those who did not know him well, might have expected, with more than his
usual sarcasm, he was aifooted, melted, nay almost overwhelmed, by the sad
Jntflligenoe. If he had lost any of his nearest and most beloved relatives on
that field of national disaster, he oould not have maniftated more deep or heart-
felt grief than he expressed, not merely in a single short paroxysm of feeling,
but for a number of days together. Indeed, his whole history exhibited him as
kind hearted and sympathetio to a degree greatly beyond what is common in
those who are popularly called benevolent men.
The domestic character of Dr. Nisbet was eminently amiable and exemplary.
In the relations of husband, parent, and master, he exhibited a bright example
of the most vigilant fidelity, affection, and benevolence. No one oould enter the
door of his dwelling without peroeiring that his fiunily was the abode, not merely
of order and harmony, but of the most endearing attention and love.
Dr. Nisbet, however, with all his accomplishments, was not so well qualified as
many inferior men, to meet the exigencies, and encounter the difflonlties, which
atteinded his transfer of residence to America. The Oountess of Leven was
undoubtedly correct, when she intimated to him in one of her letters that he was
not fitted to engage in scenes of hardy endurance and confiict He laboured
under a nervous timidity, which rendered it difficult for him to meet physical
danger with composure* He had no taste nor fitness for resisting injurte, or
contending with the unfeeling or unjust. His wit, too, not being always under
the government of cautious reserve, sometimes led him to attack popular preju-
dices or iniquitous actions, in a style whidi many who did not know his sterlhig
honesty and benevolence, were not always ready to excuse. To which may be
added, that the first fiftf years of his life having been spent amid European
scones and habits, he never acquired a fedli^ in making such allowance for
American scenes and habits as the rituation of our country really required.
Dr. Nisbet's person was, in height, rather bebw the middle stature, and in
early life slender, and ftill of agOitjr. He often said that, in his youth, in walk-
ing, it was easy for him to keep pace with an ordinary horstfman; and that he
flnequently, on a winter's morning, walked twenty or thirty miles before break
OHABLES KI8BET. 459
ikaty withoat any pdnM effort. Before his arriTal at middle age, howerer, he
became oorpalent, and oontinaed so to the end of life. It came upon him sud-
denly, like a diseasei and no degree of abstinence which he could adopt, appeared
to arrest or diminish it. Tet Us corpulence did not interfere much vith actiyity,
even in adyanced age. His motions were habitually rapid, and such as might
have been expected in one who had been once so remarkably agile. He was
characteristically quick in bystj movement, physical and intellectual. Neither
did his corpulence interfere with his health. This was seldom interrupted. He
was, indeed, occasionally troubled with some disorder of the stomach, somewhat
similar to the modem fashionable disease called dyaptpna. He, however, very
seldom took medicine; but generally found himself entirely relieved by a fast of
twenty-four hours, to which he uniformly resorted.
Many other virtues besides those which have been mentioned, might be cele-
brated as shining in the character of this remarkable man. His perfect integrity ;
his freedom from all hidden policy or concealment; the disclosure of his senti-
ments on all subjects with the simplicity of a child; and his halutual disinterest-
edness, formed a charm of the most attractive kind in all his Ohristian and social
intercourse.
To have had the opportunity of contributing anything, however small, towards
embalming the memory of this extraordinary man, I regard as one of'the precious
privileges of my life.
I am, Bev. and dear Sit,
Very sincerely yours,
SAMUEL ULLBB.
JOHN DURBURROW BLAIR *
1786—1828.
John Dubbubbow Blaib was bom at Fagg's Manor, Pa., October 15,
1759. He was a son of the Eey. John Blair, who was for a while settled
in the neighbourhood of Oarlisle, and afterwards succeeded his brother as
both pastor of the ohuroh and teacher of the school, at Fagg's Manor. The
subject of this sketch was graduated at the OoUege of New Jersey in the
year 1775, under the Presidency of Dr. Witherspoon. The Doctor, having
been requested to name a suitable person to take charge of Washbgton
Henry Academy in Virginia, which had been under the care of the Key.
Daniel McOalla, thought proper to recommend young Mr. Blair, who imme-
diately repaired to Hanoyer, and entered on the duties of his office.
Mr. Blair had, early in life, made a profession of religion, and had formed
a purpose to pursue the study of Theology. This purpose he continued to
prosecutes without an instmoter, after his remoyal to the South ; and hay-
ing passed through the prescribed trials in the Presbytery of Hanover, was
licensed to preach the Qoepel about the year 1785. Soon alter AjSi ke
received a etJl from the Church in Pole Green, in Hanover, of which Samuel
Davies had been pastor, while in Virginia ; and, haying aooepted the call,
was ordained to the pastoral office. He retained his connection with this
churdi till within a few yean of his death, when, by reason of the infirmities
• KB. firamEcv. Dr. AiehilMkl Atezante.
460 FBB6BTTBRIAJr.
of fl^i hewiis no longer able to attondio his pasUnml datiorin obhikiotSbn
with It. He was married to a Him Winston, the daughter of a respeotable
gentleman in Hanover. The Aoademj not flonrishing aooording to his
wishes and expectations, he determined to remove Us residence to the city
of Biohmond. Here he tanght the classics to a number of bojs in his own
house, and preached on every alternate Sabbath in the Oapitol, still giving
the one half of his labours to the Church in Hanover, which was not more
than, nine or ten miles distant. His preaching in Bichmond was in friendly
association with the Bev. Dr« Buchanan, of the Episcopal Ohurch. Between
these two clergymen there subsisted a long and intimate friendship, which
was terminated only by the decease of the latter. After the memorable
calamity of the loss of so many valuable lives by the burning of the Bich-
mond Theatre, in the year 1812, it was resolved by the inhabitants of
Oapitol Hill to build a Monumental Church on the site of the late Thbatre.
In this enterprise aU the families, Presbyterian as well as Episcopalian,
who had been accustomed to worship in the Oapitol, enlisted, without, it
would seem, any very definite understanding as to the ultimate destination
of the edifice ; though, after it was completed, it was thought best that it
should be occupied exclusively by some one denomination, and the majority
decided in favour of the Episcopalians, The friends of Mr. Blair, now ani-
mated by a more liberal and energetio spirit than ever before, proceeded to
erect a handsome church edifice for themselves on Shockoe Hill, where
he officiated during the remainder of his life. Before this time, the
people had never been formed into a regular church : there were neither
elders nor deacons, and the Lord's Supper had never been administered by
Mr. Blair in Bichmond ; but such as were communicants were accustomed
to go to the church in Hanover to join in the participation of tliat ordinance.
As soon as their house was completed, a regular church was constituted,
which still remains, and has been under the charge of several successive
pastors since the death of Mr. Bhur.
After he took up his residence in Biohmond, he became intimate with
die most enlightened men of the place, among whom were Judge Mar-
shall and Judge Washington, who were remarkably fond of his company,
and spent much of their leisure in a club of which he was an esteemed
member.
His death eame not suddenly, but gradually; and when he found his end
approaching, he had his children called around his bed, and addressed them
in the following manner; — '! I have little to say to yOu, — ^much less than I
exp^ptedi in eoaseqoence of weakness. In the contemplation of death, you
are present to my mind. To part with you wUl be a punful scene. My
manner of life, my doctrine, and the exhortations I have given ^bu; you
ki^ow,,' I have nothing new to add to the^e now.. Your:relianoe for the
p^4on of yenr sins must be on the LorjL Jesna Christ^ : To Him fdone yon
iliiust 49okf . You must be sanctified. ; . You. were: bom in ain^ as* I was.
This must be overcome;, for nothing .unholy can ever enter ihcSini^m. of
Qaaven.« The graoOfftfiGoid alone is,si]^ient.tosanotify.y&uvto^*«otify
the diserders which ain has liatrodncedy and ta implant in jovtt hei^rfts'new
pmcipbe> destroying the power and the love-.of sin* TUs gMoew%ver to
he sought with' humblsi penitent, fervent beartsb. •Itt'addilaMid^hil^'ttid
in consequence of this, yon will find your highest delight in Gk)d, and your
highest fleasure in his iervici. Ae fcir iti^^ I^hive reason to believe
JOHN BFRBmtBOW: BLAOL ^^
tkftl I>wa8 early made a sbbjeot of Dirine grace. I hate Bot lieen Irithout ny
firalU. My aberrations are chiefly in practical religion/ Whenl wait yonng,
I was yery enthusiastic; had the foUy to think that if' they wbald let me
preach, I could conyert the world. Bat Qod was pleased to show me my
insufficiency. When I began to preach, I converted nobody. I could not
do it. Yet I hope Ood has made me an instrument of good to many souls.
When I came to maturer years, my religion became rather a calm and settled
conviction and habit, than a matier of feeling and an ebullition of love. And
now, after I am gone, if it is asked whether I made any remarkable speech,
you may answer. No ; but that I am not without hope and confidence. I
depend on Him in whom I have believed. I think I have a right to plead
his promises of mercy. He has never left me nor forsaken me. He has
supported me all along, and I believe, will do so still. I know that I must
pass through the dark valley and shadow of death ; but I think I am pre-
pared for God's will, and that I shall be ready when He shall call me home.
* Lord Jesus, into thy hands I commend my spirit !' I should like once
more to speiJc to this congregation ; but I shall not bo able to do that."
His death occurred in January, 1828 ; and his Funeral Sermon was preached
by the Bev. John Blair Hoge, in the church on Shockoe Hill, already men-
tioned.
Mr. Blair published a few occasional Sermons during his life, and after
his death, a volume of his Sermons was published under the direction of his
suocessor, the Bev. J. B. Hoge.
FROM MBS. DB. JOHN H. BIGE.
K&ui HAXPDSir Sioim Gouaaa, May 8, 1854.
My dear Sir: I knew the Bev. J. D. Blair slightly before I removed to Rich-
mond to reside in 1812; but from that time my acquaintance with him was inti-
mate as long as he lived, and my relations to him such as to give me a good
opportunity of judging of his character. Many years have passed since his death;
but my recollections of him are still fresh, and I cheerftilly comply with your
request in communicating them to you.
Mr. Blair was one of the most gentlemanly and polished men that you would
meet in any circle. He was not above the medium height, and was of rather a
slender figure; but had great delicacy of person, and an uncommonly mild and
benignant, and at th6 same time an intellectual, expression of countenance. He was
much more than clergymen generally an, a man of the world; was fond of polished
and tkshionable society, and mingled in it perhaps more freely than was consists
ent with his highest Ohristian enjoyment or ministerial usefiilness. He was
always particularly welcome to sudi drcles, as his bland, engaging manners^
and fine social qualities, were well fitted to render him a flivourite. He never
seemed more in his dement than at a wedding. And this brings to my mind one
peculiarity of his which I never knew bow to account for: he was never willing
to mairy any one who had not been baptised, and sometimes, when he discovered
ai the moment when the cereihony was about to be performed, that the bride had
not received baptism, he would abruptly pause, and proceed to administer it.
He was very fond also of msking the wedding of an elder daughter the occasion
for baptizing the younger children of the family. He was accustomed to admin-
ister the ordinance generally^ if not uniformly, in private,' and the occasion
(called a Chritiening) usually brought together many of the friends of the fomily,
and was often attended with no inconsiderable degree of hilarity. It waa both
462 PBBSBTTBBIAK.
his principle and practice to baptiie all diOdren, whether iheir parenta vwe
profeaaors of religion or not.
Mr. Blair maj be regarded aa baying been a more than commonly popular
preacher. The staple of his sermons was good sense and sound orthodozj,
according to the standards of the Presbyterian Ohorch. His style wsa graceftd
and polished, and his manner of delivery was in perfect harmony with hk style.
His voice was soft and pleasant, and ftll liice sweet mosic on the ear of his
audience. My impression is that his ministrations were not .remarkable for
variety — certainly he had some fkyourite expressions which he repeated so often
that I remember them to this day. For instance, when administering the Oom-
munion at Hanover, as he was accustomed to do, I have heard him say, I know
not how often, — ^in addressing the coloured communicants, '^Methinka your
black fitces will hereafter make a fine contrast with the white robes of Ohiist's
righteousness, which you will wear in Heaven." Of course I do not hold myself
responsible for the correctness of the sentiment, or the elegance of the expres-
sion— ^I only refer to it as a sentence which he often repeated.
Mr. Blair was always a benevolent man, but, in his latter days, he eyidently
grew in spirituality. I was not present at his dying scene, but waa infermed
that it was charaoteriaed by great humility, peace, and confidence in the Saviour.
His death produced no smsll sensation in the surrounding community; and all
felt that a man of rare acoomplishmenta and virtues had passed away.
Most respeotftdly,
AKKB S. BIOS.
NATHAN 6BIEB.
1786—1814.
FBOM THB BEV. BAYII) MoCOKAUGHY, B. D.,
nuMwaaT or washxvovov ooLLaea.
WASBiaoiov, Fa., Jane 26, 1849.
Bev. and dear Brother : The man whose memory yon ask me to assiat in
embalming, is one to whose pious example, wise counsels and instruotiona,
and eameat prayers, I was much indebted in my special preparation for the
miuistry. It will, therefore, be only a labour of love for me to comply
with your request; and I am happy to say that my impressions of the
venerable man are so distinct that I can state them without any doubt or
misgiving as to their oorrectness. I have, also in my possession the mate-
rial faota neoeasary to a narrative of his life.
Nathan GFbixb waa bom in Bucks County, Pa., in September, 1760.
His parents were John and Agnes (Oaldwell) Oner, who, after their mar^
riage, came to this oountry from Ireland. Without the wealth and distinc-
tion of this world, they wete rich in feith and good works, and had that
hoi^our which cometh from Gk)d. By education, and by intelligent conviction,
they embraced cordially and held firmly the fkith and forms of the Piesby-
terian Church. They bad three daughters and eight sons, who were highly
esteemed for their intelligence, piety, and emment worth. Their posterity,
still numerous, honourably ezempltfj^ the virtnea of their worthy anoeators.
The subject of this sketch '* feared the Lord from his youth," and waa
remarkable for his piety while yet a boy. Parental example, prayen, and
KATHAN ORIER. 4Q3
instraotioD, whioh were saTinglj blest to tbe rest of tbe ikmilyt were, evi*
dontlj the means of early kindling up in him a beayonlj ligbt, wbioh sbone
more and more nnto tbe perfect day. Devoted to God in bis yoatb by
bomble £utb, be obose tbe ministry of tbe Gospel as tbe best means of
promoting tbe glory of God, and the benefit of bis fellow-men. His
olassioal ednoation was conducted by bis elder brother, tbe Rev. James
Grier, of Deep Run. He entered tbe University of Ponnsylyania aboat
1781, and was graduated in 1783. His standing in College was good, but
not particularly distinguished. After leaving College, he taught a grammar
school, for a short time, in Pitts Orove. He prosecuted his theological
studies under tbe direction of his brother, who had previously aided him in
bis classical course. He was licensed to preach by tbe Presbytery of
Philadelphia in 1786. In the same year, be received and accepted a call
from tbe Congregation of the Forks of Brandywine, and was installed as
their Pastor in 1787. It was in tbe purpose of Gk)d, and in fiict, a union
for life. To the spiritual good of this congregation his labours as a Pastor
wore all appropriated. To them the Head of the Church assigned him, as
an important gifk ; — bis time, bis prayers, his cares, and his futbful efforts.
Having become tbe Pastor of a congregation, be also became a husband, by
taking as bis wife, Susannah Smith, a member of bis own Church, and
daughter of Robert and Margaret Smith, — ^the grandparents of tbe distin-
guished General P. F. Smith, lately in the Mexican war, and now of Cali-
fornia. .This family was highly respectable, and in comfortable worldly
circnmstances ; and Mr. Grier's choice of a partner there was by a kind
direction of Providence. She was eminently a ** help meet " in the duties
and cares of that interesting relation. With great prudence and discretion,
and exemplary domestic economy, she maintained a pious walk, and a life
of intimate communion with God. By her prayers and example, she
strengthened tbe bands and encouraged tbe heart of her husband in his
officii duties, bis necessary worldly engagements, and the wise and
pious government and instruction of their common offspring. Her society,
counsel, and aid, be was not permitted *to enjoy to tbe end of bis natural life.
She died in tbe faith and hope of the Gospel, January 2, 1812, about two
years before be was summoned from bis earthly labours.
For tbe large and important charge to which be was called, tbe Head of
tbe Church had thoroughly trained and qualified him. The Rev. John
Carmicbael, a nunister of very considerable eminence, bad been bis iinme-
diato predecessor ; and tbe Congregation being highly intelligent and well
instructed in Divine truth, were abundantly qualified to enjoy and appre-
ciate an able and faithful ministry, — such as they found in the Pastor which
God bad now given them. His judgment was sound and discriminating,
and bis talents as a preacher eminenUy popular. With a voice clear, pleap
sant and commanding, be exhibited a solemnity of manner and a deep and
tender earnestness, which never failed to secure attention, and often made
a powerful impression. He spake as one who believed and felt tbe force of
Divine truth, and the weight of ministerial responsibility. His sermons
were usually short, and combined the liaw and the Gospel in due propor-
tions. He never failed to preaoh " Christ crucified," but be abo faithfully
exhibited to sinners their guilt and danger, that thus they might be
prepared to welcome tbe gracious provision which the Gospel offers. His
preparation for tbe pulpit was elaborated with devout and conscientious
464 FBBSBTTBBUX.
oaie. Th« •nraag^meDt of his diMonniBf wm mtanl ud lileid,>^iSid'^tii«
maUer of ilMm tfcoiMeeiBiiMnUyefBiigelittlaiidpnoiidaL While hii iftjle
was ooneot/ chaste and graiMfaly there was no attempt at the omaoieiits of
a refined rhetorie; nor did he deal in perplexing and difikonlt questions,
involvbg Uie subtleties of metaphysios. ffia governing aim was to deolaie
"the whole counsel of Ood " so plainlj that all could understand it, and so
disoriminatoly that each one might appropriate it. He sought not to exalt
himself but Christ ; not to be honoured or rewarded with the praise of men,
but with the approbaUon of Ood, and the conyersion and salvation of those
in relation to whom he knew that " he must render an account.*' As might
be expected, he held a high place in the confidence and affection of the
people of his charge, and his labours were greatly blessed. To other
churches aLio, in which he was oocaaionally called to minister, his ser?i<|es
were eminently acceptable. In Theology, his views were dear, profound,
well arranged, and evangelical. In all the duties of religion, he gave
evidence that he understood their importance and solemnity. His indivi-
dual attachments were strong, unoere and discriminating, though they were
not cherished to the exclusion of those respectful attentions and benevolent
feelings which he owed to his fellow men in general. His disposition was
eminently social. In familiar intercourse with his friends he found much
enjoyment, nor did he fail to impart as much as he received. Hilarity,
always chastened by Christian decorum, shed a grateful infiuence over every
drcle in which he mingled.
One important characteristic which Mr. Oner possessed in an enunent
degree, was firmness of purpose. His opinions were formed upon careful
consideration, were maintained with unwavering confidence, and, if occasion
required, defended with manly vigour and independence. And the same
was true in relation to what he regarded as ascertained duty. It must be
done, let the consequence be what it might. Of many fMts illustrative of
this feature of his character, I venture to refer to one. On meetings of
the Presbytery, and other judicatories ci the Church, he was a punctual
attendant; and, in conducting business, was among the most efficient mem-
bers. During my connection with the Newcastle Presbytery, by which I
was licensed, troubles in Ireland caused the removal to this country of
many Presbyterian ministers, who had been prominent in their opposition
to the civil government at home. Their cherished habits of thought, and
the leading part which tiiey had previously acted, seemed to have been
fhvonrable to the growth of tiieir self-esteem, and evidentiy led some of them
to expect more deferenoe than they could reasonably chdmi They seemed
also, in virtue of their being foreigners, to regard themselres as more skilled
in matters civil and ecdesiasticid,* than the ministers who had had theit
training in. thb country. At such arrogant assumption nunc felt more
indignant than Hr. Orier; and not seldom he manifested his ind^ndent
American spirit, by resisting undue interference, and dispensing merited
rebuke. In reference to such cases, he would jooosely remarik, **a gentie
picking to let off the wind seems expedient and may be useftd,'' In dl
his rcktions as a pastor, a oitiien, an ecclesiastie, and a man, he was earn-
est in his endeavours to know what was right, and infleaibly firm in his
adhetence to it.
Mr. Orier was not only eminentiy honoured of Ood as a Pastor in his
Congregation, and as a fiuthfnl and very acceptable preacher of the Oospd
VATHAK GBIEB. 4^5
in tbe ohnrolies generally, but had an important instrnmentality in direct-
ing,and aiding yonng men in their studies preparatory to the Oospcl minis-
try. The Presbyterian Ohnrch in America had not then provided Theolo-
gical Seminaries, and students in Theology availed themselves of tiie libra-
ries and instructions of the pastors of churches, as they had opportunity.
The estimation in which Mr. Grier was held as a pious, able and successful
minister of the Gospel, induced many to avul themselves of his direction
and aid. The quiet and order of his house ; his example as a devoted Chris-
tian, a pastor, and a preacher ; his pleasant manners ; his kind and ready
efforts to promote the piety, comfort, and knowledge of his students, — make
the memory of those times and circumstances pleasant and imperishable.
Those who studied under his direction, were accustomed to divide their
time between the study of the Scriptures, Ecclesiastical History, and a
series of questions — about one hundred in number — m the usual order of
the System of Theology. On these questions they were required to write
pretty fully, and submit the result to his examination and criticism. In
like manner, they composed sermons, on which they had his opinion as to ■
matter and manner. All this required much of his time and attention;
which, however, he always gave with the utmost alacrity*.
As a husband, a father, and guardian of Ids family, his whole demeanour
was oharacteriaed by Ot&ristian dignity, condescension, affection, and faith-
fulness. And the Gk)d of his fumily crowned with his efficient benediction
his efforts to train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. He
left five children, — three daughters and two sons. Two of his daughters
became the very estimable wives of respectable Presbyterian ministers,—
the former theological students of their father; and the third is the worthy
and Ohristian widow of Dr. Bobert Thomson, late of Fagg*s Manor, Pa.
His sons, in early life, entered on the responsibilities and duties of the Gos-
pel ministry, in which they have proved themselves able and &ithful.
The elder, the Bev. Bobert S. Grier, has long been the esteemed pastor of
the Congregations of Tom's Creek and of Piney Creek within the Carlisle
Presbytery. The younger son, the Bev. John N. C. Grier, D. D., was,
soon i^ter his futher's demise, chosen unanimously as successor in the pas-
torate of the Congregation of the Forks of Brandywine. His settlement
there was on the 24th of November, 1814. In that charge, of which he b
now pastor, he has laboured continuously, faithfully and acceptably. I
may aidd that there are very few stated pastors, whose labours have been
more eminently blessed by repeated seasons of gracious visitation, and
large accessions to the Communion of the Church. It ia indeed a garden
of the Lord, over which his special care has been exercised, and on which
He has shed largely the refreshing influences of his grace.
The subject of this sketch lived and died in the bosom of the Congrega^
tion of the Forks of Brandywine. Twenty-seven years he served them
with fidelity and success, until, having finished the work which was ass^ned
him, he was summoned from his labours on earth to a glorious reward in
Heaven. He died of a typhoid fever, of only eight days continuance,
March 81, 1814, in the fifty-fourth year of his age. His Funeral 3crmon
was preached by the Bev. William Arthur, and was published.
TFhe many years which have elapsed since my intimate association with
this excellent man, and the remoteness of my residenco from him during
the latter part of Us lift, prevent me from recording numy incidents in his
Vol. HL 69
466 FBBSBTTBBIAH^ .
hifltoiy, idiioli might baTegiyen additional inierest to my nairatiTe, and
rendered this tribute to bis memory more worthy of its yenerated snbj^
I am most reepectfally and affeotionately,
Xonr brother in the Gospel of Obrist,
DAYID MoCONAUGHT.
The Eey. Nathan Grier, as baa been intimated in the preceding sketoh,
bad an elder brother, Jamsb Gbibb, who was also a minister of the Gos-
pel. He was a natiye of Deep Ban ; was hopefully oonyerted under the
preaching of Whitefield ; was graduated at the College of New Jersey in
1772; was a Tutor there in 1778 and 1774; studied Theology under Dr.
Witherspoon ; was licensed to preach by the First Presbytery of Philadel-
phia in 1776 ; and was ordained by the same Presbytery, and installed Pastor
of the Ohurch in Deep Bun, in 1776. This was his only pastoral charge,
though he supplied for some years the neighbouring Church of Tinicum.
He died on the 19th of Noyember, 1791, aged forty-one years, from the
rupture of a blood yessel in the lungs, — haying, for some time preyious to
his death, on account of great bodily weakness, deliyered his sermons in a
sitting posture. He dosed his pulpit labours on the Sabbath, and closed
his earUily existence the next day. His Funeral Sermon was preached by
the Bey. Nathaniel Irwin of Neshaminy, and was published.
The Bey. Dr. Andrews of Doylestown, Pa., who has had access to the
best means of information concerning him, has kindly furnished me the fol-
lowing paragraphs as the result of his inquiries: —
** In person the Rey. James Grier was of medium height; exceedingly thin;
erect and graoeAil in his moyements, and neat in his dress; with a countenance
remarkably sedate, — ^yet not sombre but winning, so that the children of his
congregation loyed his society, and were easy in his presence. His hair was Jet
blade and abundant, — ^was parted in firont and lay combed back oyer his temples.
He was amiable and conciliatory in lus disposition and manner; as one expresses
it, — * making peace between God and man, and between man and his neigh-
bour."
'^ His yoice was deep and sonorous, and, in the latter years of his ministry,
from &ilure of health, it acquired a peculiar solemnity in its tones. He spoke
with due deliberation, and usually Just load enough to be distinctly heard. He
ordinarily used bat little gesture, and that of the milder kind; but his manner
was always earnest, and at times it became deeply impassioned. Not in the
terrors of the Lord so much as in the persuasiye power of the Gospel did his
strength lie. One of his congregation who liyed to be aged, used to say of him
that ' it .was not possible to hear him preadi and refrain from tears;* though, as
is said of Dr. Ardhibald Alexander, I haye neyer met with one who recoUeeted
eyer sedng the preacher himsdf weep in the ddiyery of a sermon.
**He is represented as a yery discriminating, instructiye preadier, with a
power oyer an audience to which few attain. An inddent may illuAtrate thia^-
He was at Tinicum on a Oommunion Sabbath, and followed up the Sacramental
seryice with a Sermon on the text, — " And the door was shut." After reading
the passage, he dosed his Bible with an action somewhat energetic, and lifting
tp his hands, apparently in the deepest agony, exclaimed, — * My God, and «t
the door shut ?' The impression upon the whole cotigregation was perfectly
oyerwhdming; and I haye Been told that Mr. Grier himsdf regarded the sermon
as haying been more signally blest in the awakening of the careless than perhaps
any other during hfs whole ministry. I once saw it in manuscript, and it waa
io BO way remarkable for its thought or its structure.
HATHAN aBIBB. 4^f
** He neTor read his sennons in the pulpit. It is 8«id that hie emtom nsiiallj
WBB to write oat on Monday the diBconrse of the preceding Sahbath. But an
aged man, — not a member of his congregation, — told me, a Ibw jreara ago^ that
in his jouth he remembered hearing him preach at Deep Run, when — as a Terj
nnoeaal thing — ^he faltered in the use of a word, then tried a second time, and
not being snccessfol, drew a manuscript from his pocket, and turning oyer a ftw
leayes, and finding the expression he wanted, replaced the paper and proceeded
as before. Whether he sometimes preached memoriter, or always trusted to the
inspiration of the moment for his language, I haTO neyer been able to ascertain.
" I cannot learn that his pastoral life was marked by what in these days
would be denominated a Reriyal of religion; but he built up and strengthened
the people of God; instructed the children of the Ohurch; exemplified what a
Christian minister ought to be; and eleyated the standard of religious character
in the yiew of the whole community. Fathers Stewart and Dunlap, brought
into the church in his day, — afterwards ruling elders, and distinguished for thnr
dose walk with God, used to determine all difference of opinion between them
and myself, — doctrinal and experimental, with simply this appeal — * Mr. Grier
thought so.* No liying man so controlled their minds as did James Grier, who
had been in his graye for half a century."
Mr. Grier was first married to a DtBss Tenbroedt of New Jersey, by
whom he had one daughter. His second wife was Mary Ferguson of Deep
Bun, who had four children, — ^three daughters and one son.
The son was John Fbbouson Gbibb, who also entered the ministry.
He was .bom at Deep Bun in the year 1784 ; was fitted for Oollege in the
Brandywine Academy ; entered Dickinson Oollege in 1799, and graduated
with the first honour of his class, in 1803; was a teacher suocessiyely of a
olassioal school in Peqnea, Pa., and in the Academy at Brandywine ; pro-
seouted his theological studies under his uncle, the Bey. Nathan Grier; was
licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Newcastle, June 26, 1810 ; was
orduned and installed Pastor of the Ohurch in Beading, Pa., Noyember 28,
1814; reoeiyed the degree of Doctor of Diyinity from Meadrille Oollege ;
and died January 26, 1829. The circumstances of his death were peculiar.
There had been, for a short time preyious, indications of an increased atten-
tion to religion in his Oongregation. On the eyening on which he died, he
had attended a meeting for prayer and oonyersation with those who were in
an anxious state of mind. At this meeting there was great solemnity man-
ifest, and he remarked to a friiBud, on his way home, thfit he w^a satisfied
that a reyiyal of religion had commenced. He retired about eleyen o'clock,
apparently in perfect health. Soon after he fell asleep, his wifii, hearing a
faint groan, spoke to him ; but she reoeiyed no answer. The reason was
that he was dead. The religious interest increased greatly af^r his death,
and nearly seyenty persons were added to the church witiim a few weeks.
A Bulogy was pronounoed upon Dr. Grier, by 0. B. Penrose, Esq., at the
request of the Belles Lettres Society of Dicldnson OoUege, on the 27ih of
March suooeeding his death, and was published.
4168 FBBSBTTIBIAir.
AAEON WOOLWORTH, D. D»
1786—1821.
Aaron Wooi*wobth, a sqii of Biobard and Loia Woolwortb, was
born at Loogmoadoir, Hasa., October 25, 1768. Hia &tber onltirated a
amaU farm« and, in oonneotion with that, carried on the boaineaa of a tan*
ner, cnrrier, and BboemakeF. He entered Yale Oolite in 1780; had a
highly reepeotable standing as a scholar during his whole course; and
reoeiyed the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1784. It was while he was an
undergraduate that his mind became deeply impressed with eternal reali«
ties, and he entered with fixed purpose on the religious life. About the
time, and probably on the very day, of his joining the church, he committed
to paper the following solemn engagements : —
" Tali Coiltcs, August 4, 1788.
** I do this day lay myself under renewed obligations to surrender the
remaining part of my life to the service of my Creator ; and, by Di?ine
assistance, to walk according to the most holy religion of Jesus Christ, my
most glorious Bedeemer — ^in a full belief of the Sacred Scriptures of the
Old and New Testament, to practise all dutiea therein requind, according
to. my best knowledge ; to commence and carry on a warfare witii every sin ;
to use my utmost endeayours to promote the interests of religion and vir-
tue among my fellow-men ; to take Christ's yoke upon me ; to take up his
^oss and follow Him through evil report and good report ; to hate father
sikid mother, brethren and sbters, and even my own life, in compaiisonwith
my loVe to my Saviour ; to surrender up myself to be saved entirely by his
merits and vicarioua righteousness ; to deny myself of all good things which
interfere with Qod's glory ; to resign myself entirely to Ids service, having
no will of my own, contrary to hb most holy will."
After leaving College, he taught school, for a short time, in Enfield,
Conn.; after which, he devoted some time to the study of Theology, under
the direction of the Bev. Dr. Hart of Preston. He was licensed to preach
the Gospel by the Baatem Association of New London County. After
preaching for some littie time at East Hampton, Mass., he went tp Long
Island, in the beginning of the year 1787, and commenced preaching as a
candidate to the Church in Bridgehampton. That church had been long
destitute of a pastor, and was then in a distracted state ; and it was in con-
aequenooof a personal) application from a committee of the church, that he
was induced to' visit them. His first sermon was from the text,— *f I ask,
therefore, for what intent ye have sent for me ? " He was i^ived at once
with great favour, and measures were soon taken which resulted b his per-
manent settlement. He was orduned and installed on the 80th of April,
1787, — ^the Sermon on the occasion being preached by the Bev. Dr. BueU
of Bast Hampton, L. I. The Church was at that time Congregational,
though it subsequentiy became Presbyterian.
Several powwful revivals of religion occurred under his ministry, pai^
ticularly one in the year 1800, an account of which was published in
Pyni^ Vta. 0Hm.— Fklmt^mit. L. I.— MS. ftMihtoaoo,a. B. Woolwwtft, LL. D.
AABON WOOLWOBTH. ,4^9
Mnneeiion with Dr. Baell's Nanaiiye of an extennre BeTiTal in Bast
Hampton.
In 1809, he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the OoUege of
New Jersey.
Though hia constitution was not very vigorous, his health was generally
good, and he was seldom prevented from preaching by illness. - He often
said that he desired to go from his labours to hiiB rest ; and his prayer was
signally answered. His last labours were on the Sabbath, March 25, 1821,
when he preached and administered the Lord's Supper with unusual fer-
vency and tenderness. He was then labouring under a severe cold, which
terminated in a typhoid affection of the lungs, of which he died on the 2d
of April following. His mind, during his illness, was in a state of groat
serenity, and one of his last expressions was — ** Death has no terrors to
me." A Sermon with reference to his death was preached to his bereaved
flock, a short time after, by the Bev. Ebeneser Phillips,* of Bast Hampton,
and was published.
On the 27th of August, 1788, he was married to a daughter of the Eev.
Dr. Buell, who died at the residence of her eldest son, at Homer, in Oort-
land Oounty, N. Y., September 10, 1846. He left five ohildren) one of
whom, Samuel BuM^ g^uated at Hamilton Oollege in 1822, and is now
(1864) Principal of the State Normal School at Albany.
FROM THE REV. LYHAK BEECHEB, D. D
Bosiov, November 24, 1852.
My dear Brother: The name of Dr. Wool worth revives in my mind a flood of
tender reminiscences. I was a youth of twenty-three, ardent and inexperienced,
when our acquaintance commenced; he, a father whose love, guidance, and sup-
port were returned by filial affection, confidence, and gratitude. Our love, like
that of Saul and Jonathan, was predous and mutual; and to me, in the novi-
tiate of my public labours, his affection, example, and counsels, were inesti-
mable.
His stature was a little below the medium. His countenance was the index
of intellect, but mild and prepossessing. His manners were those of a Christian
gentleman, — ^unaffected and winning. His intellect and scholarship were much
above mediocrity. His judgment was remarkably sound; his piety deep and
efficacious — all which rendered him among the most beloved and influential min-
isters on the Island.
As a preacher, he was intellectual, discriminating and argumentative. In his
delivery he was earnest, and in his applications powerfhl and pungent.
He was extensively known beyond the limits of the Island, as a great and
good and useful man in his day and generation. And the praises on earth can-
not add to the honours and Joys in which he has long been participating in
Heaven.
The wife of Dr. Woolworth, who was the daughter of Dr. Buell, of revival
memory, was indeed a help-meet for her husband, a mother in Israel, and to me
also; and by me greatly beloved, as her children still are. She fulfilled her
mission well, and lived long to be usefhl in the Ohurch of Qod.
I am affectionately yours,
LTMAN BEECHEB.
• BsnrasBB PsiLLXPi wm ordiined and Inttaned the iUlh FHlor of the Ohvnfa la Beet
Hampton, L. I.^ Kaj 1», 1811. Feaoie of heelth eompeQed him lo leilgB hii eheq^e, and he
ma dammed on the 16th of Menh, 1880. He remoTod to Oannel, Pntaam OooBtT, N. 7..
wheie he died not fer ftom the yeM 1840.
470 PBESBYTERIAir.
FROM THE BEY. B. S. STOBBS, D. D.
BsAurrBsa, Uan., June 18, 1867.
hLj dflar Sir : Pleuant as it is to throw back the mind on scenes that trans-
pired fifty years ago, it is not a little humiliating to mark the imperfections of a
memory, retaining yiyid impressions of general ikcts, bat failing in power to
inrestttibem with the fiieehhess of passing realities. Yet, if inefiaceable impres-
sions of moral worth made on an indiridoal mind by early acquaintance! can be
transferred in any measure to others, they will not be useless, even if not clothed
in the drapery of instructiye and amusing Incident.
Dr. Wodworth, known, fi^m early childhood, through my parents whb lored
him as a brother, and through the laige circle of his roUtives and friends, com-
posing no small part of my honoured father's congregation, — ^known also per-
sonally in later youthful years,- as a man of large heart, dear mind, and warm
sodal affecdons, — ^was selected as my theological teacher on my leaying Oollege.
Fur a year, my home was in his fiimily; and not eren a other's house could
inspire more of confidence, freedom, and affection, than fiUed the heart of his
theological noTitiate.
A more genial spirit has rarely, if erer, perraded a human bosom : in all the
relations of life, the law of kindness was erer on his tongue, while from large
treasures of knowledge and lo?e, he poured light and joyousness oyer eyery cir-
de in which he moyed.
In his insulated location, and through his ezcessiye modesty, he was not often
oalled to direct the course of students in Diyinity; but wheneyer he yielded to
sotidtations of this kind, he showed himself a workman that need not be
ashamed, and secured the highest respect of his pupils : his discriminating mind,
familiar manner, spiritual unction, and eyident anxiety to train up preachers
like Paul and John, commanded the affectionate reyerence of all who sat at his
feet, and shared the ripe fhiits of his diligent studies and yaried experience.
His preaching was eminently scriptural in form as well as spirit; his Sermons
were thoroughly prepared, and usually written out in full — ^logical, direct and
persuasiye in their construction, they were always heard with interest and pro-
fit, and formed a yaluable model for the study of those under his instruction.
As a pastor, he was unwearied in his attentions to his flock, — ^not only discharg-
ing duty fkithfully to the sick, the bereayed, the dying, and the otherwise
aifiicted, but, entering often eyery femily of his congregation with the freedom
And affection of a fether, he inyited the f^ communication of thought and feel-
ing on all subjects of interest; and enjoying the confidence of all, and ascertain-
ing their spiritual condition, he ministered instruction to godly edifying, with
oheerfUness of spirit and aptness of speech strikingly impressiye. No pastor, I
Venture to say, was oyer more entirdy trusted and tenderly beloyed by all
classes of the community— the result of a perfect transparency of character,
and an oyerflowing sympathy with them in joy and in sorrow. And when the
diyisions and alienations that, under another ministry, had preceded his settle-
ment, and the deep rooted prejudices of the *' New Lights" on the one hand,
and the infiezibility of the ** Gonseryatiyes" on the other, are taken into consid-
eration, it cannot be questioned that the skill with which he met the difficulties
of his position, and the unlimited confidence he inspired, deydoped a peculiar
fitness for his office. Always actiye and deyoted, he was yet '* wise as a ser-
pent and harmless as a doye.'* In aU good things he was zedously affected;'
but when the special presenoe of the Holy Spirit appeared, his seal burst forth
a« a glowing flame; and in the lecture room, the praying cirole, and the house of
God, alike, his heart and lips were manifestly touched by a coal firom the altar
in Heayen. It baring been my priyilega to be with him during one of the fint
and most precious reyiyals I haye oyer witnessed, his oourse of procedure.
AiJlON VOOLWOBTH. 471
vliether with the Ohristian or the nnbelieTer, the awakened sinner or Tain
cayillery left on mj mind impressions of his excellence as a spiritoal ^de,
which are still fresh as in the spring-tide of jronth, and scaroelj less important
in their practical hearings than the elahorated lectures, and convincing demon-
strations, of the Theological Tutor.
Beceiying licensure from the Long Island Presbyterj, and labouring for manj
months within its bounds, I had opportunity to learn the high estimation in
which he was held throughout the churches. Not a few of these were either par-
tially or wholly destitute of regular miuistrations^-nearly all of them had been
rent by divisions like those which had once distracted his own pai-ish — on all
sides they were assailed by the spirit of sectarianism, and needed counsel and
encouragement from the few settled ministers of their own connection. Nor
were these ministers the men to turn a deaf ear to the calls of the enfeebled
churches; and th^r missionary tours through the Island were frequent, labori-
ous, and refreshing " like a dear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the
heat of haryest.*' None sympathised more deeply in the afflictions of Ziori, nor
laboured more abundantly and successfully to relieye them, than Dr. Woolworth.
His praise was in all the churches; they looked up to him as a father, spoke of
him as an ever sympathising friend, confided in him as a sagacious counsellor,
and loYed him as an elder brother. In his bodily presence, social converse, pul-
pit teachings, and fervent prayers, they delighted; but in the absence of these,
his "letters'' were always " weighty and powerfhl," even if they conveyed but
a single item of information or advice, closing with the benediction — " Grace,
mercy and peace from our Lord Jesus Ohrist, be with you all." His name is
still as /'ointment poured ferth among those churches;" and though the lapse of
years, and the passing away of generations, must bury its sweet odour in the
same grave that treasures up his precious dust, it will be restored at the sound-
ing of the Archangel's trump, and be had in '* everlasting remembrance," as
associated with the glory of having turned many to righteousness, and shining
" as the stars forever and ever."
If I felt at liberty to take a more comprehensive view of Dr. Woolworth'M
character, and exhibit him as he appeared in the relations of a husband and
fiither, a friend and companion, a Ohristian patriot and philanthropist, or if
there were room for the detail of incidents illustrative of his theological erudi-
tion and acumen, and his pastoral fidelity and tenderness, other pages might
well be filled. For in conjugal devotion to the incomparably meek and energetic
companion of his life, and in prayerfhl solicitude for the children, of his love, he
was unsurpassed. Discriminating in his friendships, they were firm and enduring.
Choice in his companionships, they were cheerful and humorous though grave.
Ardent in his patriotism, he flinched in no struggle for his country's honour,
though his convictions of the course to secure it differed ever so widely trfmk
those of his best friends. And boundless in his philanthropy, he spared no
labour uor sacrifice to relieve suffering, and "give quietness and assurance for«
ever," at home and abroad. To youthfhl preachers he never failed to give advice
when asked, encouragement when needed, and monitory counsels when duty
prompted — wounding the sensibilities of none, increasing the efficiency of all,
and inspiring admiration of his delicacy and ikithfulness. Among his people,
whether he met errorists of one kind or another, at the fireside or in the social
circle, he quickly made th«r misapprehensions visible to themselves, in a way
that gave no offence, while it compelled their admission of the clearness of his
mind, the pureness of his heart, and the beauty of the apples of gold he set
before them in vases of silver. But I already trespass too far in indulging the
sweet reminiscences of one whose upward fiight has oft compelled the exolama
tion, "My father, my fikther ! the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof.'
Most respectfiilly and afibotionately yours,
B.S.STOBBS.
472 FBB8BTTBBUV.
FBOM THB RBY. OALTIN COLTOK, D. D.
Kiw ToBK, Septemlwr 8, 1866.
Dear Sir: In eomplianoe with your request^ I herewith transmit to 70Q a
reminisoenoe of the character of mj nndo, the Rey. Aaron Woolworth, D. B.
Ab yon are doahtless already in poueeeion of the moat important historical
points of his biography, I will confine myself to a brief record of my abiding
impression of his benevi^eneef which, thoogh natural to him, was doubtless, and
in no small degree, improved and stimolated by the eleyated tone of his Ohristian
character. When I was at Yale College, I sometimes spent a racation with my
ande at Bridgehampton, and being the son of a sister whom he lored, he took a
liyely interest in me, and showed me great kindness.
'' Oonsin,'' he used to say, '* 'Suavitir in modo^ eifariiiir tfi rt,' is an infid-
lible maxim for making onxselTes agreeable and successful in life.'' The nunir
t«r ftfi modSo he himself exhibited in a remarkable degree, and it arose from the
nerer fiiiling kindness of his heart. Howeyer I may haye failed to profit by the
maxim, I could neyer foi^t it; and through life, as often as I haye read or heard
it, or had occasion to use it, it has inyariably brought my unde to mind, with his
own manner of uttering it; and his manner was always an exemplification of
the first part of it. His feelings towards all persons were always kind, and
actiyely so, as occasion inyited or permitted. ;His domestic relations, as fesh-
ioned and cultiyated by himself, presented a calm, refiected image of the impres-
sions of his hand. A family thus trained was a beautifiil model of that sphere
of life, whence emanate the hallowing infiuences of society.
My uncle's pastoral relations were of a similar character; and he stood before
his people on the Lord's day, not only to command their attention as hearers of
the Word, but to impress upon them,— not studiously as a purpose cherished by
himself, but unatoidably from his well-known character, — a sense of his own
bright example of the doctrine he preached. The people of his parish, some-
what remote from the great bustle of the world, were primitiye in their habits,
and it needed no great stretch of imagination to oonceiye that they enjoyed the
mmistrations of a primitive pastor. Aboye all, his natural beneyolence, prompted
by the lofty motiyes of his sacred calling, was always conspicuous, because it
was always actiye; and it stood out foremost, as well in his ministerial functions,
as in his social relations. It is rare that we find so much of the man of Qod,
in this lofty sense of the term, — ^whose great aim and constant endeayour are
to reconcile men to God. We may well suppose that to haye been the daily
prayer of the closet, which was the constant and nnrelaxed effort of the life.
And in what field could the beneyolence of such a heart be more adyantageously
Dplifled?
With great respect, I am yours,
0. OOLTOH.
JOSBPH BADQSB. 473
JOSEPH BADGER *
1786—1846.
Joseph Badgbb was a descendant, in the fonrth generation, of Giles
Badger, who came from England abont the year 1685, and settled in New-
bury, Mass. He was the son of Henry and Mary (Langdon) Badger, who,
after having resided at Norwich, Conn., and afterwards, for a while, in New
Jersey, removed to that part of Springfield, Mass., which is now called Wil-
braham. Here Joseph was born on the 28th of February, 1757. His
parents were both professors of religion, and were careful in the religious
truning of their children. In 1766, the family removed to Partridgefield,
(now Peru,) in Berkshire Oounty, which was then a new and uncultiyated
place, and without any school or other means of intellectual improvement.
The counsels and prayers of his parents at this period made a powerful
impression upon his mind ; though he was subsequently led by youthful
vanities to the verge of ruin.
In February, 1775, when he had just completed his eighteenth year, he
entered the army, about three weeks after the battle of Lexington, being
enrolled in a company of Colonel John Patterson's regiment. He waited on
the Chaplun of the regiment, the Eev. David Avery, for about two years. He
was present at the battle of Bunker Hill, and was afterwards for some time
with General Arnold in Canada, serving in the different capacities of soldier,
baker, and nurse ; suffering at one time from the small-pox, and at another
from fever and ague; and often subjected to the most imminent perils.
Having, in 1777, received his discharge from the service, he went to visit
some friends in New Preston, Conn., and arrived there two days before the
British destroyed Danbury. He immediately joined a party who went forth
in pursuit of the enemy, under the command of a recruiting officer, and,
after participating in one sharp contest with them in Wilton, and another in
Fairfield, he returned to his friends in New Preston.
Shortly after this, he enlisted again as an Orderly Sergeant, until January,
1778, and was stationed first at Milford, Conn., and afterwards at White
Plains, N. T. At the expiration of this term, he visited his friends in
Massachusetts, but returned to New Preston before the close of February,
and hired himself out in the business of weaving, until the next October;
in which time he wove more than sixteen hundred yards of cloth. Having
earned a little more than enough to pay for his clothing, he resolved to
spend the remainder in acquiring some more knowledge than he had of the
elementary branches of spelling, writing, and arithmetic, — ^intending, after
a short time, to return to the army. As there was no school in New Pres-
ton, which he could attend, with the prospect of much improvement, he
placed himself under the instruction of the Bev. Jeremiah Day, in whose
family he became a boarder. Here he spent the winter of 177d-80, engaged
in study ; but in the spring he found his funds so reduced, that he was
under the necessity of again resorting to the loom.
About this time his mind became deeply impressed with the truths of
the Bible. Without experiencing any great excitement, he gradually gained
• AntoUof •— Amflr. QiiMt. Reg. Xm.— E«nn«d7*i ** Plaa of Unin."
TOL m. CO
474 ' PBSSBTTBSIAlf.
the eTidenoe, as he belioTed, of a thorough ohaiige of oharaeter, and, after
a few weeks, became a member of Mr. Day's ohuroh. He now rdinquiahed
his intention of returning to the army, and resolrod to enter on a course of
study with a view to the ministry. He immediately commenced the classics
under the instruction of Mr. Day, and, though he was repeatedly interrupted
for a considerable time in his studies, both by sickness and by teaching a
school to provide himself with necessary funds, he was enabled to enter the
Freshman cbss in Tale College at the Commencement in 1781. During
his college course he was dependant on his own exertions for support ; but,
through the indulgence of President Stiles in granting him all the fiiyours in
his power, and by teaching a school, and performing certain humble serrioes
in the College for which he received remuneration, he was enabled to
advance respectably with his class to the dose of his college course. In
his senior year, he constructed a Planetarium^ which cost him about three
months' labour, and for' which the Corporation paid him one hundred dol-
lars. He was graduated in September, 1786.
The next year after his graduation, he taught a school in Waterbury,
Conn., and studied Theology under the direction of the then aged Bev.
Mark Leavenworth ; after which, he was liccDsed to preach by the New
Haven Association. During the next winter, he supplied the pulpit at
Northbury, (now Plymouth,) Conn. On the 24th of October, 1787, he
was ordamed Pastor of the Church in Blandford, Mass., — ^the Sermon on
the occasion being preached by his friend, the Bev. Mr. Day.
While residing in Mr. Day's fiuuily as a student, Mr. Badger formed an
intimate friendsUp with Lois, a daughter of Stephen Noble, of New Milford,
and a sister of Mrs. Day. He was married to her in October, 1784, — a
little less than a year before his graduation, and three years before his settle-
ment iii the ministry. By this marriage he had seven cUldren — three sons
and four daughters.
He continued Pastor of the Church in Blandford thirteen yean. On
the 24th of October, 1800, he was dismissed from his pastoral charge,
having been appointed by the Connecticut Missionary Society to labour as
a missionary in the Connecticut Western Beserve. Accordingly, on the
16th of November following, he set out fbr that new and distant field of
labour ; and, after a tedious and somewhat perilous journey, he reached
Toungstown a little before the close of the year. He immediately com-
menced visiting the small settlements, and preaching to the few fiimilies
that composed them. The winter and spring he spent in the Southern part
of the Beserve; but, in June, as soon as the waters were fordable, he
visited the interior settlements, — ^passing on from Hudson to Cleveland,
and thence still farther to the North. He also made a tour to the Indians on
the Maumee, to ascertain their condition with reference to the establishment
of a mission among then). Betuming to Hudson in October, and thence
striking across to Austinburg, he organised a church b the latter place, on
the 24th of that month, consisting of ten males and six females. This
was the first ohuroh organised by a New England man, on the Beserve, and
the second and only church after that at Youngstown, cfTganised in this field
before the year 1802. The church at Toungstown took the Presbyterian
form ; that at Austinburg, the Congregational.
Mr. Badger now set out to return to New England, by way of BdEdo.
His health was feeble when he started on his journey ; but ihe fiUigne and
JOSEPH BAPOEB. 475
ezpoBure to which he ifaa subjected, bronght on, a fever bj which he was
confined for Bome time at BnffiEdo, with only a donbtfol prospect of recovery.
He was enabled, however, at length, to proceed on his jonmey, and, after
some further detentions by repeated attacks of illness, he reached his family
and friends, — shaving been absent from them a year and forty-seven days.
After spending a week or two with them, he repaired to Hartford, and
made a report concerning his mission to the Missionary Board, which was
accepted.
Having satisfied himself from actual observation that the soil of the
Western Beserve was good, and would admit of a dense population, and
that a door was open for extensive ministerial labours in that region, he
resolved to remove hia family thither; and, accordingly, having made the
necessary arrangements, they set out, on the 2dd of February, 1802, with
all their movable goods, in a wagon drawn by four horses, to find a home
in the wilderness. They reached Austinburg about the last of April, and
shortly after got into a rude cabin of their own, with flooring enough to
spread out their beds, but without chair or table, and without a door being
hung, or the chinks stopped. In this plight he left his family to make their
garden, and went on a missionary tour, from which he returned about the
middle of June. After spending sevend weeks in providing for the comfort
of his family, he sallied forth, in the early part of August, on another mis-
sionary tour of about two months, during which he visited nearly all the
settlements in the South part of the Beserve. In December, he commenced
his winter's tour, and, after a succession of arduous labours and perilous
adventures, was with his family again in April, 1803. On reaching home,
he found letters from the Missionary Board, renewing his appointment, but
reducing his salary to six dollars per week. He regarded this reduction as
unreasonable, and, after some correspondence on the subject, which did not
result agreeably to his wbhes, he came to the resolution in January, 1806.
to resign his appointment from the Connecticut Board, and accept one from
the Western Missionary Society at Pittsburgh. Under their patronage he
laboured among the Wyandotte Indians, in the Sandusky region, for several
years.
In the autumn of 1807, Mr. Badger moved his family to Sandusky;
but, on account of the unhealthiness of the climate, he moved them back
the next year. In November, 1809, he set out with his wife on a journey
to New England, and while she stopped with her friends at New Preston,
he proceeded to Boston, where he collected nearly eleven hundred dollars in
aid of his mission.
On his return, he went to his missionary station at Sandusky, and, after
making some necessary arrangements, repaired to Pittsburgh, and made a
report to the Missionary Board, and then returned to his fiimily. Before
he reached home, he was met with the melancholy tidings of the death of
one of his daughters. Alter spending a few days with his afflicted fieimily,
he went back to his missionary field, and pursued his labours with the
Indians until about the middle of November, when he received a letter from
his wife, informing him that their house had been burnt, with nearly all
their provbions and furniture. He immediately hastened to his distressed
&mily, and by aid kindly furnished by their neighbours and friends, he
quicUy succeeded in building another cabin, and pb^ing his family agun in
oomfortable circumstances.
476 PBSSBTTSRIAir.
In the spring of 1810, he remofed with hb itmilj to A8htah«ik.*''&eNr,
and in the ndighbouring settlements, he Ubonred in the ministry/ ree^iiig
his support, pardy from the people, and partly from the Massachnsetts
Hisnonary Soeiety.
In September, 1812, General Perkins' brigade was ordered to the West-
ward to guard the frontier. A request oame to Mr. Badger to 7isit the
oamp, and, shortly after, Qeneral Harrison, without consulting him on the
subject, appobted him Brigade Chaplain, — ^whioh was almost immediately
followed by a commission from the Goremor. He was also, about the
same time, appointed Postmaster for the army. He returned to his fiunily
about the middle of March, 1818; and had scarcely reached home whieu
one of his sons was taken with an epidemic fever, and died the third day.
On the 4th of August, 1818, his wife, after a brief but serere illness,
died, in her sixty-fourdi year. She was a person of uncommon excellence,
and had proved an efficient coadjutor with her husband in the self-denying
labours of missionary life. In April, 1819, he formed a second matrimonii^
connection with Abigail Ely,-^-« lady firom Wilbraham, Mass., who was then
on a visit to her sisters living in Salem, 0.
Mr. Badger continued to preach as usual, without any stated support,
until 1826, when he reported himself to the War department as a soldier
of the Revolution, apd was placed on the pension roll at ninety-Bix dollars
a year. In the spring of this year, in compliance with an invitation from
the people of Gustavus, in Trumbull County, he removed to that place ;
constituted a church of about thirty members, and was installed as Pastor
by the Grand Biver Presbytery, in October following. . Here he preached
for eight years, and was privileged to see no inconsiderable fruit from his
labours. About the close of that period, his voice began to fiiil, and his
general health was somewhat impaired, so that he proposed to his people to
allow him to give place to another minister. They, however, declined to do
so, and he contmued to preach, as he was able, until June, 1886, when he
was, at his urgent request, dismissed by the Presbytery of Trumbull County.
In October following, he removed to Wood County, to reside with his only
surviving daughter. He died at Perrysburg, in perfect peace, in the year
1846j in the ninetieth year of his age.
Mr. Badger always retuned his preference for Congregationalism, but
united with the Presbytery of Ohio, on the Plan of Union, shortly after he
went to the Beserve, and continued in connection with the PMsbyterian
Ohuroh till the dose of life.
FROM THE BEY. TIMOTHY MATHER COOLET, D. B.
GaAsviiuB, MsM., May 4, 1867.
My dear friend and Brother: You will not expect from a man who has passed
eighty-five, a very. extended communication on any subject; but I cannot
dedioe your request fbr my recollections of Mr. Badger, especially as I am
almost tiie only person left whose memory embraces the pbi^idn oif lus l\h that
was speqt in this neighbourhood. He was a member oT the council that
ordained me, and took part in the services of the occasion. And from that' tnoie
till he migrated to the West, he was one of my nearest ministerial aeigkbonrsw
t knew him intimately, and have, always regarded him as an extrsordinazy man.
One of the most remarkable ibatures of his diaractev was his wonderftil Versa-
tility. It seemed as if there was nothing to which he could not turn his head or
JOSEPH BADGER. 477
his band with perfect ease. I remember noticing in the mneenm of Yaile Oollege
a beantifhl Planeianwn wbich be oonstracted wbile an undergraduate^ and
wbicb was regarded as one of the most curious objects in the whole collection.
He was a bookbinder, a weayer, a carpenter,— «ny thing that the present
exigency might demand. An infidel in his parish sent him Tom Paine's Age of
Reason to bind; but I do not remember to haye heard how he treated either tbe
hooki or its unprincipled and. impudent owner. When, at one time, he wanted
the means of support, he betook himself to the loom, and earned them. When,
at another time, he found himself in need of a bam, he took his broad aze,
square and compass, and formed the frame work with his own hand. His
uniyersal genius seemed to render him independent of artificers of eyery kind.
You might suppose that tlus quality to which I haye now adyerted would be
yery likely to interfere with his spirituality, and to discoyer itself in ways
hardly consistent with the highest degree of ministerial usefulness. But thus it
was not. The duties of the ministry were eyidently, in his estimation, para-
mount to eyery thing else; and the yarious kinds of handicraft to which he
resorted, were all rendered subsenrient to the ulterior object of the " further-
ance of the Gospel.*' In religious conyersation he was pleasant, instructiye, dis-
criminating and experimental. In prayer he was eminently gifted, and appa-
rently highly deyout. In his sermons he made up in yigorous and well digested
thought, for any defects which, owing to his imperfect early education, might be
apparent in his style. He neyer hesitated to rebuke sin either in priyate or in
public; and I doubt not that he could say with another distinguished minister now
gone to his rest, — '*I am not aware that, in preparing my sermons, I eyer
inquired what would please or displease my hearers.*' I well remember that in
a sermon I heard him preach before the Hampden Association, he brought out
some of the higher points of GaWinism, with a directness and pungency almost
startling. One of the ministers present, whose orthodoxy was, to say the least,
not of the most rigid type, — when it came to him to criticise the sermon,
remarked as follows: — ^** Brother Badger's sermon reminds me of old Mr.
Moorhead's third proposition — ' I shall speak fh>m the text,' said he, ' in three
propositions — ^1. I shall toll you something that I know about, and you know
nothing about. 2. I shall allude to something which you know about, but I
know nothing about. 3. I shall speak of what we don't any of us know any-
thing about.' "
Mr. Badger possessed a spirit of courage and perseyerance, unsurpassed. His
personal trials and sufllerings, during much the greater part of his long life,
exceeded those of any other minister in this country within my knowledge.
Few, if any, clergymen could haye been found in New England who would haye
thus cheerfully — ^I may say heroically — ^relinquished the charge of an intelligent
people, to encounter the depriyations and perils of a missionary, in the then
trackless wilds of Ohio. His record is in Heayen.
With the warmest affection,
your brother in Ohrist,
TIMOTHY MATHER GOOLEY.
7B0M THE BEY. GEORGE E. FIERCE, D. D.,
puaxpsxT Of VHx wwnur aasxByn ooujias.
Hunsoir, O.. March U, 1867.
Bear Sir: My opportunities for personal acquaintance with the Rey. Joseph
Badger haye not beien great. I came to the Reserye in 1834, and he closed-hiB
labours, as Pastor of the Church in Gustayus, the following year,-^— aft^r which,
he preached but occasionally for the remaining ten yekrs of his lift. Haying,
howeVer,* resided upon his former' field of labour, my own impressions in
478 FBBSBTTEBIAH.
r^g»rd to him hare been oonflrmed bj interoouw with thoie who know him
more intimateljr.
In person^ he wm abore the medium siie^ of a strong and mnBCoIar frame, and
yet not pecoliarlj corpulent. The Ibaturee of his coantenanoe were stron^y
mariced, bold, expresslYe and manly. In his manners he was frank, open, benero-
lent and sympathetic. A stranger soon felt at home with him, and prapared to
receire with confldenoe information on all points of interest within the field of
his labours.
His talents in the pulpit were above mediocrity. Though not eloquent accord-
ing to the refined notions of rhetoric, yet, with a strong and vigorous intellect,
and sincere devotion to the great end of preaching, he was clear, forcible and
discriminating in the presentation of Gospel truth and Ohristian duty, flis
public labours were held in general estimation, as always instructive, and calcu-
lated to make a happy impression on the minds of his hearers. His Thedogy
was in accordance with the best standards in Litchfield and Berkshire Oounties,
in the days of .Griffin, Porter, Mills, Shepherd, and Hyde.
Though a Congregationalist in New England, he entered into cordial co-opera-
tion, upon the Flan of Union, with the Presbyterian ministers in this vicinity.
In the s|nrit of peace and Ohristian fellowship, he assisted them in the admin-
istration of ordinances, according to their forms, and received their assistance in
the Congregational Churches which he organized. At the beginning of his mis-
sionary labours, the Presbyterian Ohurches were in the enjoyment of powerftd
revivals of religion, attended with certain well known peculiarities. These
peculiarities he ascribed to the power of God, and they were no hindrance in the
way of co-operation. The great peace and prosperity of the Ohurches on the
Beserve, for the first quarter of a century, were in a good degree the result of
the wise and unsectarian arrangements of their first missionary.
As a man, Mr. Badger had some prominent traits of character, of much avail
to him as a missionary in a new country. His powers of endurance, determina-
tion, and perseverance, were put in requisition, when, leaving his fiunily scantily
provided for, he travened dense forests alone, with only an Indian trail or pocket
compass to direct his way, and sought every remote settlement, to encourage
and cheer the lonely inhaUtants, and instruct and edify them with Gospel truth.
His knowledge of human nature and power of adaptation made him, to the people,
profitable and interesting. Though not a physician, he was often in ikmilies
where other medical advice could not be had, and, in such dreumstances, did
not hesitate to administer medidne, and perform the minor dass of surgical
operations. By his mechanical skill, he could assist the fiumer in repairing the
broken implements of husbandry. If his horse lost a shoe in the woods, he
could replace it, having the article, with nails and hammer, in his saddlebags.
When a loaded wagon had broken an azletree, ten miles from any habitation,
with an aze, an augur, and a pocket knife, he spliced it, fitted it to the wheel,
and went on his way.
His medical and mechanical skill availed him in the camp, as well as on the
missionary field. Heentered the Bevolutionary army at the age of eighteen. In
the hospital at Fort George, there were many sick and in very distressing dr-
eumstances. Not a dish of any kind could be found from which to administer
drink or medidne. Besort was had to dishes made of bark and chips scooped
out with a knife. The commanding officer sought for a man who could turn
wooden dishes. Mr. Badger, who was acting the part of a nurse, volunteered
for the service, tooln were ordered, and soon a good supply of dishes were ftuv
nished.
When he served as OhapUin in the War of I8I2, he was attadied to a regi-
ment stationed at Lower Sandusky, now Fremont, in this State. The settle-
ment was small, and the anny, eneampeid in the woods, was short of proyidonsy
JOSEPH BADQEB. 470
ft&d snffored eBpeoialljr in tlUt thej had no means for grinding their corn. Mr.
Badger, hj horing and burning, scooped ont a large oik stump in the form of a
mortar. In this he placed an upright shaft, fitted at the end for a pestle, and
gave it motion by means of a horizontal spring pole, fiwtened to the neighbour-
ing trees, and thus the corn was pounded. When he had got his machinery in
operation, he called on Colonel Darrow, the commanding officer of the station,
now living in this township, and firom whom I hare the statement, and asked
him if he eyer heard of priestcraft? He replied, '*Tes." " Would you like to
see a specimen ?" " Yes." So he took him to the woods and showed him his
contriyanoe.
Many incidents might be related, showing Mr. Badger's labours and perils as a
missionary. The story of his encounter with a bear is familiar in many &mi*
lies, and bids fair to be handed down, as one of the tales of the nursery. On the
eye of a dark rainy night, the streams being much raised, he came to a fbrd on
Grand Biyer, and crossed, intending to encamp on the bank. He was preyented
by the snapping and growling of some animal near. It soon became so dark
that he could not see his hand holding the bridle, and he knew by the noise,
that a bear was continually approaching. Haying a horse shoe in his hand, and
guided by the noise, he threw it, but without effect. He reined his horse right
and left, that he might find a tree, and climb from danger. Succeeding in this,
he fltftened the bridle to the smaller limbs, rose upon his saddle, and ascended
the tree. The bear came to the root, and, as he supposed, began to climb.
Gaining a firm footing, he drew a sharp knife, and prepared for battle. But, as
the bear did not approach, he ascended about forty feet into the top of the tree,
feund a conyenient place to sit upon a limb, and tied himself to the tree with a
large bandana, that he might be more safe, if he should fall into a drowse. The
night was most dreary, with storm, and wind, and heavy peals of thunder.
ProyidentiaUy the horse was not frightened, but remained a quiet sentinel at
the foot of the tree. Being drenched with rain, he shook his saddle, and so
frightened the bear, that he retreated a few rods, where he remained growling
and snapping his teeth till near daylight, when he left the premises, and the
missionary went to his home in safety.
Yours respectfully,
QEOBGE E. PIEBGE.
ASHBEL GREEN, D. D *
1786—1848.
AsHBSL Gbssn was bom at Hanoyer, Morris County, N. J., July 6,
1762. His father was the Bey. Jacob Green, who was, for many years,
minister of the Presbyterian Congregation in Hanoyer, and his mother was
a daughter of the Bey. John Pierson, long Pastor of the Presbyterian
Church in Woodbridge, N. J., and granddaughter of the Bey. Abrahiun
Pierson, first President of Tale College.
He was prepared to enter College, chiefly by his father. It was his
ftther's original intention that he should be a farmer ; and he accordingly
engaged a pioUs and respectable fiinner of his congregation to take charge
of him and his elder brother, with a yiew to iSkevr beooming aoqnabted with
the difilBrent branches of hmibandry. It being apparent that this son had a
• AvtoU0gr»pl^ edited ^ B«y. Dr. J. H. Jones.— MS. tnm Hon. JamM 8. drm.
480 PSSSBTTEBIAH.
strong tbirst for knoivledge, and was bent upon obtaining a ooUegiate edu-
oation, his father did not think proper to oppose it ; bat allowed him to
pursue his preparatory studies under his own direction. He, afterwards,
in acoordanoe with his father's advioe, engaged in teaching first an English,
and then a Orammar, school, devoting his leisure hours to his own improTO-
ment. His father, who was a physician as well as a clergyman, sometimes
put in requisition his services in the performance of his medical duties, and
in this way the son acquired some knowledge of medicine, which. proved an
important advantage to him in after life.
The father being a sealous Whig in the Bevolution, the son early imbibed
the same spirit, and when a mere stripling, was enrolled in the lists of those
who were fighting for their country's liberties. The highest office which he
attained, was that of Orderly Sergeant in the militia; but he seems always
to have been on the alert, at the call for military aid, and in one instance
at least, — at the attack on Elisabethtown Point, — was exposed to imminent
danger. His reminiscences, in old age, of Bevolationary times, were minute
and interesting; not a few of which are happily preserved in his auto-
biography.
As young Green was remarkably intelligent for a person of hb years, he
became familiar, during the Bevolution, with many of the officers of the
American army ; and, as infidelity prevailed extensively among them, he
caught, in some degree, the sceptical spirit. Being, however, dissatisfied
with the state of mind into which he had been brought, he resolved to make
the Divine authority of the Scriptures the subject of candid investigation ;
and, accordingly, read some of tiie most able and popular works in defence
of Christianity. Though he was now satisfied that the defenders of Bev-
elation had the best of the argument, yet his mind was still in an unsettled
state ; and it occurred to him that the fairest way of settling the question
was by an examination of the Bible itself. Accordingly, he took up the
New Testament as if he had never read it before ; and he had not gone
through the Bvangelists, before he was entirely cured of his scepticism.
And this was but a preparation for his receiving the truth in the love of it.
He gave much time now to private meditation and devotion ; and at no dis-
tant period, as ho believed, gave himself to God in an everlasting covenant.
During tiie period in which this mental and spiritual change was passing •
upon him, he was occupied in teaching a school ; but in the month of
November^ 1781, he left his school, and returned to his father's, where he
spent the ensuing winter in study, with a view to enter College at an
advanoed standing in the spring. So intense was his application during that
winter, that his eyesight was very much impaired, and in the following
spring he ^as compelled, for some weeks, to cease from study altogether.
His predilection seems to have been for Tale College ; and had it not been
for tiie accidental delay of a letter in answer to one which he had written
to a friend, making inquiries concerning the expenses, course of study, &c.,
at Yale, he would undoubtedly have gone thither for his education. The
delay of that letter he was accustomed to consider as having given the deci-
sive complexion to his life. He was admitted to the Junior class in the
College of New Jersey, after it had gone through half its usual course, in
the spring of 1782.
Nbtwitiistanding Mr. Green had spent but about a year and a half in
OoUege,iMi an undergraduate, so thorough. had been his preparation, and so
ASHBEL GREEK. 4gX
Tigbroiu and matare was his miDd, that, at the Oommenoement at whioh he
graduated, he received the highest honour, in being appointed to deliver the
Valediotorj Oration. It was a oiroomstanoe of no small interest that Wash-
ington was present on the occasion ; and the orator oonoladed by a direct
address to that illnstrions man. Washington met him the next day, and
passed a high compliment upon his performance.
Immediately after his graduation, he wss appointed a Tutor in the Ool-
lege, accepted the appointment, and continued to hold the office two years.
He was then appointed to the chair of Professor of Blathematics and Natu-
ral Philosophy, and held that a year and a half. In November, 1785, he
was married to the eldest daughter of Bobcrt Stockton, of Princeton. Hav-
ing pursued a course of study under Dr. Witherspoon, in connection with
his duties as an officer of College, he was licensed to preach by the
Presbytery of New Brunswick in February, 1786. He, at one time, had
serious doubts whether to devote himself to the ministry, or to the profes-
sion of Law ; and he seems to have been decided in favour of the former,
by a casual remark addressed particularly to his conscience, by Dr. Samuel
Stanhope Smith, then Vice President, and afterwards President, of the
Oollege.
His first sermon he preached in the church at Princeton, in the hearing
of his venerable friend and instructor,* Dr. Witherspoon, who, at the close
of the service, expressed his approbation by tapping him on the shoulder,
and saying, — ** Well, well, continue to do as well as that, and we'll be sat-
isfied " — '* the only praise," said Dr. Green, " that he ever gave me to my
face."
His first invitation to a settlement in the ministry was from the Independ-
ent Congregation oj^ Charleston, 8. C. Shortly after, he received a similar
invitation from the Second Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. In the
former case, he was to be the colleague of Dr. HolHngshead, then a young
man ; in the latter, of the venerable Dr. Sproat, who wss fiur advanced in
life. It was in view of the difference of age between the two men, with
whom it was proposed that he should be associated', that Dr. Witherspoon,
whose opinion on all subjects he seems to have regarded as well nigh era*
oular, advised him to accept the call from Philadelphia. He did accept it^
and was ordained and installed, in May, 1787. The Sermon on the occa-
sion was preached by Dr. Ewing, and was afterwards published.
In 1787, he was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society.
His certificate of membership bears the signature of Benjamin Franklin as
President, and John Ewing, William White, and David Bittenhouse, as=
Vice Presidents.
In the year 1780, during the session of the First General Assembly, Hr^
Green exchanged pulpits with Dr. Bodgers of New York, who was Mode-
rator of the Assembly, and who was the more desirous of having his own
pulpit well supplied, sa Congress was then in session in New York, and a
large part of tibe members were accustomed to attend his church. Dr.
Bodgers' congregation, who were then looking out for a colleague to theit*
pasior, were so ftivourably impressed with Mr. Green's public services, that
they were about resolving to make an effort to secure them permanent^,
when, — ^the circumstance being communicated to him, — he interposed a ^er^
emptory prohibition of any such movement.
Vol. m. 61
482 PEESBYTBBIiJr.
. In 1790, Mr. Gkeenwas a member of the General Aeaemblj, and made a
motion that the interoonrae between the Presbyterian and Oongregational
miniBterB, whioh had exieted through a oonvention, preyiooe to the Bevoln-
tionary war, shoold, with the approbation of the latter* be renewed. This
motion watf carried, and ^ae taken efTeot in the oorreepondence whioh has
sabsbted between the Presbjteriaa and Oongregational Bodies to the present
time.
It was joat at the close of this first General Assembly of which he was a
member, that he received intelligenoe of the extreme ilhiess,and apparently
approaching death, of hu &ther. He hastened to Hanover, bnt did not
arrive till after his Other's death and bnrial. His visit, however, was impor-
tant, not merely as a visit of condolence to the surviving members of the
family, but as it gave him an opportunity of counselling and insthieting,
in public and in private, many of his old friends and ndghbours, who were
anxiously concerned in regard to their salvation. His temporary labours
among them were supposed to have been productive of the happiest conse-
quences.
In the month of June, 1791, — his health being somewhat reduced,— he
took a journey into New England, as far as Portsmouth, N. H., visiting
most of the intervening places of any importance. He was absent from
home nearly two months, during whioh time he mingled in many interest-
ing scenes, and made the acquaintance of many distinguished men. His
observations on the state of society, and especially on many prominent
characters of the day, as they appear in his autobiography, are highly inter-
esting. He returned to Philadelphia about the last of July, with his health
and spirits much recruited, and with a large addition to the treasury of his
gratefol recollections concerning the land of his &tkers.
In 17912, he was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Divimty from
the University of Pennsylvania. The same year, he was elected Ohaplain
to Oongress, and was re-elected by every sucoessive Oongresa, till the
removal to Washington in 1800; so that he held the Ohaplainoy, in conneo-
Uon with Bishop White, for eight years.
In 1798, the yellow fever prevailed in Philadelphia with terrible mor-
tality. Dr. Green and his wife were both seriously ill for some time, and
finally left the city, and went to Princeton, not so much, however, to avoid
the pestilence, as on account of having received intelligenoe that their child
at Princeton was dangerously ill. This intelligence indeed proved erro-
neous ; but, after they had onoe reached Princeton, the Doctor was urged
by his fidends in Philadelphia, and among them by his good old colleague.
Dr. Sproat, by no means to vekiture a speedy return to the city. But
soaMely had this advice been given before Dr. Sproat himself fell a victim
to the disease. He died on the 18th of October; but Dr. Green delayed
his return to Philadelphia till the 9th of the succeeding month. On Sun-
day, the 16th, he preached a Sermon with reference to the death of his ool-
league, which produced a powerful impression on the audienoe, and was
afterwards published.
Dr. Green being now deprived of his first colleague, the burden of his
duties was greatly increased ; and, in the course of the succeeding winter,
the Second and Third Presbyterian Churches of Philadelphia •entered mto
an arrangement to obtain the services of the Rev. (afterwards Dooter) > Jo^
N. Abed, with an understanding that he should serve the Secoiid' Church
ASHBEL GBBEV. 4g3
two ihirds of his time, and the Third Ohuiroh the remaining third. He ^
mMordinglj installed as Colleagne Pastor with Dr. Qreen ; bat Ihe plan of
nnion between the two chnrohes did not work well, and it wes'but a diort
time before he accepted a call from the Reformed Datoh Ohnrch in New
York. The relation between him and Dr. Green was mntnally pleasant, not
only while they held a common charge, bnt as long as Dr. Abeel liyed. Dr.
Gkeen has left this strong testimony in his favoor, — that *' he was a most
amiable man, and one of the best preachers in onr oonntry." His remoral
to New York was in the year 1795.
The yellow fever reappeared in PhOadelphia in 1707. Dr. Green, hav-
ing fixed his famOy at Princeton, remained in the city daring nearly the
whole time, ministering on the Sabbath to not more than one third of the
namber that nsoally composed his congregation. And, notwithstanding the
pecnliar impressiveness of his disconrses in connection with the awfdl visita-
tion of Providence, he had no evidence that, daring the whole period, a
solitary individoal was broaght to repentance. When the same disease
commenced its ravages again in the sncceeding year, (1708,) he had no hesi-
tation in retiring from the city, and advising as many of his congregation as
coold, to do the same. He aidopted the same coarse ander similar droam-
stences in 1700 and 1802.
In the year 1700, Dr. Green was relieved from a portion of * his clerical
dnties, by being allowed to receive as a coUeagae the Bev. <(now Dr.y Jacob
J. Janeway. With him, as with both his preceding colleagaes; he lived on
terms of the most affectionate intimacy; and no one of Dr. Green's con-
temporaries is more ready now than Dr. Janeway to pay a tribate to his
eztraordinaxy worth. The yoanger colleagne continned his relation to the
church, after the elder had resigned his charge, to occapy another field.
Dr. Green, as early as 1780, was attacked with a violent inflaenaa, which
ended in chronic rheamatism. This, with some other painfrd bodily affec-
tions, had prodnced an occasional melancholy, which interfered greatly, not
only with his religious enjoyment, bat with the free and comfortable dis-
charge of hb public duties. In the hope of obtaining relief from these
comphunts, he made a journey, in the summer of 1800, in company with a
friend, to the Warm and Sweet Springs of Virginia. In this journey he
made the acquaintance of Bishop Madison, the Bev. Dr. Baxter, and other
excellent imd distinguished persons, and made many interesting ojbservations
on the natural cariosities of the country through which he travelled. He
reached home about the middle of October, after an absence of somewhat
more than three months, with his bodily health materially benefitted, bat
without having experienced a proportional relief from mental depreteion.
This continued, in a greater or less degree, for nearly two years, and gim*
dually disappeared in consequence of a monthly blood-letdng which he
adopted without consuhing a physician.
In March, 1802, the edifice of the College of New Jersey, with the except
tion of the walls, was reduced to ashes. The Board of Trustees,— <»f which
Dr. Green had been one from the year 1700, — ^immediately ajMmbled, and
he was appointed to write an' Address to the public, and to deliver another
Address to the students ; both of which duties he satisfkctorily'diseharged,
and both Addresses were published. Dr. Smith, the President of the 06)-
lege, was requested to visit South Oarblina, to solicit beiiefacfiotts. He
consented to this proposal, only on condition that Dr. Green should hiive
484 FRESBTTERIAir.
gome Orenight of the Oollege daring his abfleooe. Aooordingly, Dr. Gieen
iotoally aosamed this regpoDsibililj, and made several yirita to PriDoeton,
wMle the FreFident was performing bis tour; preaohing on the Sabbath,
attending examinations, and oonnselling the Faonltj on yarioos matters,
and eo-operating with them in the administration of disoipline.
In January, 1807, he lost the wife of his youth, after haying liyed with
her in the marriage state more than twenty-one years. Her death was pre-
oeded by a lingering and protracted illness, which kept his services in almost
constant requisition. His own testimony in respect to her b, that ''she
was a patient and humble Christian." During her illness, and especially
after her death, he suffered greatly from ill health, and from a return of
the disep depression of spirits to which he had before been subject; but he
continued his labours without interruption, and considered them, on the
whole, as haying been quite as useful as in any other period of his ministiy.
In 1809, the first Bible Society in the United States was formed by seye-
ral philanthropic indiyiduals in Philadelphia, and Dr. Green wrote an
Address to the public, stating the nature of the Association, and inviting
other places to follow their example. This Address had a yery extensiye
circulation, and did much to awaken the public mind to the obligation of
giving the Bible to the destitute. Bishop White was the first President
of the Society^ and Dr. Green succeeded him, and retained the offioe as long
as he liyed.
In October of tUs year, Dr. Ghreen was married to Ohristiana Anderson,
the eldest child of Oolonel Alexander Anderson. In speaking of this con-
nection he says, — "The mending of a broken family is commonly a delicate
affair, especially for a minister of the Gospel. But, on this oc(»sion, I. had
the happiness to find that my three sons approved of the choice I had made ;
and that not an individual of my congregation, so far as known to me, was
dissatisfied with it."
The proposal to establish a Theological Seminary in the Presbyterian
Church was first introduced into the Geneial Assembly in Hay, 1809; and
the next year a resolution to this effect was adopted with great unanimity,
and a comndttee appointed to draft a Constitution or Plan for the proposed
Seminary. Of this committee Dr. Green was Chairman, and the important
document that was produced was from his pen. In May, 1812, the Gkne*
val Assembly appointed a Board of Directors for the new institution, and
thiy elected Dr. Green as their President, which offioe he continued to fill
till his death. He evinoed, in yarious ways, his devoted attachment to the
Seminary^ and neyer failed to be present at the meetings of the Board of
Directors, until the infirmities of age rendered his attendance absolutely
impcaeticable.
In. August, 1812, he was elected President of the College of New Jersey.
This appointment took him by surprise ; but, after considerable hesitation,
he conduded io accept it. On the resignation of his pastoral charge,
instead of deliyering a Farewell Sermon, as is common on such occasions,
he circulated among the congregation a printed Address, containing appro-
priate counsels and exhortations. His pastoral relation was dissolyed by
the Presbytery of Philadelphia on the 20th of October, and on the 29th,
he went to Princeton to enter upon his new field of labour. He reoeiyed,
tUa year, the degree of Doctor of Laws from the Uniyersity of North Caro-
lina.
ASHBEL GREBV. 4g5
At the close of the year 1818, lie experienoed a mosi severe aflUotion in
Uie death of his eldest son. He was a joang lawyer of great promiset
settled in Philadelphia, and greatly respected and beloved by sU his acqauni-
iMace. Being exhausted by heat and labonr, ho left the city with a view to
recover his health. Having spent a little time at Ballston Springs, hcf
passed over to Boston, in company with a friend, bnt on the way was
attacked with more serious indisposition; and, after having been at Boston
about ten days, during which no serious apprehensions were entertained
respecting him, he suddenly died. His Other's reflections on the occasion
evinced the keenest sense of bereavement, mingled with the most profound
submission to the Divine will.
But scarcely had the poignancy of thb affliction ceased to be fdt, before
he experienced yet another in the death of his second wife. She died
suddenly in March, 1814, in consequence of a premature confinement. She
was a lady of uncommonly vigorous mind, great discretion, and earnest piety.
Their connection was for a little less than four yean and a half.
In the winter and spring of 1816, a very unusual attention tp religion
prevailed in the OoUege of New Jersey, which resulted in the hopeful con-
version of a large number of the students. One of the chief instrumentali-
ties which Dr. Green recognised in connection with this work, was the study
of the Sacred Scriptures, which he introduced soon al^r he came to the
Presidential chair, and which constituted a regular Sabbath afternoon exer-
cise. After the excitement attending the revival had passed away, the
President made a long and able Beport concerning it to the Trustees of the
OoUege, which was afterwards published, with an Appendix containing
Questions and Counsel designed to ud those who believed themselves to
have been subjects of the work. The pamphlet was widely circulated, and
found its way into the hands of the Bditors of the London Ohristian
Observer, who, while they seemed to r^oioe in the &ots which it contabed,
doubted the expediency of the publication.
In October, 1816, he was married (for the third time) to a daughter of
Major John McCulloch, of Philadelphia. In November, 1817, after a some-
what gradual decline, she also was taken from him by death. I was present
at her funeral, and was struck with the fiu)t that Dr. Green joined in sbg-
ing the hymn, while the coffin of his wife lay by the side of him.
Dr. Oreen continued to occupy the Preddential chair till September,
1822, when, on account of the infirmities of advancing age, and other con-
siderations which he deemed it not necessary to specify, he tendered the
resignation of his offioe. The Trustees, in accepting his reBignation^
expressed th^ high appreciation of his services, and tiheir regret that he
had felt constrained to take such a step. The Congregation of Princeton,
tiirough their Trustees, signified their grateful sense of the many favours
which he had shown them. And finally, the students of the Oolite, by a
committee, addressed him a letter, testifying, in the wannest termp, their
respect for his character, their disappointment in being deprived of his
instructions, and their wishes that the evening of his life might prove the
serene harbinger of an eternal rest
Notwithstanding one principal motive which induced Dr. Green to retire
from the Presidency, was that he might be relieved from the great amount
of care and responsibility which his official duties imposed upon him, he con-
tinued to labour for several years in a different field with nnremilted activity.
486 PBESBTTBBIAH.
Qe immediately took up bia residence in FUladelpUa Mid lenudned Aerey
with oooasional absenoee of a few weeks, till tke close of life. He became
the Editor of the Ohriatian Advocate, a montkly religions periodical, which
he continued for twelre years. A large portion of the articles' were written
by himself, and were marked by his characteristic perspicuity and yigonr.
PreyiouB to his removal to Princeton, he had deliverad a course of Lectures
on the Assembly's Gateehism; and, by the urgent rec{uest of his friends, he
oonsented, after his return, to repeat them. They were now most of them
either rewritten, or written for the first time : they were published origi-
nally in the Christian Advocate, but aflerwards in two volumes, duodecimo,
under the direction of the General Assembly's Board of Publication. In
addition to these important services he preached to an African Congregation
for two years and a half, besides frequently supplying the pulpits of his
brethren, and meeting almost innumerable demands which* were made upon
his time by the general interests of the Church, and the various enterprises
of Christian benevolence.
Dr. Green's decline, &r several of the Isat years of his life, was exceed-
ingly gradual ; and, after he retired from public labour, and chiefly from
pubUc observation, he spent most of his waking hours in exercises of devo-
tion. His last public appearance was in the Genera] Assembly of 1846,
where, without making his intenUon previously known, he, unexpectedly to
the Assembly, showed himselfl As he entered the door, supported by two
individuals, tibe whole Assembly instmctively rose, and remained standbg till
he was conducted to his seat. The Moderator briefly addressed him, and he
uttered a few appropriate words in reply, and shortly after retired. For
aeveral of his last months, his articulation was very indistinct, so that even
those who were most accustomed to converse with him, found it difficult to
understand him ; and though his intellectual powers had greatly declined,
yet hia habit of devout meditation and prayer never forsook him. It was
remarkable, however, that, a few days before his death, when his mind
seemed burdened with its meditations, to which it was unable to give
expression,— on hearing read a portion of the first chapter of the GkMipel
by John, he was suddenly relieved from the difficulty of utterance, and
bnArst out in a most fervent and eloquent atrain of thanJcagiving to Gt>d for
aU his mercies, and especially for his unspeakable gift. The power of dia-
tinct articulation then left him to return no more. His death occurred on
the 19th of May, 1848, when he had almost completed lus eighty-sixth
year. The General Aeaembly of the Presbyterian Church was then in
session m Baltimore; and when the news of his death reached them, they
noticed it in a way which mdicated at once their veneration for his character,
and their gratitude for his services. His remains were removed to Prince-
ton, to repose among the graves of his illustrious predecessors in the Presi-
dency of tile College of New Jersey. An appropriate Sermon was preached at
;his Funeral by his intimate friend and former coUeague, the Bev. Dr. Janeway.
, 7)f. Green was the father of four chOdren, — three by the first marriage,
and one by the second. One of his sons, Jacobs was a Professor of Chemis-
try in Jefierion College, and died in February, 1841. Another, Jamu
.jSproiU, became, an eminent lawyer, and resides at Princeton, N. J.
Dr. Green was identified with the history of the Presbyterian Church,
fmt more than any man who survived to the period of his death. He was
% iPresbyterian from the strongest conviction ; and whatsoever he found
ASHBEL GftESK. 4g7
to do in promoting the interests of Presbyterianism, he did with, bis
might. He was Moderator of the General Assembly in 1824. In the
great oontro?ersy whioh issued in the diyisioa of the Church in ISST. he
was firmly, steridy with the Old School ; and is uuderstood to have heartily
concurred in the ultimate measures which were adopted. He watched
the progress of the contest with the closest scrutiny and deepest conceru;
until he considered aU the principles for which he had contended as settled ;
and then seemed gracefully to lay aside his armour, like a warrior letiriug
from the battle field. He was aJways an earnest friend of missions ; and,
though he was connected with different missionaxy associations, not under
the care of the General Assembly, he was greatly in favour of a distinct
Presbyterian organisation, and exerted an important influence in effecting it.
Dr. Green's literary labours were considerable. In addition to those
already mentioned, he superintended an edition of Dr. Witherspoon's works
in 1802, and left in manuscript a somewhat extended biography of that
eminent man, designed to be prefixed to a new and more complete edition of
his wor^DB. For several years, beginning with 1804, he had the chief edito-
rial responsibility of the General Assembly's Magaiine, — a periodical whioh
attracted considerable notice in its day. In 1822, he published an elabo-
rate History of the Oollege of New Jersey, in connection with a series of
his Baccalaureate Discourses. These Discourses are marked by grtot
ability, and are perhaps the noblest monument of the author's intellect,
which he has left behind him. He publiahed also a History of Presbyterian
Missions.
Besides the larger works, and the contributions to periodicals above
referred to. Dr. Green published the following : — A Sermon at the Funeral
of the Bev. Dr. DuffieUi, 1790. The Address and Petition of a number of
the Clergy of Philaddphia to the Senate and House of Bepresentatives of the
State of Pennsylvania, relative to Theatrical exhibitions, 1793. A Sermon
occasioned by the death of the Bev. Dr. Sproat, 1798. Obedience to the laws
of God: A Fast Sermon, 1798. An Address of the Trustees of the Col-
lege of New Jersey, 1802. An Address to the Students and Faculty of
the Oollege of New Jersey, 1802. A Discourse at the Opening for public
worship of the Presbyterian Church in the Northern Liberties of Philadel-
phia, 1806. An Address of the Bible Society of Philadelphia, 1809.
Boport of a Committee of the (General Assembly, exhibiting the Plan of a
Theological Seminary, 1810. Life and death of the righteous : An Address
at the Funeral of the Bev. WiUiam M. Tenneht, D. D., 1810. Advice and
Exhortation addressed to the people of the Second Presbyterian Church in
Philadelphia, on resigning the pastoral charge of that Congregation, 1812.
A Beport to the Trustees of the College of New Jersey, relative to a Bevi-
val of Beligion among the students of said Oollege in the winter and spring
of 1815. Doing good in imitation of Christ : A Discourse delivered in the
Oollege of New Jersey, the Sabbath preceding the Annual Commencement,
1822. Christ crucified, the characteristic of apostolic preaching: A Ser-
mon delivered at the opening of the (General A^embly of the Presbyterian
Church, 1826. The Christian duty of Christian women : A Discoi^rse
delivered at Princeton before a Female Society for the support of a female
school in India, 1826. A Sermon (National Preacher, No. 89) delivered
at the openbg of the Synod of Philadelphia, 1826. An Address at the
488 FBESBYTERIAH.
intennent of Robert BalstoB, 1886. A Semon at the WUteftold Ohi^t
1886.
My personal recoUeotioos of Dr. Green oommenpe with the period of my
beooming a member of the Theological Seminary at Princeton, in the
antumn of 1816. He was then in the midet of hie Preeidential career, in
luB full vigonr, and perhaps at the height of his nsefolness. During the
period of my course in the Seminary, I knew him chiefly as a preacher ;
and I can tndy say that I have heard few preachers statedly, whose public
seryices were equally edifying and impressive. His sermons were always
fine specimens of lo|^c, were richly imbued with the evangelical spirit, and
abounded in mature and vigorous thought. His manner was deeply serious,
but not for the most part highly impassioned, though there were passages in
almost every sermon, that he uttered with great force and effect. There
was nothing about his appearance in the pulpit, that seemed painfully arti-
fii^, and yet it was evident that his tones. Us attitudes, his gesture,
indeed evexy thing pertaming to his manner, were the result of careful
study. I have understood that, in early life, his mauner was much more
free and more attractive to the mass of hearers than in his latter years ; and
this was probably owing, in a degree at least, to an affection of the head,
which, in some instances, obliged him to sit down in the midst of his
service, at other times to suspend his labours altogether, and onoe or twice
was the occauon of his falling in the street. His sermons on the Sabbath
were always written, and the manuscript lay before him ; but he read with
so much freedom that his reading did not at all impair the effect of his
delivery. Some of his most edifying discourses were delivered at a Thurs-
day evening lecture in the OoUege, which most of the students of the
Seminary were accustomed to attend. On these occasions he always sat,
and never used notes ; and though his expositions of Scripture were then
more simple, and less formal and studied, than on the Sabbath, and indeed
rose little above the tone of familiar conversation, yet they seemed to bring
out the mind of the Spirit, and to come to the hearts of his hearers, quite as
effectually as his more elaborate productions. His prayers were always
varied to suit any oooasion that might occur, and his last prayer always
referred felicitously to the subject of his discourse ; but the prayer that
ordinarily preceded the sermon, was so nearly a form, that it soon became
so &miliar to me that I could repeat large portions of it. I have reason to
believe that his public prayers were generally premeditated, and some of
tKem, I know, were written.
I have said that I knew Dr. (}reen, while I was in the Seminary, chiefly
as a preacher; but shortly before I finished my theological course, I was
brought into pleasant social relations with him, which continued without
interruption as long as he lived. I occasionally visited him at Philadelphia,
and always found him dignified and stately indeed, but perfectly kind. I
bad occasion two or three times to ask important favours of him ; and no
man could have granted them more readily. On one occasion, when the
Old and New School controversy in the Presbyterian Church was at its
height, I got into a stage coach with him at Princeton to go to Phila-
delphia ; and, as I knew how deeply his feelings were interested in the
great questions at issue, I thought of nothing but that we should hear those
questions discussed throughout the whole journey. But, to my great snr^
prise, the good old msn never opened his lips to make an allusion to the
ASHBEL GBEEK. 489
sabjeot. He went baek to the Boenes of his earlier dayi, and related
nnmerona aneedotea oonnected witli the Befolntion and subsequent periods,
whieh not myself only, but all his fellow passengers, heard witii the deepest
interest. My last visit to him was not many months before his death. Hav-
ing heard that his fiMulties had so far decayed that his friends oould no longer
have any eujoyment from interooarse with him, I had made np my mind
that I wonld not even attempt to see him ; but being told by his house-
keeper that I was in the city, he very kindly sent for me. I found him
sitting in his study, with his Greek Testament before him, which, even
then, he occapied a part of every day in reading. A portion of his autobio-
graphy also lay by his side, which, I believe, was then in the process of
being transcribed. He received me in his usual friendly manner, and
though his articulation had become indistmct, and his words were few, he
conversed intelligently upon every subject that was introduced. When we
parted, I expected to see him no more ; and did not. My eye lingered upon
him, as upon a magnificent ruin. It was not long before I heard that the
grave had taken him into its keeping.
FROM THE REV. JACOB J. JANEWAY, P. P.
Nbw BavvflwiOK, Fefaniary 16, 1860.
My dear Sir: I am every way disposed to comply with year request ibr my
recollections of my venerable friend and former colleagae in the ministry, —
the Rev. Dr. Green; but I do not know that I can meet your wishes better than
by availing myself, with some slight alterations, of certain portions of a letter
of considerable length, which I wrote at the request of the Rev. Dr. Jones, and
which appears in connection with Dr. Green's autobiography.
My acquaintance with Dr. Green commenced in 1798. From the beginning of
the year 1799, we laboured together as colleagues in the pastoral charge of the
Second Presbyterian Ohnrch in Philadelphia, more than thirteen years, — till his
pastoral relation to that church was dissolved, in consequence of his appoint-
ment to the Presidency of the OoUege of New Jersey; and from that time till
the day of his death, a friendship and intimacy that had never been interrupted,
continued to exist. What I shall write, although intended as a tribute of
friendship and affection to his memory, yet shall be, as fiur as I can make it,
strictly true and free from exaggeration.
In stature, Dr. Green was of the middle size, but portly; having features
well formed, a florid complexion, enlivened with dark, brilliant eyes; he was, in
his youth, handsome. In subsequent life, he lost his florid complexion, and
became somewhat corpulent. He still retained a commanding appearance.
The intellectual powers of Dr. Green were of a high order. The character of
his mind is impressed on his writings. His Lectures on the Shorter Oatechism,
the Sermon on the Union of Science and Religion, which he preached and pub-
lished, while President of the OoUege of New Jersey, and the Ohristian Adto-
cate, — a religious periodical which he, for a number of years, conducted with so
much ability and usefulness, will long remain as proofii that he was endowed
with a strong, vigorous and comprehensive mind.
With such commanding powers, it is natural to suppose his influence in the
different ecclesiastical bodies with which he was connected, was great. It was;
and, as an evidence of it, let me redte this anecdote. While an important measure
was under debate in the (General Assembly, the Doctor, who had been only an
observer, obtained a seat in the house by the resignation of the principal {n
the commission. He soon arose, and made a motion that gave to the discussion
a new and important turn. Dr. Speece of Virginia, who was sitting beside me.
Vol. ra. 62
490 FRESBTTEBIAV.
said to me, ** See the inflnenoe of that man— he riees and makes a motion, and
without offering a single argument, takes his seat*, and his motion is carried.''
He was characterized hy mnoh firmness and decision. On one occasion, while
Philadelphia was the seat of govemment, and Dr. Green, OhapUin, — the Senate,
heing called to order for prayer, he saw a Senator still sitting and engaged in
writing. Determined to exact at least an external reyerence for that Almighty
Being they were ahout to worship, he stood still, till the Senator, startled hy the
prolonged silence, arose upon his feet, and assumed a hecoming attitude. Ho
then proceeded to offer prayer.
When the news of the death of Qenoral Hamilton, who unhappily fell in a
duel with Aaron Burr, reached Philadelphia, it produced a great sensation among
the dtixens. A public meeting was called to do honour to his memory. Besoln-
tions were accordingly adopted, and published in the newspapers; and among
them one calling on the deigy to notice the sad occurrence in their sermons on
the coming Sabbath, with a tiew to eulogise that great man. Dr. Graen imme-
diately saw the impropriety of the resolution, and, with a riew to extricate the
clergy from the snare laid for them, and to save them from doing any thing unbe-
coming that holy religion of which they were the appointed teachers, he took
measures for assembling them in a public meeting for consultation on what was
proper to be done in the emergency. Resolutions were adopted and published,
to counteract the injurious effect that was liisely to result from the resolutions
adopted by the meeting of the oitiaens, and to set every minister free frx>m the
ensnaring influence he might have felt, in conducting the serrioes of the coming
Sabbath. Eyery minister was left to act as his conscience might dictate to be
right; to notice the death of that great man or not; and if he should choose to
notice it, to do Just as he deemed duty demanded. I recollect that I ayailed
myself- of the opportunity the sad occurrence afforded, for reprobating, in the
course of my sermon on the Sabbath, the vile and barbarous practice of duelling.
But I have no recollection that my colleague took any notice whatever of the
event in his discourse.
In the year 1800, Dr. Green travelled for his health to the Sweet Springs in
Virginia, where he remained for some time. While there, he determined to sus*
tain his character as a Christian minister. He ftlt it proper that infirm mortals,
seeking health from fountains God had been pleased to open and render medicinal,
should acknowledge his bounty and their dependance on Him for the blessing
they sought. He, therefore, resolved that it was becoming him, as a minister,
to propose, with consent of the company, to ofibr prayer to God at their public
meals. His wishes were gratified. It is remarkable that ho received considera-
ble aid in the accomplishment of his pious purpose from Miyor , a gambler.
That man would call the company to order; and knocking loudly on the table,
he would say, '' Dr. Green will ask a blessing." So accustomed had they
become to the religious ceremony, that no one would take his seat at the table
till the arrival of this man of God, or, if he were prevented by indisposition, till
it was announced he would not be present.
The intellectual powers of Dr. Green, bdng sanctified by the grace of God,
wore consecrated to the service of the Great Giver, and employed in the way for
which they were bestowed. He was not only pious, but eminently pious and
devout.
In imitation of his teacher. Dr. Witherspoon, for whom he always entertamed
a high veneration, he observed the first Monday of every month as a day of
listing, humiliation, and prayer. At what time he commenced this practice I do
not know. The fbct first came to my knowledge in 1802; when, during the
prevalence of the yellow fever in Philadelphia, we were both staying at Mr.
Ralston's country seat. Mount Peace, from which we went on the Sabbaih and
preached to that portion of our people, who were willing to assemble in the
ASHBSL GREEK. ;^l
ohuTch. He had, it is prolMblo, oommenoed the habit yean before; and I think
he continued it till the close of life.
Three times in th6 day, he retired to converse with his HeaTenly Father, hy
prayer and snpplication, thaDksgiviog and praise. His Ioto for social prayer
was manifested by his inviting his ministerial brethren to meet at his house
every Monday morning for the purpose of reading the Scriptures, offering united
prayer to Qod, and singing his praises.
His piety prompted him to acts of charity. He was ready, according to his
ability, to relieve the needy, and aid in the accomplishment of all benevolent
purposes. In the distribution of his charity, he acted not from impulse but from
principle. He settled in his mind what proportion of his income he ought to
consecrate to benevolent purposes. One tenth he deemed the proper proportion
for himself. On occasions he went beyond this rule. Warmly attached to the
Theological Seminary at Princeton, and ardently desiring its enlargement and
prosperity, he purchased and gave to the Trustees two acres of ground additional
to what they held, for that valuable institution.
Dr. Qreen was eminently qualified by his intellectual endowments, his devoted
piety, and his talent for public speaking, for preaching the Gospel of Ohrist.
And he preferred this above all other pursuits. His discourses on the Sabbath
were uniformly written. Having judiciously selected his text, he confined him-
self to the thoughts it suggested. He never allowed himself to run away firom
his text, and deliver an essay or essays that had no connection, or a very slight
one, with it. His intelligent hearers saw the thoughts he presented to be sug-
gested by the portion of the Divine Word on which he was discoursing. There
was such a close connection between the parts of his sermon, and such a unity
given to the whole, that his hearers could easily recollect what they had heard,
and treasure it up in their memories. He carefVilly wrote out what he intended
to deliver; regarding it as wrong to enter the pulpit without due preparation,
unless unexpectedly called by Divine Providence to speak; — ^when he thought a
minister was authorized to make the attempt, and rely on assistance from on
high. The discourses of Dr. Green, carefully prepared, were at once devotional,
practical and experimental. They were always adapted to the occasion, and
suited to the wants of the people.
His delivery was excellent and commanding. Favoured with a good voice, he
modulated it so as to impart force to the thoughts he uttered, and being accom-
panied with graceful and appropriate gesticulation, his discourses were rendered
at times very impressive.
On the whole, I have no hesitation in saying that, when he was in good health
and good spirits, his sermons were so well prepared, and delivered with such
eloquence, that I regarded him (my place of residence afforded opportunities for
hearing the best preachers) as the first preacher of his day in the Presbyterian
Ohurch.
In fine. Dr. Green was a great and good man,— eminently pious and useful.
His immediate successor in the Presidency of the College, the Rev. Dr. Garna-
han, justly said, when lus body had been laid in the grave, in the place of inter-
ment which holds the mortal remains of his illustrious predecessors, Dickinson,
Burr, Edwards, Davies, Finley, Witherspoon, and Smith, — " He was by his
talents fitted to fill any civil station; and by his eloquence to adorn the halls of
our National Legislature.'*
Yery respectfhily, your brother,
J. J. JANEWAT.
492 PEESBTTBSUir.
FROM THE REV. NIGHOLAS KURRAT, D.D.
EuBABKHTOWVi KtkJ 20, 1849.
Rer- and dear Sir: Yon ask me for mj reminiacences of the Rev. Dr. Qreeo,
and my yiewa as to his general character, as a minister and a literary man. And
whilst feeling that there are many who are more competent to the tksk, becaose
of their long and fiimiliar acqaaintahce with him, I hesitate not to comply with
yoor reqoest. I shall arrange my yiews of his diaracter under a few heads, and
bring in my recollections of him by way of illustrating them.
1. He was a man pre-eminently of two characters, public and priyate; and to
form a tight estimate of him he must be known in both. To those who only
knew him as a public man, he was stem, unyielding, dictatorial, and repulsiye;
to those who knew him both in public and in priyate, he was mild, pliable, and
peculiarly attractiye. Hence, by one class he was respected, but disliked ; whilst
by another he Was greatly beloyed, and regarded as an orade.
Although I had heard much of him flrom my boyhood, and read some of his
writings, I neyer saw him until 1826. And the sight of him, at that time, would
induce any young man to resoWe to keep at a respectful distance. His form was
tail and con^manding; his appearance was stem; his eye, gleaming through
shaggy eyebrows, was penetrating; his step was firm; and from bis cane to his
wig there was something which, to say. the least, was more repulsiye than
attractiye to a youth. And with this conclusion agreed many of the anecdotes
which I had heard of him, whilst he was President of Nassau Hall. My
acquaintance with him commenced in 1827, and in this wise— yisiting Philadel-
phia as the agent of one of our National Societies, I felt his approbation of my
plans necessary to my success. I called to see him. and was introduced into his
study. I soon found myself in conyerse with a courteous, kind, but dignified
Christian minister. He not only approyed my plans, but tendered his own sub-
scription to the object. Finding, on inquiry, as I was about to retire, that I was
a candidate for the ministry, he inyited me to a seat by his side, and the impres-
sions made upon my mind and heart by his kind inquiries, by his paternal adyice,
are yirid to this hour. He dismissed me with his blessings upon myself and
upon my object. Neyer was a reyolntion more entire wrought in the feelings of
a nuin. And firom that day forward he was my counsellor in cases of difficulty.
And so pleasant and simple was he in priyate, that, on learing my fitmily, after
an occasional yisit of a hw days, my little children would cling to his feet and
to his garments, crying out — ^' Tou must not go. Dr. Qreen.*' I feel quite sure
that those who only knew him in Presbyteries and Synods, and specially in the
ardent confiicts of the General Assembly, of which he was almost a standing
member, haye the most erroneous yiews of his true character.
2. His was a trathfdl character. Truth was to him trath; and what he
belieyed, he felt and acted out. It was not his policy to belieye one way and
act another. Such policy he scomed, and withheld his confidence fh>m those
who practised it A man cast in such a mould is likely to be unpopular with
that large class of persons who regard trath with less reyerence; who stretch
it or contract it to suit circumstances; who, in the bad sense of the phrase, are
ready to become " all things to all men." They are prejudiced, obstinate, big-
oted, sectarian. But there is a better and truer explanation of all this. There
is a deep and heartfelt reyerence for the trath as such, which, on all occasions
and eyery where, forbids its compromise on the ground of mere worldly ezpe-
dieney. There is an inner reyerence for it, in kind and degree, like unto that
which is felt for God himself. This was conspicuous through the whole long life
of Dr. Green. And often haye I heard him censuring with fer greater seyerity what
he considered the crooked policy of some of his friends, who always acted with
A8HBSL GBBBK. 4^3
him, than that of his opponents, who always pnrsncd a different policy from his.
His firmness was at an equal remove from fickleness and obstinacy, which are
alike alien to a troly noUe character. The one is barren of good as the yielding
wave; the other, as the unyielding rock. Although holding his opinions
strongly, he was ever willing to yidd them for good reasons. A fool never
changes his opinions, but a wise man always will, for sufficient cause.
3. He was a most fervent and instructive preacher. Although I never heard
him preach until he had passed the meridian of life, — until, fearful of attacks
of vertigo, to which he was subject, he generally detuned the pulpit;-— yet the
few sermons I have heard him deliver, very deeply impressed his hearers, and
very obviously indicated that, in the prime of his years, he was a man of no
ordinary power. His utterance was distinct; his manner wae calm and digni-
fied— ^if he never rose to the higher style ot actioii, he always attained its end, —
attention and impression. He made you feel that he entirely believed every
word he uttered, apd thai it was of infinite moment that yon should believe it
also. The minister that uniformly makes this impression, must be one of great
power.
Nor was the impression which he made simply that of manner — ^Ids matter
was always weighty, well arranged and instructive. If his topics were com-
monplace, they were always important. If his discussions were sometimes dry,
they were clear as a sunbeam. If you could not always adopt his opinions,
there was no mistake as to what he meant. In all my intercourse with him, 1
had never cause to ask, " What do you mean. Sir ?" Nor do I remember a
sentence in all his writings which is not entirely transparent.
His most valuable Lectures on the Shorter Catechism, and his published Ser-
mons, give a feir specimen of his ordinary style of preaching.- If they have not
the amplitude of Ohalmers, nor the polished eloquence of Hall, nor the warmth
of Davies, they have the purity, of Blair, in union with a natural simplicity
which strongly fixes their truly evangelical sentiments in the mind and heart.
Hence the devoted attachment both to him and his sentiments, of those who
enjoyed his ministrations.
He greatly excelled as an expounder of the Word of Qod. Of his talent in
this way I had abundant opportunity for forming a Judgment. The Sabbath
School teachers of Phibtdelphia adopted a rule to have the same Bible lesson
taught on the same Sabbath in all schools of the city, and to have the lesson
expounded to them by some clergyman. The Lecture room in Oherry Street
was the place, and Dr. Qreen was the man, selected. On each evening, the large
room was crowded by one of the most interesting and interested audiences I ever
beheld; and, although the Doctor was then approaching his threescore years and
ten, never <Ud I hear more dear, and fbll, and fresh, and pleasing expositions
of Divine truth. At the dose of the lecture, opportunity was given for the ask-
ing of any questions upon any points that were left unexplained; which were
always answered with a promptness that showed the remarkable fhlness of his
mind upon all topics connected with the exposition or the dneidation of the
Scriptures. I know not that I ever attended a more instructive religious service.
I have learned that it was greatly blessed of God to the conversion and edifi-
cation of Sabbath School teachers. He served his generation in more dignified
stations, but probably in none more usefully, than when expounding the Word
of Life to nearly a thousand young men and women, who*, on each successive
Sabbath, sought to impress those views received from him on the minds of ten
thousand children. Ifight not this plan be suecessMly revived in all our dties?
4. He was a truly devotional man. His public devotional services were always
peculiarly impressive. They were solemn, pathetic, reverential, strikingly
^vprppriate, and nerer unduly protracted. In the femily, he always commenced
morning and evening prayer by imploring a blessing upon the service, and whilst
494 FBXSBTTEBIAK.
engaged in it, all felt that he was oonyeraing with God, as a man conTenea with a
friend. I haye more than once heard him express his regrets at the little prejNi-
ration ministers often inake for conducting the devotional services of a congre-
gation; and I have heard him state that, in the early part of his ministry, he
was in the habit of writing prayers with equal regularity as sermons. And
whilst he never read them, nor committed them closely to memory, the writing of
them furnished him with topics for prayer, and gave to those topics arrangement,
and to the expression of them variety and appropriateness. For this thought
he might have been indebted to his venerated teacher, Dr. Witherspoon, who
always recommended devotional composition to his theological students, of whom
Dr. Qreen was one.
My first sermon was preached in the Third Presbyterian Church, Philadel-
phia!— then under the pastoral care of the Bev. Dr. Ely^ and from the text,
*' Compel them to come in." Dr. Ely was absent, and to my confilsion. Dr.
Green entered the church, just at the opening of the service. Feeling it better
to have him behind me than before me, I sent a request to him to sit in the pul-
pit. In my ardour to stimulate ministers and Christians to do their duty, I
omitted almost any illusion to the necessary agency of the Spirit to secure their
success. He made the-conduding prayer, in which, with his accustomed felicity,
he converted the topics discussed into supplications, and then brought out, most
prominently and emphatically, the essential truth which I had omitted. I felt
that the whole congregation realized the defect of my sermon. His kindness
was marked at the dose of the service. I went to my study, rewrote my ser-
mon, put into it the prayer of Dr. Green, and it is unnecessary to say that it
was greatly improved by the addition.
My very last interview with him impressed me with the depth of that spirit
of devotion which characterised his life. He was feeble, and forgetM, and in a
mood to talk very little to any body. Hearing that I was in the dty, he sent
for me that I might attend to a matter of business for him, connected with the
New Jersey Historical Society. 1 entered his study on a May morning, about
nine o'clock. His Greek Testament was open before him — ^he requested me to
be seated. The business ended, he waved his hand, saying — '* My devotional
reading is not yet conduded — I will be happy to see you at another time." And
as I dosed the door of his study, the prayer — " God bless you " — fell upon my
ear, — ^the last words I ever heard him utter. All testify that the closing years
of his life were marked by a spirit remarkably devotional.
6. He possessed a truly catholic spirit. This assertion perhaps will startle
some who only knew his public character, and who have only heard of him as an
impersonation of Old School Presbyterianism. Yet it is true to the letter. His
own views he hdd strongly, but in perfect charity to those who differed from
him. Although his contributions and exertions were mainly confined to the
organisations of his own Church, it was out of consistency with himself, and
not out of illiberality to others. More than once have I heard him detail an
account of a visit made him by the venerable Dr. Woods, for so many years the
ornament of the Andover Theological Seminary. They compared views on the-
ological and other subjects; and whilst they diflbred a little in the explanations
of some positions, they radically agreed. " Would to God," I have heard him
■ay, " that all our ministers and churches hdd the sentiments of my Brother
Woods." And after the disruption of our Church, he never permitted a day to
pass without the most fervent prayers to God on behalf of the brethren to whom
he was regarded as bdng so violently opposed. He had none of the narrow sec-
tarianism that would confine the Church visible to those only who walked with
him; and often have I heard him rejoice in the good that was done by Episcopa-
lians, Baptists, and Methodists ; wh^e, on all suiuble occasions, he could strongly
maintain the positions on whioh he diflbred from them. There is hot probably a
ASHBEL GBEEV. 495
Nattonal Society fbr the spread of the Gospel in this land, to whidi he wis not a
oontribator, and of which he was not a member or a manager; whilst he may
be considered the fkther of nearly all the Boards and Societies of his own deeply
yenerated Ohnreh. '' Nobody will question the Presbyterianism of Dr. Green/*
said an eloquent divine, during a debate in the General Assembly, ** as he was
dyed in the wool." "The brother mistakes," said Dr. Green, with that
promptness of repartee which he possessed — " the Lord by his grace made me a
Presbyterian." And although the principles of his Ohurch were interwoven
with his spiritual life, and formed a part of it, yet he had the most cordial love
for the cldldren of God, by whatever name called. Never have I heard him
speak with more affection of any man, than of his friend, the amiable and vene-
rated Bishop White.
6. He was remarkably gifted as a son of consolation to desponding souls.
This perhaps was mainly owing to his own simple views of Divine truth, and his
rich experience of its power. He had the ability to simplify every subject on
which he spoke or wrote, and to do it in a few words. This is very apparent in
his Lectures on the Shorter Catechism, prepared for the youth of his own oon-
gr^tion. When anxious or desponding souls applied to him for direction, he
first sought out the cause of trouble, and then, like a well instructed scribe, he so
simply presented and applied the remedial truth, as to give, if not immediate, yet
speedy, relief. He acted upon the principle that " if the truth makes us free, we
are free indeed." Hence, aged desponding Christians, and individuals asking
what they should do to be saved, and from different congregations in the city,
were often found in his study, seeking his counsels. On such occasions, there
was a kmdness and blandness in his manner, which formed the greatest con-
trast with his stem and unflinching position, when contending for principles on
the floor of the General Assembly.
A case in illustration of this I will state. Twenty-five years ago, the name
of Ifiss Linnard, whose memoir has since been published, was femiliar to the
pious female circles of Philadelphia. She shone conspicuously among them for
her fine sense, great activity, and deep piety. A minister, still living, preached
a preparatory lecture in the church in Spruce Street, of which she was a mem-
ber, on the text '' Lovest thou me? " — which cast her into the deepest gloom.
Such were the strong and vivid representations which he made as to the neces-
sary preparations for the right partaking of the Lord's Supper, that, conscious
of not possessing them, she resolved not to commune. Her sense of duty and
her deep depression of feeling came into conflict, and occasioned her the most
intense anxiety. In this state, she had recourse to Dr. Green, who had heard
the lecture." *' My dear child," said he, '' our excellent brother seemed to
forget that the Lord's table is spread, not for angels, but for sinners. He has
come net to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. It is the weary and
heavy kden He invites to Himself, and to the privileges of his house." It
was enough. She left his study rejoicing in the Lord; and a more joyful Com-
munion season she had never spent on earth. I heard the lecture; and the inci-
dent here narrated I have heard flrom both parties. And this, I feel persuaded,
is a fkir illustration of his skill and success as a comforter of the Lord's people,
and as a director of the inquiring to the Cross of Jesus Christ.
It was during his Presidency that the revival occurred which, under God,
brought into the church and into the ministry such men as Dr. John Breoken-
ridge. Dr. Hodge, Bishops Mcllvaine of Ohio, and Johns of Virginia.
It remdns for me only to speak of him as a literary man. As his life and
writings will do his memory fhU justice upon this subject, I beed say but little
in respect to it. When he graduated at Princeton, he was the Yalediotorian of
his class. He was soon made Tutor, and then Professor in his Alma Maier.
His academic habits he carried with him into his pastoral life, and always took
406 PBBSBTTERIAN.
rmnk in the rery flret cUsa of the educated men of his own age, — ^with such men
as Dwight, and Smith, ind Mason, and Wilsoii. If he was excelled in bril-
liancy by these, and others with whom he ranked, he was ftdly their equal in all
solid attainments. It was no ordinary tribute to his literary character, that he
should be selected to succeed Dr. Smith as the President of Princeton Goll^,
in which position he dischaifped his duties as instructor with distinguished ability,
and in a religious point of view especially, with distinguished usefulness. On
retiring from the Presidency, he commenced the Ohristian Adrocate, which he
edited for many years; and whose tweWe volumes give the most ample test!
mony to his rich scholarship, his keen discrimination, his metaphysical acumen,
his sharpness as a critic, and the extent and variety of his reading. Some of the
ablest productions of his pen were written after he had passed his fourscore
years; and to the very close of his life his Greek Testament was his daily study,
and ho could repeat passages from the Greek and Roman dassies with great
interest and rtgour. His habits of study he never surrendered to the last. And
I have in my possession a note which he addressed to me on business, in his
eighty-fifth year, written with as clear, bold and steady a hand, as if written in
his fortieth year. In this respect he is an example worthy of imitation by all
literary men in advanced years, to study, write, and work to the last Still
waters soon stagnate; running waters, never. The mind unemployed, like the
blade of Hudibras,
" Whidi eat into Itaelf (br lack
Of somebody to hew and hack,"
preys upon itself, and soon passes away.
Such is my estimate of the character of Dr. Green. By others who knew him
much longer, and more intimately, it might be sketched more strongly and truly;
but such are the impressions which are left upon my mind and heart fh>m an
acquaintance with him of twenty years. On the whole, I esteem him as among
the ripest scholars, the most able divines, the most useflil men, which our coun-
try has produced. His name will be more closely connected with the history
and progress of the Presbyterian Ohurch, one hundred years hence, than that
of any of his predecessors. He well deserves a name and a place among the
lights of the American Pulpit.
Yours affectionately,
K. KUBRAT.
DAVID PORTER, D. D *
1786—1861.
Dayid Pobtxb, the son of Increase and Mary (Niles) Porter, was bom
in Hebron, Ooim., Hay 27, 1761. His mother died when he was four
years old. With the ezoeption of ten months, daring which he served in
the army of the Bevolntion, he lived in his father's &mily till he was about
eighteen yeariei of age.
Having resolved on a liberal education, and gone through his preparatory
oourse, he entered Dartmouth College in 1780, and was graduated in 1784.
He devoted himself to his studies with great assiduity, and ranked high as
a soholar in every part of his collegiate oourse. Notwithstanding he had
been &« subject of serious impressions oocasionally from his childhood, it
• MS. AntoUogiapliy.— MS. tkom bli fknfly.
DAVID PQBTEB. ^M
was not till Ills seoond year in College that lie rapposed himself to expe-
rience a radical change. A powerful reyiyal of religion eominenoed in the
neighbonrhood ; and at firet he was determined that he wonld not allow it
to divert his attention in any degree from his studies ; but he foond him-
self unable to keep his resolution, aod was soon borne down with a sense
of his own sinfulness. After a few weeks, he was enabled, as he beliered,
calmly and gratefully to repose in the mercifal proyisions of the (Gospel,
and at no distaot period made a public profession of his faith in Christ, by
joining the church in HanoYcr connected with the College.
Shortly after his graduation, he went to Portsmouth, N. H., whero he
spent two years and a half in teaohiug a school, and at the same time was
prosecuting his theological studies under the Bey. (afterwards Dr.) Joseph
Buckminster of Portsmouth, and the venerable Dr. Stevens of Eittery.
After being licensed to preach, he laboured several months in Sanford, Me.^
and was invited to settle there, but declined.
In February, 1787, he accepted a call from the Congregational Church
of SpencertowQ, N. Y., and W^as ordaioed as its Pastor on the 24th of Sep-
tember following. Here he continued in the laborious discharge of his duties
fourteen years. On aocount of the inadequacy of his salary to the support of
his family, he was obliged to devote a portion of his time to teaching,— a
service for which he was admirably qualified, and in which he was emi-
nently useful. BQs ministry here was attended with an unusual blessing,
and his church was greatly enlarged, as the result of several revivals of reli-
gion. He was also peculiarly happy in his ministerial relations, having for
his neighbours such men as Doctors West, Catlin, Hyde, and Shepard, who-
were all regarded as lights in their day, and whose religious views were
nearly or entirely in accordance with his own.
In June, 1808, Hr. Porter resigned his charge at Spencertown, and in
October following, was installed Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church
in CatskiU, N. T. Both the church and the village were at that time in
their infancy, uid for several years they were obliged to use the Court
House as a place of public worship ; but, in due time, and in no small
degree through his instrumentality, a convenient church edifice was erected.
In the year 1811, he was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Diviniiy
from Williams College. ,
His connection with the Church at CatskiU continued till June, 1881,
when, having entered his seventy-first year, he requested to be released
from his pastoral charge. The request was acceded to by his church, and
the relation dissolved. His ministry here was, on the whole, a highly suc-
cessful one, and the very close of it especially was signalised by a revival
of uncommon power, as the fruit of which, not less than one hundred were
added to the church.
Dr. Porter, in resigning his pastoral charge, had no iden of retiring frooi
the labours of the ministry. His heart was strongly set on mi^y of tho>
great benevolent objects of the day, and he wished to be able to render to*
some of them a more efficient aid than he could by continuing in his pas*
toral relation. In 1824, he was chosen a corporate member of the Ameri^
can Board of Commissioners for Foreign MissioBs; and with most of the
other national institutions for the spread of the Ghwpel, he was connected,
from their organisation. Immediately alter he resigned his diaige, he
engaged in the service of some of these iDStitutiooSi — taking as his- field of
Vol. m. 63
498 PBBSBYTEBIAK^
labour the county in whioh ho liyed, an^ aeyenl counties adjacent to it, and
continued his agency till he had completed his eightieth year. He was an
uncommonly sucoessfol as well as popular agent.
For several years preyioos to his death, Dr. Porter was gradually sinking
under the infirmities of age, and the weakness of his limbs particularly ren«
dered it difficult for him to go much beyond the limits of his own dwelling.
On the 24th of September, 1848, the fifty-sixth anniversary of his ordina-
Uon, he preached his last sermon on the text, — ** Brethren, the time is
short." It was not written, but was rendered highly impressive by its
appropriate and weighty sentiments, and the solemnity and pathos with
which it was delivered. His last visit to the house of Gk>d was on .the 28th
of July, 1847, on occasion of the Funeral of his eldest son. Then, as on
similar preceding occasions, he evinced the most unqualified submission to
the Divine will.
For nearly three years immediately preceding his death, Dr. Porter was
confined to his house by reason of the infirmities of age. During this
period, he maintained great equanimity of spirit, and never lost his interest
in his friends or in passing events. He died on the 7th of January, 1851,
of paralysis, after being confined to hb bed twelve days. His reason was
continued to the last, and ho died in the utmost peace.
On die 11th of October, 1791, he was married to Sarah, daughter of the
Bev. Daniel OoUins* of Lanesborough, Mass. They had six children, all
of whom are now <1867) deceased. The venerable widow is still living.
One of his sons (WUliam Augustus) was graduated at Williams OoU^e,
and was Professor of Ehetoric and Moral Philosophy in the same institu-
tion from 1827 till hin death in 1880.
The following is a list of Dr. Porter's publications : — ^An Anniyersary
Discourse occasioned by the death of four children of Daniel Sayre, who
were consumed by fire on the night of the 28th of Jifinuary, 1808, preached
at Cairo, 1809. A Dissertation on Christian Baptism, and the subjects
therewith immediately connected, comprised in a series of sections, 1809.
A Sermon delivered at Cairo, at the ordination of the Bev. Bichard
Williams,t 1812. A Sermon preached at Lanesborough at the Ordination
of the Bev. John Dewitt to the charge of that church as Colleague Pastor
with Bev. Daniel Collins, 1812. A Sermon delivered at Bllsworth, (Sharon)
Conn., at the Ordination of the Bev. Orange Lyman to the pastoral care of
the Church and Society in that place, 1818. A Sermon at the dedication of
the Presbyterian meetmg-house in Hunter, N. T., 1828.
I had the pleasure of an acquaintance with Dr. Porter during the latter
part<ef his life. On my first introduction to him, I was much impressed by
his large corporeal dimensions, tiie intelligent and yet benevolent expresnon
of his countenance, and a certain indescribable peculiarity of manner, which
not «nly predisposed me to good humour, but often excited a smile. My
first meeting with him was at the Synod at Catskill, shortiy after he had
demitted his pastoral charge. I saw at once that he was one of the most
influential members of the body : he was not often upon his feet, but when
• Davisl 0«LLurt, wMftDfttlTa of Gaflfovd, Oobii.| WMgnidiifttadat Yato OoUm in 1760;
rtadM TheoloflT woOn the Bat. Dr. BeUamy; wti oidftined Paitor of the Ohvnh in LeiMi-
bonoi^ AprU^r, ITSi; «iid died Aiinit M, 18», aged eif^tr-ttiiee.
t BiOBABS WxLLiAvs, th* «on of Kethaniel Wittiuns, wei Dom at LebeiMn, Oodiu, Anil
V, 1780{ wsf gndoftted at Tale OoUefe la ISOSf wai mdained aod iartaUed Partor of the
Caranhat Galxo, Juraafj^, ISOSj aad^iediia ISO.
DAVID POBTER. .^gg
he did speak, Kis words were always apt and weighty, and were listened to
with the utmost deferenoe. It was not merely his yenerahle age and hu^e
experience that gave him his inflnence, hut his exemplary moderation and
sound judgment, and enlightened, discriminating and practical yiews of
whatever suhjeot presented itself. I afterwards heard him preach, though
it was apparently without much preparation, and in my Lecture room.
The discourse was sensible, characterised by great seriousness and unction,
and delivered in a manner which secured an undivided attention. Owing,
I suppose, to his bodily mfirmities, he had his cane in one hand during the
delivery of the sermon, and, at short intervals, we heard it come down upon
the floor with no small force, and, though it seemed odd, it was really a very
effective gesture. He passed several nights in my house at different times,
and I was always delighted by his cheerfulness and good nature, not less
than edified by his sensible and spiritual conversation. I remember his
detailing to me certain parts of hia history in connection with the Revolu-
tion, particularly some hair breadth escapes in Bhode Island, in which he
seemed to live over the past with the most intense interest. The impression
that he always left upon me was, that he had a comprehensive, discriminating
and well furnished mind, a tender and generous heart, and above all a spirit
of earnest and devoted piety.
FROM THE KEY. GIDEON N. JUDD, D. D.
MoHTGOMxaT, K. Y., May 8, 1861.
My dear Brother: My acquaintance with the late Dr. Porter of Oatskill, com-
menced in 1803. I then resided in my father's family in the adjacent town of
Cairo. The Presbyterian Church there was then feeble and destitute of the
stated administration of Divine ordinances. Over it the Doctor watched with
paternal and benevolent solicitude. During the summer months, after perform-
ing the usual services of the Sabbath for his own people, he frequently delivered
a third sermon in Cairo, at a late hour in the afternoon. When his own pulpit
was supplied by a brother in the ministry, he not unfrequently spent the Sabbath
in our place, and often preached there at other times, when his services were
specially needed. As my mind had previously been brought under religious
influences, I was deeply interested in both his preaching and conversation. After
my attention was turned to the ministry, in ereTj stage of my course of prepara-
tion for it, he was a most valued counsellor.
After I was graduated, and before I entered the Theological Seminary at
Princeton, I spent six months in his &mily. That was a season of more than
ordinary religions interest among his people, and I had a fkvonrable opportunity
to know his manner of addressing the understandings, the consciences, and
hearts of men, in those solemn and interesting circumstances. His conversation
and preaching evinced an intense interest in the spiritual welfare of those whom
he addressed, and a deep sense of his own responsibility. He watched for souls
as one that felt that he must give an account of his ministry. The dafans of the
law of Ood he exhibited with great clearness, and urged them with great power
upon the consciences of the impenitent. He laboured to convince them that their
moral depravity was entire, and that the only hope of their salvation was in the
sovereign mercy and grace of Qod.
His treatment of the awakened and anxious was characterised by great ten-
derness and fldelity. And he was equally faithful in his treatment of those who
indulged hope of acceptance with Qod. He presented the tests of genuine con-
version with great clearness, and urged upon them the importance of diligent
self-scruUny and eaimest prayer to Qod for unerring teachmg and guidance.
500 PBXSBTTEHIAH.
After entering tbe minifitry, I enjoyed only oeeadonal interoonne with idm^
till I was called in 1840 to take the pastoral chai^ of hia former flock. Boring
a residence of nearly ten years in Catskill, my intercoarse with hifli was frequent
and intimate, and to me deeply interesting. His modesty and hamility were
remarkable. Notwithstanding he had sustained to the people of my charge the
relation of Pastor for nearly thirty years, and had been my connsellor and inti-
mate friend, be assumed no authority. When I consulted him, as I often did,
be gare his opinion with modesty and fimnkness, and did every thing he could to
encourage and assist me in my work. On theological subjects and Ohristian
experience and practice, the general state of religion and the couTersion of
the world, he conversed with great freedom and interest. Upon these themes he
delighted to dwell. At his advanced period of life, men often look upon the pre-
sent with great dissatislkction, and the future with dark forebodings. It was not
so with him. He did not think the former days were better. In view of what
God had done, during his ministry, for the spread of the Qospel at home and
abroad, and what He has engaged to do for the extension of his Kmgdom among
men, he indulged joyous anticipations for the future.
In his domestic and social relations, Dr. Porter was eminently ^ualifled to
receive and communicate pleasure. Ardently attached to his family and friends,
and deeply imbued with the spirit of benevolence, he took great delight in
imparting happiness. His conversation, though frequently characterised by
abruptness of manner and expression, was both pleasing and instructive, and
occasionally enlivened by exhibitions of humour and wit, so controlled, however,
by discretion and Ohristian principle, that they detracted nothing from the dig-
nity either of the Ohristian or the minister.
His keen sensibility and great benevolence led him promptly to enter mto the
joys and sorrows of others. To the afflicted, espedally of his flock, he was emi-
nently a son of consolation. ' "W 1th great fidelity and tenderness he pointed them
to the only Qouroe of true consolation, and urged the duty of acquiesoenoe in the
will of God, and joy in his government. His manner of doing this was pecu-
liarly his own. Sometimes a single sententious remark or inquiry, uttered in his
significant manner, contained volumes of instruction. Two examples, as speci-
mens of his method of addressing persons in affliction, now occur to me. On
one occasion, when visiting a deeply afflicted fkmily, — after making a ftw appro-
priate remarks, he said to them with great solemnity and tenderness, — " You
bad better look up." At another time, to a young lady of his flock, whose
heart was almost crushed with anxiety for a suffering sister, he put the signifi-
cant and twice repeated inquiry — " Oan you speak well of God ? Oan you speak
weUofGod?"
Dr. Porter had an uncommonly vigorous intellect. His discernment was
quick and keen, his discrimination accurate, his judgment sound, and his reason-
ing faculty of a very high order. It was for these solid and usefhl attributes of
mind that he was distinguished, rather than for a splendid imagination, or an
exquisite taste.
His style and manner of speaking were characteristic of hie strong original
mind, and adapted to make a deep impression. He never sought to adorn his
style with flowers of rhetoric, or fitscinating imagery. He aimed to make it clear,
concise and forcible; and he succeeded. No one could hear or read his public
discourses, without being convinced of his honesty of purpose, and his strong
desire to communicate to other minds tbe thoughts and feelings which glowed in
his own. In the arrangement of the topics of his discourses, his method of dis-
cussing them, and the perspicuity and eneigy of his language, he fbmished a
model of uncommon excellence.
. In his preaching, he dwelt much upon the leading doctrines of the Gospel; but
in connection with them he exhibited, with great cUiamess and pungeiicy of appli«
DAVID PORTBB, 501
Cfttion, the Torioiu branches of experimental and practical g;odline88. In the
aeleotion of his themes for the pulpit, he seems habitually to iiave kept in Tiev
the g^reat end of preaching, — the glory of Qod in the conversion of men, and their
Buhseqaent growth in knowledge and holiness.
The soundness of his judgment and the ample stores of his theological learn-
ing led intelligent laymen and his brethren in the ministry to consult him in
cases of difficulty, and on abstruse points of doctrine to pay great deference to
his opinions. Both before and after the establishment of Theological Seminaries,
many candidates for the ministry placed tbemseWes under his instruction, whose
Christian atid ministerial character he was eminently instrumental in forming
for usefulness.
Dr. Porter was sincerely attached to the doctrines and polity of the Presby-
terian Ohurch, but was remarkably free from a sectarian spirit The division of
the Ohurch in 1838, and the causes which led to it, he deeply deplored. But
strongly as he was convinced that the Exscinding Acts of 1837, which produced
the division, were wrong, he never exhibited an unkind spirit towards their
authors or their advocates. He was persuaded that both Bodies were agreed in a
belief of all the essential doctrines of the Gospel, and that a practical demonstra-
tion of the fact would greatly subserve the interests of true religion.
Dr. Porter was indeed a man of great worth. His memory on earth is blessed,
and I am persuaded his recompense is great in Heaven.
Yerj respectiblly and sincerely yours in the bonds of friendship, and the
Gospel of our adorable Lord Jesus,
G. N. JUDD.
FBOM THE BEY. G. A. HOWABD.
Oaibxill, March 16, 1866.
Bov. and dear Sir : I am but imperfectly qualified to give you the sketch of Dr.
Porter's personal appearance and peculiarities you have requested. I did not
see this remarkable man until his mind and body were broken down by disease
and the infirmities of age. I well remember him, however, as he appeared when
I first entered his room, — a man of great bulk, seated in an arm-chair, which
was Aimished with large wheels, his fine compact head sunk upon his breast in
thought or slumber, and the soft breeze of June blowing in through the open
window, near which he sat,— lifting and slightly disarranging his thin white
hair.
When roused and made acquainted with my presence, he raised his head,
looked at me inquiringly for a moment, and then a light of welcome and pleasure
came into his eyes, and he extended his hand heavily with a cordial " How
d'do ?" His voice was deep and full. They placed a chair for me near him
And, though he said but little, and occasionally dropped his head, and sunk
into an apparent reverie, I discovered more than once, while conversing with
others, that he was listening, watching my countenance, and examining me from
head to foot. He praised his people— they were hU until he died; — and said a
ibw abrupt, kind words to me as associated with them; but entered into no con
neoted conversation.
When I rose to take leave, he requested me to pray; and, uniting in the
prayer with evident emotion, responded at the close with an audible jtmen.
He lived until the following January, and I had frequent interviews with
him. His words were always few; and at this time he conveyed his thoughts
and wishes in short ejaculations. Once or twice he spoke more at length, and
with great animation, and on one occasion with much enjoyment of his own
humour.
His sensibilities were readily exdted. He had three noble sons, and all ot
them were in the grave. Any allusion to them deeply affected him, and at
502 nUBSBTTEBIAK.
timeB, attempting to speak of thenn himeeU; he would weep and sob in a mannir
which showed that time had done but little to mitigate his grief.
Bjb people were strongly attached to him, and to his aged, afflicted and
amiable wife, who was a model of the Ohristian gentlewoman. They lored to
visit him; nor they only— persons of sereral denominations frequently met in
his room. He spoke bat little, yet receiTed great pleasnre from their respectM
and affectionate attentions. He was fond of children; and when, erery Sab-
bath afternoon, his grandchildren, as they were returning fit>m church, came in
to see him, it was pleasant to witness his enjoyment of their presence and
Most of the time he sat by the window I hare mentioned. He was unable to
stand for a moment. His ankles were too weak to sppport his immense weight.
He was wheeled into another room to his meals; and, occasionally, in pleasant
weather, was drawn out upon the stoop of the front door, which commanded a
fine Tiew of the mountains. When he became more acquainted with me, he
often spoke of his great sinftilness, — saying — " I'm a miracle of grace. Sir; — a
miracle of grace." When I rose to leave him, he would usually fix his eyes
upon me with a peculiar expression, for a moment, and then exclaim, with a
decisiye inclination of the head, — " Pray."
He declined Tory gradually; and died at last so peaceftdly that his wife who
was holding his hand, only discoTered his departure, by the cessation of his
breath, which, in her blindness, her quick car instantly detected.
Dr. Mordodc of the Reformed Dutch Church was engaged in prayer at the
time by his side; and at the same moment I was kneeling by one who had been
his pupil, and finend, and elder, and who entered Heayen the same hour.
On the day of their Funeral, the stores of the yiUage were closed. The church
in which Dr. Porter formerly preached was crowded to excess; and many who
came from a distance were unable to obtain an entrance. The esteem in which
he had been held was no great, that the years of his incapacity and retirement
had left him more than is possessed by most men, in the Ailness of their
strength.
Tou will see by what I haye thus far written, how imperfectly I knew this
reyered and peculiar man.
In conyersing with others, — ^I haye frequently asked, ** how did he look, and
act, and speak, and what was the secret of bis power ?" But I cannot fully
answer these questions. Those who knew him well, inyariably smile, sometimes
quietly laugh, when his name is mentioned, and say, — ** 1 cannot describe him.
He was the most peculiar man I eyer knew. Nobody was like him in the least.
You cannot put him into words. He was the oddest man you eyer saw. A
thousand infinitesimal peculiarities marked the expressions of his countenance,
the inflexions of his yoice, his gestures, and eyery thing about him." Then they
will speak of his oyerflowing kindness, lus generosity, his originality, his pure,
ardent piety. And again, a smile wiU come upon their fkces, and then there
will follow some anecdote of hta peculiarities, or his shrewdness.
He unquestionably exerted a yery powerful formatiye influence upon the inhabi-
tants of Oatskill, and of the surrounding country. To this day Us opinions are
quoted as authority. His instructions are held as unquestionable truths.
His Theology was Hopkinsian. His mind was logical and clear; his opinions
decided; his will indomitable. He well understood the springs of human action,
and possessed a remarkable quickness and tact in touching and controlling them.
But with these traits he combined the simplicity and sincerity of a child. His
heart was unusually gentle, and kind, and affectionate. And if you add to these
eharacteristics, quiet assured reliance upon his own judgment, and the ability to
exercise thi power of ailenu, (which he frequently employed with no little
eiffect,) you will haye as correct an idea of his mental peculiarities as I can
gather from conyersations with those who knew him.
DAYID POBTER. gQ^
Wlien be walked abroad, his personal appearance must have arrested tbe eye
of every stranger. His head was like Napoleon's; his neck was short; his bodj
large and fleshy; his legs were nnnsually small, — tightly encased in short clothes,
and beneath these, in black silk hose. He carried a large cane; and his motions
were quick, nerrons and awkward.
When he stood in the pnlpit and became interested in his sermon, his short,
dense sentences, jerked out with a nod; his strange and violent gestures, and his
stamping foot, called a smile upon the faces of all who were not accustomed to
them. Even clergymen, sitting with him in the pulpit, were sometimes unable to
control their countenances. But he was wholly unconscious of these effects, —
he was absorbed in his subject, and soon gained entire control of his hearers.
In the lecture room, his manner was still more remarkable. He frequently
spoke with his cane in hand, and brought it down with his emphatic foot, bend-
ing his whole body to give force to the gesture. He would walk to and fro, and
becoming more excited as he spoke, he would sofnetimes descend to the floor of
the room; step over a bench to arrive at an open space; walk up and down there
for a while; step over another bench opposite to the former, and return to the
desk on the fitrther side; continuing and closing his address, without exhibiting
the slightest consciousness of what he was doing with his peripatetic body.
When ho called upon any one to pray, he would sometimes add in a tone more
of command than request, — " Be Short V* His own exercises were very brief;;
but they were very comprehensive and instructive. He wasted no words. His
thoughts were new, fresh, and expressed in striking language. When speaking,
he used periods, if I may speak so, between the clauses of his sentences, or as
though he employed hyphens for commas; — and thus, though otherwise his
utterance was rapid, every word that he delivered told upon the listener.
Notwithstanding his eccentricities, he was regarded with unbounded reverence
No one dictated to him— no one remonstrated with him. He took counsel with
himself, and, with some deference to forms, carried through that on which h»
had determined, without opposition. The children all regarded him as a supe-
rior being. One remembers, — and tells it with a smile at her former self, — how
she thought his person and dress' the standard of ministerial appearance, looking
with low esteem and some suspicion upon small and thin men, who wore loose
pantaloons. Another always associated him with the highest mountain in the
Oatskill range. Another had very confused and interchangeable ideas of Dr.
Porter and the Saviour. Another, for a year or two, thought he was God.
When he met them and stopped, as was his custom, and took their hands
between his thumb and the tips of his flngers, and said in his kind absent-minded
way, " How d*do child,'' it awed them, and was an event to be remembered.
This reverence continued as they grew older, and began to understand his
sermons, and a good degree of it remained as long as he lived. At one
time, he catechised the children occasionally on Saturday afternoon. But he
never got much beyond the first page, they say; and he had a pleasant habit of
answering the questions himself, when there was the slightest hesitation, and
saying " Very well, child, very well.**
A few anecdotes chosen firom the many which are told of him, may serve
further to illustrate his eccentricities.
He never could be induced to converse, or to express an opinion upon any sub-
ject, when he thought Silence the better course. With a dull, uninterested look
he would seem unconscious of the speaker's words, and though his eye rested
upon him, almost of his presence. When the questioner ceased, there would
follow a dead pause. " I)on*t you think so. Doctor ?" No answer— no con-
sciousness. Then, waking suddenly tnm his apparent abstraction, he would
speak of something wholly remote firom the subject of the inquiry, or oonveyin|^
a subtle reproof for meddling with it.
504 PRESBYTERIAN.
In these times of appsient reverie^ be heard and weighed every word that wis
uttered; and not unfreqnentij quoted a remark against his bsMed qnestioner,
who thought at the time he uttered it« the Dootor, in his fit of abstraction^ had
not heard a single word.
In later years^ he was singularly absent-minded. He was accustomed to
pray with his eyes wide open. Oneeyening, at a *' neighbourhood meeting/'
his prayer was drawing to a oondnsion, when he saw before him a young Udy to
whom be was greatly attached, and who had returned that day from a long
absence. Suddenly, to the astonishment of all present, he crossed the room, and
extended his hand, exclaiming with a voice of hearty pleasure — ** O I how d^doV*
He was totally unconscious of the irregularity, and no thought of it subsequently
embarrassed him.
On another occasion, somewhat later in life, he was praying in the presence of
several clergymen, and a large audience, at a union prayer meeting for Oolleges.
Always interested in the religious weLbre of students, he had been excited by
the statements which had just been made. He was pleading fervently for the
spirit of prayer in our chuiches, and enforcing his petition with ''arguments,"
when, suddenly changing from prayer to exhortation, he exclaimed to the stand-
ing assembly, bringing down hand and foot to enforce his words, — *^ Yes, brethren,
we must fray more ! That's what we want. More prayer ! more prayer !" —
and after adding a few more sentences, he turned to the clergyman who had been
speaking, and said, " Qo on Sir ! go on."
To illustrate his *' management;" — ^he had much of. the harmless wisdom so
useful to one who has to deal with men.
He never gave a direct reproof; but at times he suggested one that was not
easily forgotten. A young man who had recently become a professor of religion,
was standing one Sabbath with his companions near the chiirdi. The conversa^
tion became trifling, and he was laughing heartily at something which had been
said, when the Doctor, who stood at a little distance with a clergyman who was
to .preach for him, called to the young man and beckoned him to approach.
When he came near, ho introduced him to the stranger, mentioning his name in
full, and saying in a marked and serious manner — " a mmhtr qf the OAifrdk,
5ir, a member rf the Ckwrch !" The youth, in later years, became an elder, and
he told me that the influence of that rebuke had not left him for an hour since it
was given. ^
When the Doctor was threescore years and ten, he determined to resign his
charge. Its duties oppressed him. He spoke of it; but no one moved in the
matter. They did not want to part with him. " It would hardly seem Sunday "
to go to church and hear another man preach. At last, one Sabbath, he
requested the congregation to remain after the benediction. The service being
closed, he descended from the pulpit, and standing behind the Oommunion table
with his hands upon a chair, looked round until all was expectation. His head
sunk upon his chest for a moment. Then he raised his eyes, and exclaimed in a
firm, earnest voice, " Thxm Thixgs ! — I must have a colleague — ^I must resign —
or I must die !" — and sat down.
The discussion which followed the Doctor's laconic address led to no action at
that time. Subsequently it was agreed that he should put the question of his
resignation to vote. He wished it, for the sake of his successor, to be decided
without apparent reluctance, and without a dissenting voice. This he secured in
the following manner. He contrived that the call to the Rev. T. M. Smith, and,
after its acceptance, the arrangements for his installation, should be made with-
out any reference to the fact that he was still Pastor of the Church. At the
installation he was appointed to deliver the Charge to the People.
His Address, ardent and iaXl of affection, and gratitude, and rejoicing, was
calculated to draw out the hearts of his people toward himself; and near the
DAVID POBTEB. 595
cioBe> after an animated referenoe to the revival then in progress, he suddenly
paused. The honse in the hash of expectation was per^tly still. Then, in an
abrnpt bat sabdaed manner, he broke the silence by saying — *' But, — brethren !
before dosing my remarks, I have one request to make. Yoa may think I might
have made it before. Bat for reasons in my own mind, I preforred to reserve it
for this place. It is the last request I shall make as your Pastor. It is, a
request of mutual good will, for your sake not less than my own. It is not that
I love you the less, but the more, that I make this request. It is but fitting that
I do it. I am confident you will meet my views, which the Presbytery will
ratify. The vote I ask you to pass is, that I he dinnieaed, etrictly 90, frwn my
pastoral charge of this Church and Omgregation. In this vote I hope there will
be but one voice — I am persuaded there will not. The assembly are all seated;
and I now put the question. Those of the Church and Congregation in fovour
of granting the request, will signify it by keeping their seats — ^they of the con-
trary mind will manifest it by rising.'' Before they had time to recover from
their surprise, he added — '*The Clerk will be so good as to record the vote as
unanimous /"
After resigning the pastorate, he became the agent of several Benevolent Societies,
and collected great sums for them in this village, and in the adjacent country.
He approached each man in a difierent way. He would sometimes name a
specific sum; saying, *' Mr. X. it is a good cause, Sir; a good cause, but you
must'nt give too much; — ^fifty dollars is enough. Sir.'' Mr. X. would probably
have decided upon ten.
He was told of one man, a wealthy farmer, who had said he was " determined
to give him nothing that year any way." Shortly before harvest, the Doctor
made it convenient to stop at his house. He soon interested him in the opera-
tions of the Society for which he was then collecting; but nothing was said about
a subscription. He remained to dinner. Before the repast was over, the man's
mind was fiUed with the noblest missionary views. To spread the glad tidings
of salvation was made to appear the great work and joy ot the Christian's life.
After dinner, they walked out upon the piazza. " Whose farm is that Sir ?" —
said the Doctor, extending his hand with a wide gesture towards a large tract,
crowded with ripening grain. " That is mine." " Tours ?— a large form —
beautiful farm !" After a pause, during which the Doctor was looking round
with sincere admiration upon the scene of tilth and beauty, he exclaimed,
" whose farm is that, way over by those woods. Sir ?" '* That is mine too."
''Fine meadows — ^very large farm — ^very valuable farm." ''Who owns the
woods ?" " They belong to me, Sir." " Umph !" Changing his position so as
to command another view, he said, after a while, '^ your neighbour has a heavy
crop there; very rich land; whose is that, Sir ?" " Well," the man answered,
growing a little restless, " my form goes about as for as you can see. Doctor, —
that's all mine." " All yours !" Then, turning upon him with a serious,
almost reproachfol, look, he said, — " Qod has done a great deal for you; what are
you going to do for Him ? A pause ensued which seemed to repeat the question,
and demand an answer. I do not know the reply; but as a result of the
interview, the Doctor carried away the former's subscription for a larger amount
than ever. He was irresistible. Those who knew his way, When he b^gan to
draw out of them the proofo of their prosperity, often cut short his approaches
by saying with a smile of surrender, — " How much shall I give. Doctor ?"
The following anecdote, which I received fW>m the lips of the person to whom
it refers, is very characteristic. He had sdd some valuable books to a young
clergyman of another denomination, in the village. Some months had slipped by,
and payment had been delayed. The Doctor was sitting on his ' stoop ' one
bright morning, when his debtor passed, politely saluting him. " Toung man !"—
cried the Doctor. He turned and came back to the gate, as the Doctor rose
Vol. ni 64
506 FRESBYTBBIAH.
from hU ehftir. ** Those 600^.'' Then with a gesture of senous conrtesj, he
•dded^ — " Pay for them when yon please. Sir; pay for them when yon please !"
And, without waiting for an answer, tnmed, and went into the house. They
were paid for the next day.
When speaking of personal piety, he always, to the end of his life, dwelt upon
his great sinftilness. ''It is an ocean without a shore,*' he would say. " My
transgressions are like mountains piled upon mountains." " I hope to he saved,
1^,*' he onoe said to Br. Dickinson, — *'hut I'm an awfhl sinner. Sir,— an awAil
sinner. If I am seen in Heayen, Sir, it will astonish the uniTene !'' And this
he said with such sincerity and earnestness, that, for a moment, his visitor was
confused and unahle to reply.
A hw months hefore his death, an elder of his church called to see him, and,
in the course of the conrersation, remarked, — " Ah well. Doctor, when we go to
Heayen we shall leaye aU these sorrows behind us.'' The old man sat up, and
looked at him with apparent wonder— he scanned him onoe or twice from head to
foot, and then exclaimed with an emphasis on eyery word, — '^ Do yon expect to
get to Heayen ?" Then shaking his head, and withdrawing his gase, he added,
" It's a great thing to say. Sir ;— a great thing to say."
He was greatly loyed. ''Theiiearoldman !"— said one who had been speaking
of his kindness and generosity. " He was one of the best men in the world,"
say many. I am often caused to regret that I did not share with my predeces-
sors the pleasure of knowing him in his vigour and activity. I could then have
replied to your request with a fbller and more accurate account of this singular,
influential and venerated man.
With affectionate esteem,
6. A. HOWARD.
DEUBT LACT *
1787—1816.
D&u&Y Laoy, the son of William and Elisabeth (Bioe) Laoy, vras bom
in Ghesterfield County, Ya., Ootober 6, 1768. His fiither was a planter m
eomfortable oiroumstaaoes, but was distinguished more for his hospitality
than his carefulness in either the management of his estate or the education
of his children. The son was about ten years old when the father died ;
and for a year or two previous to this event, he had attended the school of
the Bev. Hr. HcCrea, an Episcopal clergyman in the Gounty of Powhatan.
From the age of ten to sixteen, he lived with his mother, who was left, at
the death of her husband, in very straitened circumstances, and found it
extremely difficult to provide for her small family. Wlien he was about
fourteen or fifteen years old, (one authority says ten,) he met with a sad
casualty, which, however, had a very propitious bearing upon his subse-
quent Ufe. At a County muster of the militia, a man in the ranks had
loaded a gun so deeply that he feared it would burst, if it were discharged ;
and in a most cowardly spirit, asked some one of the boys standing by. to
discharge it, without intimating that there was any danger. Tonng Laoy
stepped forward, took the gun and fired it — ^the barrel burst, and his left
• MBS. ftwB B«y. B. T. Ln^, and Bev. Br. Arabilwld Alezudflr. TooU't Sketohei of
Ya., lit Serial.
DBUBT LACY. 507
hand was friglitfally mangled, and torn off. In after life, his wrist waa
protected by a sUyer onp which was fitted over it, and into the end of which
a fork and other instruments prepared for the purpose were screwed ; and
thus the loss of the hand was, in some degree, supplied. From this cir-
cumstance, when, in after life, he became an instructer of youth, in connec-
tion with Hampden Sidney Oollege, he received the nick-name of *< Old
Silyer Fist ;" and it also gave him the designation among hb ministerial
brethren, of " Lacy with the silver hand and the silver voice."
His mother, who was an eminently pious woman, died when he was about
sixteen years old ; and, being now cast upon^is own resources, he engaged,
with that slender stock of information which might have been expected from
his hitherto very limited advantages, in teaching a school. It was, how-
ever, a school of the humblest claira, and the compensation was barely suffi-
cient to procure for him the plainest clothing. At the age of about eighteen,
when he would have served in the war of the Bevolution but for the loss of
his hand, he procured another and more eligible situation as a teacher, in
Cumberland Oounty, in the family of Daniel Allen, an elder in the Pres-
byterian Church, which was at that time supplied by the Bev. John Blair
Smith, President of Hampden Sidney College. Here he became acquainted
with Mr. Smith, attended his ministry, and ere long joined the church of
which he had the charge. While engaged in this school, he acquired, by
his own efforts, a very good knowledge of Geography, English Grammar,
Algebra, Geometry, and Surveying. He subsequently taught in the fiunily
of Colonel John Nash, of Prince Edward Oounty, where he enjoyed the
instruction of President Smith, one or two hours each week. With this
slight assistance, he acquired such a knowledge of the Latin and Greek lan-
guages, that, at the age of about twenty-three, the office of Tutor in Hamp-
den Sidney College was offered him. He accepted it, but still pursued Us
own studies priyately. From the time that he commenced his religious life,
he had cherished the purpose of devoting himself to the ministry ; and, in
due time, in connection with his other duties, he began his theological stud-
ies under President Smith, and prosecuted them until he was ready to
receive license to preach. He was received under the care of the Hanover
Presbytery with a view to being licensed, in April, 1787, and was actually
licensed in September following, when he was not far from twenty-nine
years of age. He was ordained by the same Presbytery that licensed him,
in October, 1788.
In July, 1788, Mr. Smith informed the Trustees of the College that he
found the united duties of President and Pastor quite too laborious, and asked
to be excused from the former. The Board acceded to his request, but
desired him still to continue his relation to the College, and appointed Mr.
Lacy Vice President, devolving upon him a large part of the labour and
responsibility which had previously fallen to the lot of Mr. Smith. The
next year, Mr. Smith resigned the Presidency altogether, and then the
whole supervision of the institution came upon Mr. Lacy. There was
a concurrence of circumstances to render his situation one of great diffi-
culty, as well as of great responsibility. He, however, continued his con-
nection with the College till the year 1796, when he tendered his resigna-
tion, and retired to a farm which he had purchased in the imme^te
neighbourhood, and to which he gave the name of Mount Ararat.
508 PHSSBYTEBIAK.
On the 25tli of Deoember, 1789, Mr. Laoy wm married to Anne, daughter
of William Smith, of Montrose, Powhatan County, — a lady eminently
fitted, by her fine intellectual and moral qualities, to minister to both his
happiness and usefulness. They had six children, — ^three sons and three
daughters. Two of the sons are Presbyterian clergymen, the third a
physician.
After Mr. Smith left Yir^nia, Mr. Lacy succeeded him, not only as act-
ing President of the Gollege, but as one of the ministers of the churches
with which he had been connected ; though he seems never to have been
regularly installed in the pastoral office. After he removed to his &rm, he
opened a small classical school, which he continued during the rest of his
life. Among his pupils were many who have since become eminent men.
Mr. Lacy was often a delegate from the Hanover Presbytery to the Oen-
eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Ohurch, and in the year 1809, was Mod-
erator of that Body. Hq iJso served as Clerk of the Presbytery, during a
large part of his ministerial life. His handwritbg was not only beauUfnl
but exquisitely so; insomuch that the volume of Presbyterial Minutes
which he has left, is valued not merely as a Kecord but as a curiosity.
In the year 1816, Mr. Lacy was afflicted with a serious complaint, (the
calculus,) which led him to make a journey to Philadelphia, to avail him-
self of the skill of some of the distbguished surgeons of that city. He
accepted an invitation to stop at the house of his btimate friend, Robert
Balaton ; and there he fimshed his earthly course. The surgical operation
was performed with entire success ; but, dfter a few days, his strengtii began
perceptibly to fail, and he quickly sunk into the arms of death. His wife^
whom he left at home in her usual health, was seised with a violent fever,
and died within a few days after his departure ; but, though the tidings of
her death had reached Philadelphia previous to his own death, it was thought
unsafe that they should be commnnicatM to him, and he was left to learn
the fact first by meeting her beyond the vail. He addressed a letter to her
in the immediate prospect of the operation he was to undergo, expressing a
doubt whether they should ever meet again on earth, but the letter did not
reach its destination, until the eye for which it was designed was closed in
death. Mr. Lacy died in the exercise of the most serene trust in the
mercy of God through Jesus Christ, on the 6th of December, 1815. His
remains repose in the burying ground belonging to the Second Presbyte-
rian Church in Philadelphia.
Mr. Lacy published a Sermon on the death of the Bev. Henry Patillo of
North Carolina, 1801 ; and also a pamphlet of considerable sise, containing
an account of the great revival in Kentucky, and the strange appearances
connected with it.
The following notice of Mr. Laoy*s character as a preacher, has been
kindly furnished me by his eldest son, the Bev. William S. Lacy, of
Arkansas: —
** He left but few manuscript sermons, and those not entirely finished,
and far inferior to his ordinary pulpit performances, having been written in
the earlier years of his ministry. Piuring the last fifteen years of his life,
the period of his greatest ministerial success, he rarely, if ever, wrote his
sermons, and but seldom prepared even short notes for the pulpit, ffia
preparation was ahnost exclusively mental and spiritual. He thought
intensely upon his Bul]ject, and arranged the matter careftilly in his mind,
DRURY LAOT. 509
and tben trostod to tbe oooasion to Bnggest the appropriate language. I
have often, when a youth, been greatly impressed with the deep abstraotion
and awfal solemnity depicted in his conntenanoe, while engaged ^n medita^
tion, as he was walking in his chamber or in the yard. And when, from
these scenes of meditation and prayer, be went into the pnlpit, there was
freqiiently in his preaching a solemnity and pathos, a freshness and yigonr,
a penetrating, burning, meltbg eloquence, which I have never known sur-
passed. At the same time, candour compels me to say that not nnfre«
quently there was a dryness, hardness, and confusion, in his preaching, with
an utterance, hurried and painfully loud, which brought him, for the time,
aa far below the average of respectable preachers, as he usually rose above
it. He was at times subject to deep mental depression ; and then he was
frequently unable to make any preparation for the pulpit ; and the conse-
quence was that his preaching was attended with pain and grief almost
insupportable to himself, and with disappointment to his hearers. But, for
the most part, he enjoyed the light of his Father's countenance in a remark-
able degree. His style was formed yery much upon the model of the sacred
writers, and his discourses were enriched with large and pertinent quota-
tions from the Word of God. In reading a chapter from the Bible in the
presence of his congregation, his eye seldom glanced at the page, but was
fixed on the congregation, as if he were speaking extemporaneously. The
same was true of him, while reading or rather reciting the psalm or hymn.
His utterance was rendered doubly effective by the expression of his beam-
ing and flexible countenance, and the power of hb flashing and melting
eye."
FROM MRS. DR. JOHN H. RICE.
NsiJt HAXFDBir SinirsT Goiubob, 7
Pbihob Edward Couinr, June 7, 1849. >
Dear Sir: I knew Mr. Lacy well from my very early years. He was a near
ndghbour of my father, and he often walked to our house for exercise, and to
enjoy a conversation with my good mother, and I may say, a play with the
children. By taking part in our little sports, he made us all love him, and by
the good instruction which he took care to communicate, he made us respect and
revere him. He contrived so to secure our confidence that we did not hesitate
to impart to him any secret; and he would advise us in so gentle a way, that we
were scarcely sensible that he was advising us at all. His grand aim evidently
was to bring us to the Sariour. Often would he tell me how he longed to see my
fitoe glowing with an expression of loYe to God, and how dangerous it is to enter
a world like this without being a true Christian. And after I became thought-
ful on the subject of religion, nothing could exceed the interest which he mani-
fested that my serious impressions might not pass away.
His person was very large and imposing, and his countenance, when lighted
up, was most expressive and delightful. I can in no way bring him more plainly
before me, than by thinking of him as he was listening with delight to Dr. Alex-
ander's eloquence, and casting his deep blue eye over the congregation, with the
tears streaming down his cheeks, to notice the effect which it produced. His
own preaching was simple and natural, and sometimes very eloquent. His
prayers, especially in his latter years, were peculiarly fervent; and he seemed,
like Abraham, the friend of Qod, most reverently and devoutly speaking, as if
fkce to face, to his Heavenly father. He was uncommonly sucoessfiil as a
preacher to the coloured people; and his addresses to them at the Lord's tahle
were most simple and impressive, and often highly pathetic. In his private inter
510 PBESBTTEBIAK.
oonrae he w»8 oheerfbl and aocuible, but nerer lost sight of what was doe from
him, and due to him, as a Christian minister. A good old ladj remarked that
he exceeded any one she ever saw at a Saqrament, and at a Wedding. When
inqnired of if he thought it was sinful to dance, he would saj, — " Be warmly
engaged in religion, and then jou may dance as much as you please." My recol-
lections of him, both in the pulpit and out of it, are most grateful and affec-
tionate.
To supply in some measure the deficiency of my own account of Mr. Lacy, I
take the liberty to add the following graphic account of him from the pen of his
intimate friend, Dr. Alexander: —
" About the time that Mr. Lacy entered the ministry, commenced that remark-
able reyiral of reUgion, which extended more or less through eyery part of Vir^
ginia, where Presbyterian Congregations existed. And although Dr. J. B.
Smith was the principal instrument of that work, yet the labours of Mr. Lacy
were, in no small degree, successful. His preaching was calculated to produce
deep and solemn impressions. His voice was one of extraordinary power. Its
sound has been heard at more than a mile's distance. His Yoice was not only
loud, but clear and distinct: in the largest assemblies conyened in the woods,
he could slways be heard with ease at the extremity of the congregation. On
this account, Mr. Lacy was always one of the prominent preachers at great metl-
ing8,. His preaching also was with animation. His address to his hearers,
whether saints or sinners, was warm and affectionate. Indeed, according to his
method of preaching, liyely feeling in the speaker was an essential thing to
render it either agreeable or impressiye. Mr. Lacy was therefore a much more
eloquent and impressive preacher on special occasions, when every drcumstanoe
combined to wind up the mind to a high tone of excitement, than in his common
and every day discourses, — ^in which he was always evangelical, but sometimes
flit and uninteresting. Upon the whole, it may serve to characterise his preach-
ing, to say that it was better suited to the multitude, than to the select few who
possess great refinement of taste; better adapted to satisfy and feed the plain
and sincere Christian, than to ftirnish a feast for men of highly cultivated intel-
lect: He enjoyed the unspeakable pleasure of knowing a considerable number
of humble, exemplary Christians, who ascribed their first impressions to his
preaching or conversation; ibr he excelled in the art of conversing on the subject
of experimental religion. To inquirers and young converts he addressed Mm-
self in private in a very happy manner; which was to them often the means of
important spiritual benefits. And on general subjects he conversed in an agree-
able and instructive manner."
With great regard, sincerely yours,
Aims S. BIOE.
BBSNBZEB FITOH. flj
EBENEZER PITCH, D,D*
1787—1888.
Ebinxzxb Fitoh was a desoendant, in the fourth generation, from the
Bev. James Fitoh, who came to this country in his youth, and was minis-
ter, snooessiTely, at Saybrook and Norwich, Conn. Ho was the second
ohUd of Jabes and Lydia (Huntington) Fitch, and was bom in Norwich,
September 26, 1766. His early years were passed in Canterbury, where
he was fitted for College by the Rev. James Cogswell, who had married his
&ther*s sister. He entered Yale College in 1778, and was graduated in
1777. In the spring of his Senior year, College was temporarily broken
up, in consequence of the turmoil and peril growing out of the Revolution-
ary war: the several classes were accompanied by their respective Tutors
to different towns in Connecticut, that they might still continue to prose-
cute their studies ; and that to which young Fitch belonged, passed the
summer in Wethersfield under the instruction of Mr. (afterwards President)
Dwight. This class, at the usual time for Commencement, returned to New
Haven, met the government of College, and, without much formality,
received their diplomas. During the whole of his college life, he was dis-
tinguished for good deportment, and for diligence and success in the various
branches of study.
After receiving the honours of College, he spent about two years at New
Haven, as a resident graduate. While on a visit to Canterbury, during
thb period, he was enrolled and drafted as a soldier to join the army. He
resisted the requisition, on the ground that, as a resident graduate, he
was still a member of Ciollege, and therefore exempt from military duty ;
and, though it was claimed that he could not then be considered a member
of Ciollege, President Stiles, to whom the question was referred, returned
an answer in his favour. On leaving New Haven, he spent nearly a year
iu teaching a select school in Hanover, N. J. In a letter dated January 4,
1780, he writes thus: '*I am about five miles East of Morristown, and
eight from the enemy. Week before last, I vbited the camp^ and had the
pleasure of seeing many old and some dear friends. I found the Log
House Ci^ on the declivity of a high hill, three miles south of Morristown.
There the Connecticut line dweUs in tabernacles, like Israel of old. And
there the troops of the other States lie, some at a greater and some at a
less distance, among the hills, in similar habitations."
In the autumn of 1780, Mr. Fitch was appointed a Tutor in Yale Col-
lege. He accepted the office, and continued in it till 1788, when he formed
a mercantile connection with Henry Daggett of New Haven. In conse-
quence of this arrangement, he went to England the following winter, and
made an extensive purchase of goods ; but it proved a disastrous specula-
tion, and subjected him to pecuniary embarrassment, from which he did not
recover for many years. In 1786, he was again elected to the Tutorship,
and conUnued to hold the office, in connection with that of Librarian, till 1791.
It would seem, from a journal kept by him in his earlier years, that he
was the subject of serious impressions from his childhood, and that he him-
bj Ber. OalTia Dnrfte.— Pni. 8tilei» and B«t. Dr. JamMOoffnreU'f MST. dailii.
512 PR£a3TTEBIAN.
self believed that he became the sabjeot of a renewiDg inflaenoe, previoiis
to hiB admission to College. He, however, delayed maklDg a publie pro-
fession of religion antil May, 1787, during the second period of his Tntor-
ship, when, as appears from the uopablished diary of President Stiles, he
joined the College Church. He must, however, have previously been
engaged in preparation for the ministry, for, before the close of the same
month, he was licensed to preach the Gk>spel by the Association of New
Haven West, at Oxford.
In October, 1790, Mr. Fitch was elected Preceptor of the Academy in
Williamstown, Mass., — f^ new institution which, it was understood, was des-
tmed ultimately to become a College. After considerable hesitation, he
accepted the office, and entered upon its duties in October, 1791. The
school consisted of two parts, — ^a grammar school, and an English free
school; and, under the direction of Mr. Fitch, it soon became extensively
and deservedly popular. In June, 1798, it was incorporated by the Qen-
eral Court of Massachusetts, as a College. In August of the same year,
Mr. Fitch was elected President ; and in October following, Williams Col-
lege was regularly organised by the admission of three small classes.
In May, 1792, he was married to Mrs. Mary Cogswell, the widow of his
cousin and classmate, Samuel Cogswell, who had been accidentally i^hot
dead, while on a gunning party, in Lansingburg, N. Y. She was a highly
intelUgent and excellent lady, and well adorned the station to which this
marriage introduced her. They had eleven children, ten of whom were
sons. The oldest, a youth of great promise, died just after he had been
admitted a member of College, and on the night preceding the Commence-
ment of 1807. "The President,*' says the Rev. Dr. Bobbins who was
present on the occasion, " though deeply afflicted, appeared remarkably well.
He performed the official duties of Commencement with great correctness
and propriety. The Funeral of his son was attended the next day ; and
most of the students remained to sympathise with their deeply afflicted
President and his family. When the corpse was deposited in the grave,
the bereaved father, in a calm and eollected tone, remarked, — ^ I do not
deposit in this grave silver or gold, but my first-bom, the beginning of my
strength.' "
The first Commencement of Williams College was held on the firs^ Wed-
nesday of September, 1796. On the 17th of June previous. President
Fitch was ordained to the work of the mioistry, with special reference to
his connection with the College, by the Berkshire Association, — the Sermon
on the occasion being preached by the Rev. Ephraim Judson, of Sheffield.
In 1800, President Fitch received the honorary degree of Doctor of
Divinity from Harvard College.
Dr. Fitch devoted himself to the welfare of the College with great fidel-
ity, and no inconsiderable success, — as an evidence of which, at one period
of his Presidency, there were enrolled upon the annual catalogue about
one hundred and forty students ; and the average of the twenty-one classes,
whicb were graduated under him, was about twenty-two. Dtiring this
period, an unusually healthful moral influence, for the most part, j^ervadc^
the College, and, in several instances, religion became, with a large portion
of the students, a matter of paramount concern. It was here especially,
that Mills, and Hall, and the Richardses, and others, received that plentiM
baptism of the missionary spirit, which marked an qpoch in the hintory of
EBERSZBB FIfOH. 513
the Amerioan Olraroh. Bui ilie time ni lengih eanUe, when Dr. Fitoh thooglit
thfti the intereste of the College, as well as his own personal oomfort, wonld
be promoted by his resigning his office ; and, aocozdingly, he did resign it
in May, 1816. In consideration of the acknowledged inadequate compen-
sation, which, for several years, they had been able to render for his services,
the Trustees, on his vacating the office, voted him the sum of twenty-two
hundred dollars ; an act alike honourable to their sense of justice, and
grateful to his own feelings.
In the succeeding autumn. Dr. Fitch was bstalled Pastor of the Presby-
terian Church in West Bloomfield, N. Y.; and, though he had now nearly
reached the age of sixty, and was beginning to feel the infirmitieB incident to
advanced life, he addiessed himself to the duties of a Pastor with great
interest, punctuality, and seal. And his labours were crowned with many
tokens of the Divine favour. In his Farewell Sermon, preached November
25, 1827, he stated that there had been two seasons especially, when the
Spirit had descended upon the congregation like rain, and that, duriug the
whole period of his ministry there, there had been added to the church a
hundred and ninety persons, — a hundred and forty-five of who^i had been
received on a profession of their faith.
After he resigned his charge, he continued to preach occasionally till
almost the close of his life. In the summer of 1828, when he was in hb
seyenty-second year, he, in company with his wife, made his last visit to
New England, — ^to the scene of his childhood and youth, as well as man-
hood ; and this visit was ever afterwards a subject of some of his most
grateful recollections. Until within a few months of his death, his health,
considering his advanced age, was quite comfortable J and he continued to
move about with some degree of freedom, and to enjoy the society of his
friends. He was subject, however, to occasional attacks of asthina, from
which he experienced no inconsiderable suffering. His mind seemed uni-
formly in a peaceful state, and was evidently occupied chiefly on those invi-
sible realities in which he expected soon to mingle. He died March 21,
1888, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. His Funeral Sermon was
preached by the Bev. Julius Steele.* His widow died at Cleveland, 0., in
the &mily of one of her daughters, November 21, 1884.
. Dr. Fitch published a Baccalaureate Discourse in 1799.
FBOM THE BEY. OHESTEB DEWET, D. D.
RooHMm, April 18, 1862:
Dear Sir : I became acquainted with Dr. Fitch on my admission to the Fresh-
man Class in Williams College, in 1802. The acquaintance was of course very
slight, (as it was my purpose, by good conduct, to escape any parHcuiar atten-
tions from the Faculty, and espedally from the President,) till I commenced the
Senior year. Dr. Fitch was the sole instmcter of the Senior class. When,
afterwards, in the Tutorship, I lived in his ikmily, and as Professor in the Col-
lege I was associated with him, and in the habit of daily intercourse, tUl he-
resigned his oi&ce and left the College, in 1815.
Dr. Fitch was a man of fine personal appearance, of rather court^3r manners:
and dignified carriage, of the most cordial and benevolent feelings, of the purest
• JvLivi BmLi WM gndBftted at Ttle Oonege In 1811; wm ordaiBed Mktfeiftan^PlMtor
of tlM0biii«hlnXMiBloo]iiaeld,K.T.,]CaTClklS,1816| wm dilmlMd«» tke-iM oT Jm*
ii«7, 1829, and died In 1849.
Vor.. ITI. 66
51*4 FBBSBTTBBIAH.
mortis and Uie most exempburj religioiiB ehancter. He wu a Ohristiaii gen-
tleman of the Puritanic form of New Bngland.
His powers of mind were not the strongest or the most brilliant, but thejr
were solid, inyestigating, and highly respectable. Graduated at Tale Oollege,
and for many years a prominent Tutor there, he was well yersed in the Imot
guages, in philosophy, and in the general literature of that period. . And his
acquaintance with distinguished persons, on both sides of the Atlantic, added
much to lus influence, and gaye interest to his intercourse with young men. He
came to the Presidency of the Oollege under decidedly fiiYOurable auspices.
As an instructer, he had, at that time, a high reputation. Well acquainted
with the branches which he taught, and possessing a ftind of racy anecdote, he
was able to giye much point and interest to the recitations.
Though he possessed an excellent temper, and was singularly deyoted to the
improyement of his pupils, he was not altogether equable in his management of
young men, and perhaps was not always directed by the most discriminating
knowledge of human nature, especially as it exists in collegians. There some-
times occurred a sudden exhibition of the terror of authority, which finally
disappeared in the language used, or was modified by after consideration. In
the management of the Oollege, this was undoubtedly a serious eyil.
There were a yariety of reasons, external and internal, which I need not
attempt to state — which led Dr. Fitch ultimately to resign his office as Presi-
dent. The Trustees, in accepting his resignation, rendered a cordial testimony
to the purity of his intentions, and to the fidelity and seal with which he had
laboured to sustain the Oollege, and adyance its prosperity.
Dr. Fitch was ekninently a good man. I neyer came into collision witl^ him,
though I may not always haye approyed his course or his reasonings. I cher-
ished a hearty and affectionate regard for him while ha liyed, and hU memory
abides deep and dear in my heart.
With high regard,
Your obedient seryant,
0. DEWEY.
FBOM THE HON. DANIEL D. BABKABD,
mxisna noM ram uirmn sbitm xo raxnsuu
Albaxt, April 9, I860. '
My dear Sir: I am afraid my recollections of Dr. Fitch are hardly of a char-
acter to be of much use to you, though, since you request it, I will giye them to
yon with sincere pleasure.
When I entered Williams Oollege, Dr. Fitch was no longer President of that
institution. He was still, howeyer, a resident of Williamstown, and I was a
frequent yisitor at his house. In subsequent years, and in another part of the
country, he was a fkmiliar yisitor in my father's fiunily, where I occasionally
met him. I knew him well enough to haye recetyed a strong impression of his
manners and charactei^— an impression which I still yiridly retain.
Dr. Fitch was a well-bred gentleman of the old school — ^not of the most
formal dass, yet with formality enough to giye a certain air of dignity to his
manners and oonyersation. In person, as I now recollect him, he was perhaps
rather below than aboye the middle stature, but he was yery erect, and his cai^
riage quite commanding. His step was firm, and he moyed like a man who had
a fixed purpose in life, and had the resolution to pursue it. His motions were
not quick, but composed- and steady — they were prompt and ready, but there
was nothing disturbed or hurried about them. He had something of the air of
a man of business, but of one whose business was of a settled and stable char-
acter, perfectly comprehended and ftally appreciated in regard to its high impor-
BBSNEZSB FITQH. 5^5
tanooy and the length «nd breadth of its great duties. It was the air of one who
had studied his position and his powers, and who was reasonably conscioos of a
certain degree of strength and capability. But whateyer there was of apparent
confidence in himself, was fkr enough remoyed ih>m every thing like arrogance
and presumption. I suppose there hare been few men who have cherished a
more habitual or abiding sen6e of dependanoe on a Higher Power. If there was
any one thing which marked his demeanour more strongly than another, it was
humility. He was eminently a meek man. But he was not of an alject spirit —
he did not, because conscious of infirmities, think it necessary to set about
degrading himself in his own estimation. Bemg single minded, and ihlly pur-
posed to use hia powers, his position and his calling, as became a scholar, a gen-
tleman, a Ohristian, and a minister of the Gospel, he yery justly respected him^
self, and as justly felt himself entitled to the respect and confidence of others.
Something of all this was easily read in his deportment and manner.
Dr. Fitch bore commonly a grave countenance, as if the business of life, and
hfe itself, were serious matters; yet his aspect was habitually hopeful and dieer-
ful; not unfirequently it was glad and joyous. His face wore a peculiarly bene-
yolent and kind expression, and though this was deepened into sadness on par-
ticular occasions, yet it was never clouded with gloom. Neither his temper nor
his religion was one of gloom.
His conversation was usually sedate and earnest, but it was often seasoned
with anecdote and pleasantry. He had an agreeable voice, the tones of which,
in serious discourse, were solemn and impressive. He spoke with fluency,
though not with rapid utterance; and his language was remarkable for its cor-
rectness, simplicity, and elegance. I should say he was a correct and good
scholar, without being a profound one. His range of study and acquirement
had been quite large. His learning was for eveiry day use, and he threw
enough of it into his conversation to make him both an agreeable and instructive
companion.
He was, I believe, commonly regarded as a sensible and correct thinker, of con-
siderable intellectual vigour, but he was not looked upon as a man of genius or
of much originality. He had a well balanced mind, and his faculties had been
so cultivated as to preservB the balance of his powers, and thus fit him for emi-
nent service in the practical duties of the elevated sphere of life to which Provi^
dence had assigned him. I am sure that the quality which he cultivated more
assiduously than any other, was goodness. His aim was to be puretin heart,
and to lead a life void of offence towards God and towards men. His religious
fiiith was probably held with as little doubt or wavering, as that of any enlight-
ened Ohristian that ever lived. A thorough theologian, and master of all pointff
of difficulty and difference among sects, as well as between Ohristianity and Infi-
delity,—still his own feith was held with all the simplicity of a little child. It
was a hearty, trusting feith, which seemed incapable of being disturbed, and
over which no shade of doubt seemed ever to pass. He believed, and he seemed
to have no unbelief. And his ikith was of that sort that it appeared to be a
natural and necessary thing that he should be constantly growing in goodness*,
and in the daily beauty of a godly life. It is seldom, I think, espedally in a
person of such mark, tiliat the genuine simplicity and humility of the Ota'stian
character is so well illustrated as in his case.
I do not know that 1 can add any thing to these very imperfect reooUeotioi^
and impressions; and it is more than I dare hope, that what I have tfma briefly
sketched, will be found of any considerable value or interest.
I am, my dear Sir, with great respect and regard.
Very sincerely 'youtSi
D.p.BA^ftl^lBD..,
516 FBBSBTTBBIAH.
JAMES MUIR, D. D .♦
1788—1820.
Jamss Muie wu ft Bon of the Rev. Dr. Gkorge Mid Tibbie (Ward-
law) Muir, and was bom on the 12th of April, 1757, in Onmnook, Soot-
land, — the plaoe in whioh his father exeroised his ministry. Both his father
and his grandfather were highly respeotable ministers of the Chnroh of
Scotland. Oonoeming his early years little can now be gathered ; but from
the manner in whioh the ohildren of the Scottish clergy in those days were
generally educated, it Is &ir to presume that there was no lack of parental
care and vigilance in regard to his early intellectnal or moral training.
Early in life, (the precise period is not known,) and under the preaching
of his excellent &ther, his mind became deeply impressed with the import-
ance of eternal things ; and to use his own language a few days before his
death, he ** found no peace till he had fled for refuge to the ark of the ever-
lasting covenant." His thoughts, which had previously been directed to the
profession of the Law, were now fixed upon the Christian ministry.
After the usual course of classical and philosophical studies in the Uni-
venuty of 01a«gow, at which he graduated in March, 1776, he prosecuted
the study of Theology at Edinburgh, but subsequently went to London,
and is supposed to have completed his theological studies under the direc-
tion of his cousb, the Bev. Dr. Henry Hunter,t auUior of the ** Sacred
Biography.'* Here he was licensed to preach the Gt>spel on the 12th of May,
1779, by six clergymen, of whom Dr. Hunter was one, who style themselves
« Dissenting Ministers in the City of London and neighbourhood, and con-
forming to die doctrine and practice of the Church of Scotland."
After lus licensure, he was for some time engaged in teaching a school in
London, and preaching as an assistant to Dr. Hunter. On the 10th of
August, 1781, the same Presbytery that had licensed him, ordained him as
an evangelist at the Scots Church in London, with reference to his accept-
ance of a call firom a company chiefly of Sootch Presbyterians, in the Island
of Bermuda, whither he was going for the benefit of his health.
He resided at Bermuda, as the Principal of an Academy, and as the
acting Pastor of a Church, for nearly eight years. During this period,
he was married (February 29, 1788) to Elisabeth Wellman, ^ho was a
native of the Island, and connected with one of its most respectable fiuni-
lies. While on a transient visit to his friend and lus father's friend, the
Bey. Dr. Witherspoon, then President of Princeton Collie, he connected
himself with the Presbytery of New Brunswick, sometime between the meet-
ings of Synod in 1786 and 1786.
He had made hb arrangements to return from Bermuda to his native
country, and had actually embarked for the purpose ; but the Tessel in
which he had taken passage was driven back in distress, and he wasinduoed to
change his direction for the United States. After hb arrival in New Tork
in 1788, he preached, for several months, about the same time with the
• M8S. trim hit dMightcn and Rev. Dr. HarriMn.
t Then is a.tndiUoB in the ftmily iliAt lie praMhed for aomo time {n Lady Glenorehie*!
diMMl, VattrhMber thii wm the ehapel whieh ah« eeteblUhed In Bdlnlmifh, or another ebepel
la London, haa not ben aaoertalned.
JAKBS inTIB. 5j[.7
Bey. Jedediah Mone, (afterwards Dr. Morse of OhalrleBtowny Haas.,) as a
candidate in the Collegiate Ohnroh of which the late Dr. Kodgers was then
Pastor. But as diyision was likely to ensue in oonseqaence of the peculiar
attachment of a portion of the congregation to each of the candidates, they
both, from a regard to the harmony of the church, withdrew; and Mr.
Muir, in the spring of 1789, accepted a call to the Presbyterian Ohnrch in
Alexandria, where he continued during the residue of his ministry and of
his life.
In 1791, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him, at the
suggestion of Dr. Witherspoon, by the Corporation of Yale College.
About three years before his death, his health being considerably impaired,
he made a visit of a lew days to the Island of Bermuda, and, bebg there
on the Sabbath, accepted an invitation to preach in the church whore he
had formerly ministered. He preached from the text, — ** Our fathers,
where are they ?" — a discourse which excited an unusual interest, and was
commented upon in a very laudatory manner by the public papers of the
Island. On his return, he remarked to a friend that it was wonderful how
he could ever have been contented to remain on such a little patch of earth
for seven years, when it seemed to him that there was scarcely room suffi-
cient for ordinary exercise, without coming in contact with the ocean.
In March, 1818, the Bev. (now Dr.) Elias Harrison, after having served
as an assistant to Dr. Muir for more than a year, was installed as co-pastor.
The Doctor's health, after his return from Bermuda, was generally good
until the spring of Uie year 1820. The last sermon he preached was on
the lasjb Sabbath of May in that year, while his colleague was at the Oenersl
Assembly in Philadelphia. About that time, the disease of which he died,
which proyed to be an ossification of the muscles of the stomach, began to
develop itself. H'ls physician, Dr. Dangerfield, supposing that the oountry
air might be of service to him, had him remoYed to his own dwelling on the
Maryland side of the Potomac, and, for more than six weeks, ministered to
him with unceasing care, and all the appliances which medical skill could
suggest, but without any favourable effect. As it was manifest that his lift
was wasting away, he was conveyed back, in a state of great feebleness, to
the spacious dwelling of Jonathan Swift, one of his oongregation, situated
•in the suburbs of the town, and there, after lingering some two or three
weeks, with many of his beloved fiock daily about him, he died in perfect
peace on the 8th of August, 1820. Two days after, he was buried m the
church, just beneath the pulpit he had occupied for more than thirty-one
years. By his own request, he was dressed in his gown and bands, and his
grave was thirteen feet deep.
Mrs. Muir survived her husband about ten years. They had had seven
children ; but, at the time of his death, only four were living, — one son and
three daughters. The son, Samud^ was, for some years, a post surgeon in
the United States army, stationed on the South-western frontier. He had,
however, resigned his commission, and, having married a daughter of one
of the Chiefs of the Sacs or Fox tribe of Indians, was, for several years,
regarded as one of the greatest men of the nation. About three yean
before his death, he had settled in an extensive medical practice at Oidena,
111.; and, during, the Black Hawk war, when the cholera broke out in our
army under General Scott, with such terrible violence, he boldly went out, a
volunteer, to endeavour to stay its ravages. But, after saving the lives of
^18 FBKSBnBRUK.
nujjuy in the army, h» was attiuoked b j UieJiflease^ humtft Md in Iweoty-
foor hoxas was nombered among ito viotiia8» He. wa^ ediMaled at Edin-
burgh, waa a highly acoompliahed man, and a skilfbl physician.
Dr. Mnir is the author of several books, all of which are highly creditable
to his talents and piety. In 1706, he published a small volume entitled
** An Examination of the principles contained in the Age of Beason: In
Ten Discoorses." In 1812, he published another volume, containing Ten
Sermons, several of which were preached on special occasions, and each one
having an Appendix, illustrative at once of the subject of the sermon, and
of the character of the author. He published yet another, containing seven
Sermons, which he preached while he was Pastor at Bermuda — ^also a Sermon
at the ordination of the Bev. T. B. Balch, and it is believed some other
Occasional Sermons, not even the titles of which can now be recovered.
In the autumn of 1816, immediately after my graduation at Yale OoUege,
I went to reside as a private tutor in the neighbourhood of Alexandria, and
had the privilege of an early introduction to Dr. Muir and his &mily, and
of frequent intercourse with them, durbg a period of about eight months —
indeed I first made a public profession rf religion in hb church, and com-
menced the study of Theology under his direction. He was a short, thick-
set man, rather heavy in his movements, of a grave but most kindly
expression of countenance, and as gentle and guileless as any human being
I ever met. There was an air of loveliness and simplicity about him that
led me at first, — ^young and inexperienced as I was, — to underrate some-
what his talents and acquirements ; but, as I became acquainted with him,
I found myself in contact with an exceedingly well balanced, well disciplined,
and well furnished mind. His appearance in the pulpit was certainly far
from being gracefiiL He always wore ihe gown ; but that served rather to
make the disproportion betifeen his breadth and his height the more notice-
able,— though, to my eye at least, it gave additional solemnity and impres-
siveness to his manner. I can see him at this moment standing in that
venerable old pulpit, holding up his little black Bible before him with both
hands, and reading sometimes nearly half a chapter at a time by-way of
illustrating hb subject, and in an accent so intensely Scotch that it seemed
to my unpractised ear not only strange but ludicrous. But his sermons
were always full of vigorous and condensed thought, and m point of style
were very much of the Addisonian school. Though he had high ideas of
Christian consistency and clerical propriety, he was always cheerful, and
never averse to telling or hearing a humorous anecdote. Hiif kindness
towards me was scarcely less than paternal ; and when I parted with him
in June, 1816, to return to the North, he gave me letters to several of his
friends in the cities through which I was to pass, that procured for me some
of the most valued acquaintances of my life. I corresponded with him till
near the time of his death, and I cannot imagine a more perfect representa-
tion of his mind and heart than his letters furnished.
FBOM THE BEV. ELIAS HABRISOK, D.D.
AuxAVDBiA, Jannaiy 10, 1849.
Bev. and dear Sir: You ask for my impressions of the character of our ven
erahle friend, and my former colleague in the ministry, the Bev. Dr. Mnir. I
can truly say that my recollections of him are such as it gives me sincere pleasure
JAKBS XUIB. 51^9
to record; and I am gbd to co-operate with yoa in an effort to honoor and per-
petuate his name and memory.
There was a pecoliaritj in Dr. Mnir's preaching, in respect to hoth matter and
manner, which it is not easy, hy any single phrase or term, to characterise. A
member of the United States Senate, after haying listened to one of his sermons,
remarked that he was "a short man, of short sermons, of short sentences."
This was strictly true. His discourses rarely exceeded thirty-flye minutes in
length, and the sentences of which they were composed were unusually short, as
may be seen in the published sermons which he has left behind him. He always
spoke with a small Bible open and lying on the large one before him on the desk;
and when he had occasion to refer to any part of it, (and his quotations were yery
frequent and long,) it was his uniform practice to taJLe it up and read, eyen when
his people generally belieyed, and some of them knew, that there was not the
least occasion for it; — for few men probably oyer committed more of the
Bible to memory than he did. He carried it with him, both in the original and
the translation, whereyer he went, and rarely, if eyer, fiuled to analyze, with
critical accuracy, at least two chapters, each day. Indeed such was his &mili-
arity with the Scriptures in the original languages, that he could quote the
Hebrew and the Greek, almost as readily as he could the English. He always
preached without notes. Until the last three years of his life, he wrote his dis-
courses with great care, and with equal care committed them to memory. But
he neyer could preach, as he has himself assured me, unless he had his manu-
script in his pocket; and, on one occasion, haying found, after he had commenced
the seryioe, that he had neglected to bring it with him, he was under the neces-
sity of going back to his study to get it. Tet he could speak with as much ease
and correctness without as with writing; and few, if any, could eyer tell by his
manner of deliyery whether he was speaking memoriter or extempore. Owing to
a pretty strong Scotch accent, and a slight defect in his utterance, he could not
be called a popular preacher; and yet his sermons were rich in Diyine truth,
and were characterized by condensed thought, logical arrangement, and great
simplicity and perspicuity of style.
Dr. Muir was a severe student. He could not tolerate the idea of addressing
immortal souls on the most momentous of all concerns, without haying prepared
himself for it by careful study as well as earnest prayer; and few things would
put down a ministering brother in his estimation more than to be told that his
discourses were either ahnoot or altogether unpremeditated. I rarely eyer saw
him more out of temper than he was with a young licentiate, who, burning with
what he regarded as holy zeal, remarked that it seemed to him a waste of time
to study and write sermons. The Doctor could not be called an actiye man,
though he was always regular in yisiting his people, and ministering to the sick
and afflicted; and when he made an engagement either to preach or perform any
other duty, it was neyer his own feult if it was not ftdfilled.
But for nothing was he more distinguished than an exemplary Ohristian life.
I liyed in his femily, and was in dose intunacy with him, for more than three
years; and, during the whole of that time, was neyer able to detect a word, an
action, or even a feeling, which I would dare to pronounce decidedly wrong.
And yet, during that period, his church was rent with factions, many of his
congregation inflamed with bitterness and wrath, and in the issue, about half of
the number separated and constituted a new church. Against all these untoward
influences, he struggled hard and prayed much; and the result was that he sus-
tained himself throughout with the utmost Ohristian forbearance and good will.
He was often called, in reference to his large share of gentleness and meekness,
in connection with his smallness of stature, — "the little Moses."
Dr. Muir enjoyed, in a high degree, the good opinion and affectionate regards
of his brethren in the ministry, and great weight was giyen to his counsels in the
520 PBBSBTTEBIAK.
Judieatorns of the Church. The whole oommuziity in which he liTed, rermiioed
him for the purity of his life, and the memory of his exalted Tirtnea ia still dear
to many, though he has long since passed away.
I will dose this oommonication by referring to his death scene, which, finr
sublimity and impressiyeness, has rarely, if ever, had a parallel, within my obser-
Tation. A few hours before his departure, he called his whole fkmily around
him, — his wiib and three daughters, (his son was absent,) and laying his hand
on the head of each, and in order, according to age, beginning with his wife, he
gate to each a most solemn and affecting word of exhortation, corresponding, it
seemed to me, to each one's particular disposition; and then, like the Patriarch
of old, commending them to his own covenant-keeping God, gaye them his part-
ing blessing, amid the tears and sobs of many of his beloTed flock. After a few
moments' rest, he called me also, and laying his hand upon my head, and inyo-
king the blessing of the great Head of the Church upon my person and ministry,
gaye me one of the kindest, most affecting, and most impressive chai|;es, to whidi
I ever listened. He had always manifested towards me a strong affection, and
the last energies of his life were given to this closing effort. It will never be for-
gotten; for though I cannot recall the precise language, — ^the spirit, the look, the
impression, are scarcely less vivid at this hour, than they were the hour alter the
solemn spectacle had passed before me.
Ever firaternally yours,
ELIAS HABRISOK.
FROM THE REV. JAMES LAURIE, D. D.
WASHuroTOir, May 1, 1860.
My dear Sir: Your request for my recollections of our excellent and lamented
friend, Dr. Muir, I have been prevented ft*om complying with till now, partly by
domestic affliction, parti}* by ill health, and partly by other causes which it is
not necessary to mention. But I assure you that no part of the reason has been
that I have been indifferent to the subject of jour request, — for I can truly say
that I have been associated with few men in the course of my life, whose
memory I cherish with more reverence and affection than that of Dr. Muir. I
became acquainted with him first, forty-seven years ago, on my arrival in this
country from Scotland, — a number of years after his setUement in Alexandria;
and, as I became almost immediately after a permanent resident of this city,
distant from Alexandria but a few miles, my opportunities of intercourse with
him were frequent during the remainder of his life. Our intimacy was probably
greater from the feet that we were natives of the same country, and had, on
that account, many common interests and associations.
Dr. Muir was one of those men in respect to whose characters there is likely
to be very little difference of opinion. He was constituted with such perfect sim-
plicity and ingenuousness of temper, that it would have been impossible for him,
by any effort, to practise the least dissimulation. Every one who was brought
in contact with him, felt that he was exactly what he appeared to be; his state-
ments were all taken without any abatement on the score of designed exaggera-
tion; though his unsuspecting disposition might sometimes perhaps have
rendered him liable to the charge of credulity. It is not nnlikely that Mrs.
Hunter, the wife of the celebrated Dr. Henry Hunter of London, a relative of
his, had this trait of his character in view, when she told him, as he was coming
to this country, not to believe a word tiiat he heard, and not more than half of
what he saw. I do not mean to impute to htm any extraordinary weakness in
this particular, and yet it must be acknowledged that, in what commonly passes
fer worldly shrewdness and sagacity, he was not much distinguished. He was
so consdous of the purity of his own motives, was so entirely ** an Israelite
JAMES KUIB. 521
indeed in whom there wu no gmie/' thai he would neyer impute evil motiTes
when oharity coold possiUj find oat those of a different character. So nni-
formlj gentle and henignant was hb spirit, that I remember hut a single
instance in which he was betrayed into what would be considered as saypuring in
any degree of severity, and that was a remark addressed immediately to an
individual, who, he had reason to believe, had, under the guise of fHendship,
acted a disbgenuous and treacherous part towards him.
Dr* Muir retained too much of the Scottish accent to have any great popularity
in this country as a preacher; and yet his sermons were always rich in evangeli-
cal truth, and written in a chaste, easy, perspicuous style. There was one pecu-
liarity in his mode of preparing his discourses, which deserves to be mentioned.
He used, at the commencement, to scatter all along over his paper key words, or
words which were to begin paragraphs; and so thoroughly had he studied his
subject, that he had never any difficulty in filling up his paper, making these
several words subserve his original design.
In his theological and ecclesiastical predilections he was thoroughly a Presby-
terian, both from education and conviction, and yet he was as fiur as possible
from an intolerant spirit, and mingled freely and cordially with Christians of
different communions. So amiable and generous a spirit as he possessed, sancti-
fied withal by deep and consistent piety, could not but render him an object of
attraction in every circle. In his family, he was a model of all the domestic
virtues; among the people of his charge, he was the warm hearted and devoted
Pastor; and in socioty at large, he was not only a well wisher to, but a diligent
promoter of, all the great interests of human life. When I say that he had no
enemies, I have stated only half the truth; no one could be brought in contact
with him, especially in the sense of enjoying &miliar intercourse, without regard-
ing him with respect and veneration; and the deep and general lamentation
which was witnessed at his death, was a sufficient testimony that the whole
community in which he lived regarded him as among the excellent of the earth.
He had long been familiar with death before he was called to encounter it. It
was a subject on which his thoughts were greatly prone to dwell, and though, in
his latter years, the grave yard was a mile or more from his dwelling, he was
accustomed frequently to resort thither, and yield himself to devout " medita-
tions among the tombs." When his own turn to die came, his spirit was so
disciplined to meet the event, that he could rejoice in the prospect of his depar-
ture, knowing in whom he had believed; but the phy^cal agony attending the
approach of death was well nigh overwhelming. A day or two previous to his
departure, he sent for me to come and see him; but so extreme was his weakness,
and so severe his bodily sufferings, that I found him incapable of holding much
conversation. I remember he exclaimed — *' Is this death ?" — and then added,
with reference to the torturing pains which he was enduring — " it is terrible;" but
there was nothing to indicate that his spirit was not reposing with perfect con-
fidence in the merits and promises of his Redeemer. Those who stood by his
bedside, when the pulsations of life finally ceased, could not fbel a doubt that
Heaven was, at that moment^ opening to receive a glorified spirit.
In calling up these reminiscences of my friend long smce departed, I am glad
if I have contributed to your object, as I am sure it has led me into a field in
which it has been most gratefhl to me to linger. If my recollections are less
extensive than you had expected, you will perhaps find a satis&ctory reason for
it in the fitct that they are the recollections of a man whom age has brought
near to the borders of the grave.
Yours truly and affectipnately,
JAMES LAUBIE.
522 FBBBBYTSllUK.
JOSEPH PATTERSON *
1788—1882.
JosspH Pattbbson, ft son of Bobert and Jane PattenM>n, was bom in
the North of Ireland, Maroh 20, 1762. Hia fkther, thongh a lad at the time,
waa at the famons seige of Derrj ; and the anfferinga to whioh the familj
were anbjeoted in consequenee of it have not often had a parallel. This
branch of the Patterson family emigrated from Scotland to Ireland, in con-
sequence of the terrible persecutions that were carried on by Glaverhoose
under Charles II. ; and the father of Joseph Patterson waa the son of John,
in whom the family commenced in Ireland.
The parents of the subject of this sketch originally belonged to the Scot-
tish Church, but joined Uie Secession under the Erskines, sometime before
the middle of the eighteenth century. They were eminently pious persons,
but were exceedingly strict in their religious views, and had little sympathy
eyen with any other branch of the Presbyterian Church than their own.
They came to thb country with several of their younger children in 1774,
and settled near Milestown, about seven miles North of Philadelphia, where
Mr. Patterson died, aged a little more than seventy, about 1778. His wife
survived him not fiir from three years.
Of Joseph Patterson's earliest years little is known beyond the fact that,
when he was a mere child, he became deeply concerned in respect to his
Mlvation, and joined with some other children in a private prayer meeting
which was held under a thorn hedge. On the 27th of February, 1772, he
was married to Jane Hoak, he being less than twenty years of age, and she,
less than eighteen. His elder brother had already migrated to this country ;
and not long after his marriage he formed the purpose of following him;
in the expectation also that, at no distant period, he should be joined by
other members of the funily. Accordingly, he and his wife arrived at Philip
delphia early in 1778 ; and, after stopping for a short time in Pennsylvania,
they settled in Saratoga County, N. Y. In consequence, however, of the
arrival of hb parents the next year, he waa induced to return to Penn-
sylvania, and waa occupied fbr a year or two in teaching a school near
Oermantown. When the Revolutionary war commenced, he showed him-
self a vigorous patriot ; he listened with enthusiasm to the first public
reading of the Declaration of Independence, and immediately gave up his
school and enlisted aa a common soldier.* But, though he entered the army,
he did not leave his religion behind, — as is evident from the following inci-
dent. As he was engaged in his devotions one day in a rough abed, where
the troops were quartered, the rifle of a neighbouring soldier was accident-
ally diadiarged, and shivered a board just in the line of his person. As he
was remarbible for noticing providences, this must have left a strong
impression upon his inind.
He retired from the army in 1777, and removed Westward to the CouQty
of York ; and, having remained there two years, proceeded still farther
West, — ^to the County of Washington. The region in whioh he now settled
waa k wildemeas ; and though he, in connection with a few other pious per-
• Baooid of tlM Fftttenon Ftmilj.
josras'FATiraBSON. 523
BonB wbo aooompanied Urn, haaUi a rude ohmoh in ihe woods, yet they were
in oonstant jeopardy from the sorroonding Indians, eVen while they were
engaged in worshipping in it.
In the antnmn of 1786, the Presbytery of Redstone advised Mr. Patter-
son to direot his attention to the ministry, and to qualify himself for it with-
out unnecessary delay. Agreeably to this adyioe, he engaged, with several
others, in a course of preparatory study under the direction of the Rev.
Joseph Smith ; but, as Mr. Smith did not live in his immediate neighbour-
hood, he was obliged, in order to avail himself of his instruction, to become
temporarily an exile from his own family.
Mr. Patterson continued his preparatory studies about three years. He
was licensed to preach the Gospel in August, 1788 ; and in April following
accepted a call to the charge of the united churches of Raccoon and Mon-
tour's Run, in Washington County, — the former being eighteen miles from
Pittsburg. He served both these, churches for ten or twelve years, when,
each havmg become able to sustain a minister, he resigned the care of the
latter.
Like other ministers of that day, he made frequent missionary tours,
during which his labours were most abundant. In the year 1802, he spent
several months among the Shawnee Indians, and kept a journal during the
time, that ia replete with interesting and surprising incidents, and stril^gly
illustrates the deep spirituality and glowing seal of the missionary.
Mr. Patterson, on the 4th of February, 1808, was called to a great
domestic affliction in the death of his wife. She seems to have been an
eminently devout and godly person ; and the death that she died was wor-
thy to close the life that she had lived. In giving an account of her death
in a letter to a friend, four years after it occurred, he writes as follows : —
" On the Sabbath following, I preached on Job xiv. 14. Views of the glory
she was advanced to, and hopes of being soon in it, dulled the edge of sor-
row, so that I scarcely felt its sharp cutting. I think it was near two years
before my affliction on account of my bereavement came to its height."
On the 9th of May, 1812, Mr. Patterson was married to Rebecca Leech
of Abington, Pa., who was a person every way suited to render him happy.
She survived him.
In the autumn of 1816, Mr. Patterson being in his sixty-fifth year, and
withal considerably oppressed with bodily infirmities, resigned the charge
which he had held for more than twenty-seven years. He now removed
his residence to the city of Pittsburg, where he continued during the
remainder of his life. But, though he had no stated charge, his seal and
activity in promoting the cause of Christ were unabated. He occupied him-
self as a sort of city missionary, distributing Bibles and tracts, ministering
to the wants of the afflicted and destitute, and especially rendering counsel
and aid to the poor emigrants, who were found thronging to the Western
country from every part of the world.
In May, 1829, just after his recovery from a somewhat protracted illness,
a false step on the pavement gave a wrench to one of his ancles, which occa-
sioned him another season of confinement to his chamber of at least two
months. On the 80th of January, 1882, at the close of a series of religious
meetings in the church where he was accustomed to worship, he gave a
solemn exhortation, which proved to be his last public act. Four days later,
he took the final sitting for his portrait; and after the work was done, he
524 PBBSBTTSBIAH.
toned to the artbt, who was of infidel sentimentB, and urged liim with gr^
solemnity to ** apply to the Holy Spirit to draw the Dirine image npon hia
heart." On the OToning of the same day, he requested his wife to road the
108d Psalm; and when she had done so, he remarked, — **I have been
trying all my life to eome up to the tone and spirit of thafc Psalm ; and at
length I believe I oan." He then knelt down and offered a fervent prayer ;
bni was so weak, at the close, that he oonld not resume his seat without
assistance. On the 4th of February, about one o'clock in the morning, he
awoke unwell, and he very soon became sensible that the time of his depar-
ture had nearly come. Having requested that the physician should be
called, and also his son, who occupied a dwelling adjobinghis own, he said, —
'* The Ume is come; Lord, help," and closing his eyes, expired without a
struggle.
l£r. Patterson had eight children, — all by his first marriage, and all bom
in America. Robert ^ hiB eldest son, bom April 1, 1773, is an ordained
minister of the Presbyterian Church, and was formerly Pastor of a Church
about seven miles from Pittsburg.
FBOM THE BEY. GEORGE POTTS, D. IX
Kaw York, May 29, 1862.
My dear Brother : I am sorry that, in attempting to comply with your request,
I cannot give yon the results of an intimate personal acquaintance with my ven-
erated relative, Mr. Joseph Patterson. As I passed through the city of Pitts-
burg, on my way to and from the South, I saw and conversed with him in the
latter years of his life, and this intercourse, brief and transient as it was, con-
firmed the previous high impressions of his excellencies, derived from those who
knew him best. I will try to indicate to you, in a few words, the traits by
which he was best kpown.
I think all his friends would agree, in selecting chUdUke simpUeity as the most
characteristic of his traits. It marked his natural and spiritual endowments.
He was a transparent man, and a transparent Christian. Any one, thrown into
his society, even for a short time, would quickly have discovered this. He was
affable and social in a high dogree, and had a quiet, simple, but forcible, way of
uttering himself, which made you feel that you were in company with an Isradite
in whom was no guile. This simplicity and directness of character gave to his
manners an unartifldal appearance, which might not altogether please those who
count stiffness and reserve essential to dignity. But a just observer would see
that this peculiar tone of character did not degenerate into weakness. He had
the sagacious insight as well as the simplicity we often see in children, and
which, when joinedy as it was in his case, with the experience of age, entitles its
possessor to the name of a totsc man. He made no pretension to great learning
and eloquence, in the ordinary meaning of the words, but he had what was
better, — a thorough knowledge of the human heart, and a thorough knowledge
of, and confidence in, the Christian methods of infiuendng it. He was a Twy
praetieal man. Exact and punctual in his engagements of every kind, taking a
common sense but well-considered view of all that he undertook, he said and did
in a direct way what the occasion required. He knew well how to become all
things to all men, without compromittiug tmth or duty: equally acceptable to
the wise and experienced, and to little children with whom he was a great
(kvourite. But his eminent usefulness to the various characters with whom he
sought intercourse, was, in a laige degree, owing to the fact that his childlike
simplicity at once enlisted their confidence. He had striking things to say, and
he said them often in a striking way, but you saw that there was no artifice
JOSEPH PATTSBSOK. 525
about them, — ^no stadied impromptiis were thej, bnt the spontBoeous impnbeB
of an active, pioiu, beneyolent sool.
His bmivaUnc$ was also a marked trait. Naturally, like many other men of
strong sympathieB, he was, as he often informed his friends, irritable and hasty.
Bat those who knew him late in life, wonld neyer haye saspected it. His social
disposition, his great accessibility, his large fnnd of anecdote, his capacity to
enjoy in moderation the humorous as well as the graye side of things, all
betokened the strength of the sympathies which drew him to his fellow-creatures.
No man was fonder of a quiet, genial laugh. With a truly Irish affinity for the
ludicrous, he sometimes assumed a solemn jocoseness and gentle sarcasm of
manner, which was highly entertaining. He used to condemn this disposition
of his, unjustly, under the name of levity. But it onght not to be so arraigned,
unless it become predominant, which was not the case in this instance. It has
often been a marked trait in the character of men of emment piety and beneyo-
lenee. That you may know what I mean, I will giye a specimen of his humor-
ous sarcasm, mentioned to me by a friend. After hearing a young preacher, who
eyidently thought more of himself than his subject, and whose discourse was
wanting in eyangelical unction, my fHend asked Mr. Patterson what he thought
of the sermon. " Well,*' said he, with his quiet smile, "there were a good
many good things which were not in that sermon.'* Syen in these moods, the
habitual spirituality of his mind was always apparent. He was no trifler: he
said and did nothing " to court a grin; " but, liying as he did under a profound,
practical sense of Diyine realities, and in an extraordinary degree upon the yery
borders of Heayen, he did not forget that he was in the flesh and among men.
He was, on eyery account, strongly drawn to them : a true Ohristian socialist,
he liyed not for himself, but cheerftdly and hopefhlly wrought in any of the
departments of social beneyolence. He was bent on doing good, not so much in
the way of large and magnifloent schemes, as in the laborious, minute, and often
obsctore, details of eyery day work. Thus, as a Pastor, he was one of the most
indefatigable; and, after leaving his charge to reside among his children in Pitts-
burg, his last years were employed among the crowds of that large city in
detailed labours, — ^the effects of which, like the eiftcts of the silent dew, cannot
be estimated by any arithmetic of ours. Pittsburg was and is a great thorough-
Ikre for emigrants, and among them he did a yast deal of work, in ministering
to their temporal and spirituid necessities, in a day when the name— Cbijporfmr
was as yet unknown. For this, as well as other works of mercy, his praise is
in all the Churches of Pittsburg.
While prosecuting his work in this department, he showed himself eminently
a fearless man. His firm trust in God and a good conscience prompted him to
do many things from which other good men sometimes shrink. I will mention
only one example. In one of his collecting rounds, an acquaintance met him.
Baying, ** Well, Father Patterson, what errand are you on to-day? " " I am
Just going to the man who keeps store over there, to get a dollar for my Bible
distribution.** ** Why, certainly you will not go to such a man as that — an
open infidel and scoffer; yon will not get a cent from him.** " Tes I will, 1*11
get a dollar — come along and see." They walked into the store. The old gen-
tleman made his request, in his usual bland way, and was met with scorn. '' I
won*t giye a cent for such a purpose.*' ** Bo you say you won*t? ** *' I say I
won't.** ** Well, I will go home with my subscription book, and lay it before
the Lord, and I will tell Him that Mr. absolutely refhsed to giye any thing
towards the distribution of the Bible.** There was a solemn reality in the good
old gentleman*s manner, which seemed to scare the man, — ^infldd as he was.
Opening the money-drawer, he said, " Here, take your dollar.**
Mr. Patterson was, in his religious yiews, a thorough-going, old-fkshioned
Oalyinist. His piety was deep and earnest, blending the experimental and prao-
526 FRESBYTSRLUf.
tical in doe proportion. In til his abnncUnt wsHyiij and saooess, he was a
thorooghlj humble man. His oonyersation and manner irereof.a piece with
this single record which he made, when relmqoishing his pastorate, after many
years of the most exemplary fidelity — ''I resigned, my charge on acdoont of
bodily infirmity, after being Pastor of Raccoon t^enty-seyen yesrs and six
months, for every day of which I need pardon through the blood of ChrUt.**
He was also a thoroughly trustful man. His natural simplicity of character
showed itself in his habits of prayer and communion with our Lord. He con-
versed with Him as a man with his friend, carrying every thing that interested
bun, in the shape of joy or sorrow, to the Throne of Grace. He was a strong
believer in such texts as the following — " Casting all your care upon Him, for
He careth for you **—" Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, bdiev-
ing, ye shall receive.'*
Mr. Patterson entertained the opinion that the strong language in which Holy
Scripture speaks of believing prayer. Justifies us in expecting special answers to
special prayers. And his own experience abounds with examples of such
answers,— -some very extraordinary indeed. I must content myself with giving
you one or two in the language of another.
« Some time after his removal to the West, he and some others made a pur-
chase of land, and paid the money. It was soon discovered that the seller was
not the owner. How much Mr. Patterson's share in the investment was, is not
known; but it was a greater loss than he could well bear. The other purcha-
sers had recourse to law, and advised him to * employ counsd.' * No,' he replied
quaintly — ' I have read in the Bible of a Wonderful Oounsellor, and I will apply
to Him.' The man who had defrauded him, had absconded, but, not long after,
as Mr. Patterson was passing his house, a child, running up to him, begged him
to come in. When he did so, the wife, handing to him the identical bag with
the identical dollars, said, ' My husband, wl^en he went away, charged me to
give you back this money, ibr, said he, I'm afhtid the man will pray me to
death.'"
Another instance is equally remarkable and suggestive. Bfr. Patterson taught
a school. The neighbourhood was poor and the people fbw and scattered. One
morning he was about to proceed to the school-room, which was at some dis-
tance fh>m his lodgings, when he discovered that his pen-knife was gone. He
supposed he must have dropped it the evening before, as he was returning firom
school. He could not replace it, as the nearest store was many miles off, and
perhaps even there, a pen-knile was not to be had. To make the matter worse,
snow had fkllen during the night, and covered the path. What could he do ?
Writing and arithmetic were the chief branches then taught. He was naturally
troubled at his loss, and as he walked along made his trouble a subject of believ-
ing prayer. At length his mind was relieved, and he fblt satisfied that in some
way the " Lord would provide." As he proceeded, he saw a man riding towards
him, and leading a horse by the bridle. When they got near him, the led hiorse
suddenly started off the road on to the foot-path. When Bfr. Patterson came
up to the place where the horse had kicked off the snow ttom the ibot^th,
there lay the lost pen-knifb. Mr. P. sidd to the narrator of this incident,
that he never had had a more delightfiil sense of God's goodness and fkithibl-
ness, as i^ prayer-hearing God, than on this occasion.
But I must not extend this imperfect description of my venerable relative.
He wiHi, in fine, " a good man, and fhll of the Holy Ghost and of fldthj and
much people were added to the Lord." He entered and dwelt in the Kingdom
of God, as a little child, — always frill of the mainthing,-^«lways acting as^seer
ing Him who is invisible. I think I see his fine benevolent fiice, with its bland
smile, as he talked of heavenly things, and assured me of his prayers that J apd
my new companion might be prospered in the spiritual life. It wias thus, in ms
JOSBPH PATTERSON. 527
most oMual interooime— he had always somethmg heayenly to say. " I am
afindd/' said he« one day, with his heneyolent smile, to one of his hosy merchant
friends, horrying past him in the street, — ^''I am afraid yon could hardly find
time to-day — ^to die," and passed on — a fine example of what is meant by being
instant oat of season.
I will only add that he took a deep interest in edacation, and especially in the
rising ministry. The Theological Institution at Alleghany enlisted his prayers
and efforts in a high degree. It was only a short time before his death, he said
to a friend, ** I liave found a new prayer for the students. Qod, before whom
my &thers, — Abraham and Isaac, did walk; the Qod which fed me all my life
long unto this day; the Angel which redeemed me from all evil; Uess the ladt,"
Gen. zlviii. 16, 16.
I need not say that Bfr. Patterson was a gentleman in manners— with the
characteristics I have mentioned, he could not haye been otherwise. In stature,
he was of the middle height, with an athletic frame. His yoice was low and
plaintive, his eye mild but clear, his nose aquiline, and his hair dark. His
profile was marked.
You will not wonder that I esteem it a great honour to be related to sudi a
man
Brer, my dear fiiend, yours truly,
6S0B6S POTTS.
PROM THE RET. WILLIAM NEILL, D. D.
Phtlapblphta, September 16, 1866.
My dear Sir: I spent my early years in the part of the country in which
Joseph Patterson exercised his ministry. He had commenced preaching some
time before I entered the Academy at Oannonsburg, and my principal knowledge
of him was from the visits which he occadonally made there and in the neigh-
bouring places, at Sacramental and other seasons, and from my being once or
twice a guest in his family. The occasion which I have more particularly in
mind was one of great interest to me. In those days the celebration of the
Lord's Supper was reckoned much more than it is now as a grand religious fes-
tival. It usually brought together a large representation from several congre-
gations in the neighbourhood; and it was looked forward to, and waited fbr, by
pious people, as a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The
preaching was often marked by unusual power, and attended with a copious
blessing; and it was a common thing for those who made a profession of religion,
to date the origin of their serious impressions to one of these interesting seasons.
It was on such an occasion that I, in company with several of my feUow-stu-
den^, went to Mr. Patterson's, in a pkce called Raccoon, distant about twelve
miles from the Academy. On reaching his house, we found that a large num-
ber of persons from different places had preceded us, and we began to appre-
hend that his accommodations in the way of lodging were already exhausted : I
therefore ventured to propose to him that we should seek lodgings elsewheiie;
but, instead of assenting to my suggestion, he immediately stepped upon the
piasza, and with a loud voice said, — " Not a soul will go away from this house
to-night;'' and, accordingly, there were probably between twenty and thirty
who found lodging that night under Mb roof. The circumstance was illustrative
alike of his hospitality and his decision.
Mr. Patterson was a man of a more than commonly grave and sdLemn aspect,
and showed by all his conversation and deportment that he lived habitually
under the influence of the powers of the world to come. He was naturally of a
social turn, but his conversation was almost always, if not directly religious, at
Wast tending towards a serious character; and he had a laige ftmd of anecdote
528 . FRESBTTBBIAK.
lUiistratiTe of Christian duty and experienooj which he wm McmBtomed often to
draw upon to great advantage. I never knew a man whose heart seemed more
intently fixed npon doing good. Wherever or in whatever ciicnmstances he
was placed, it was evident that he was always about his Master's business. It
was difficult for him to meet a person, even in the most casual way, and to hold
conversation with him on any subject, without dropping at least a word in rela-
tion to his higher interests. Nobody, I imagine, that knew him, ever doubted
the strength of his faith, or the purity and consistency of his entire character.
Mr. Patterson commanded great attention as an earnest and powerful preacher.
In the warm season, he more commonly preached in a tent, — the church edifice
being much too small for the accommodation of the multitude who attended on
his ministry. He regarded so littie his personal appearance, that he used often
to preach without his coat; but this was much less at variance with the tastes
and habits that prevailed at that day in that part of the country, than those
which exist at the present time. His preaching was always simple and plain,
but it was always sensible and edifying, and rich in evangelical truth. His voice
was loud and commanding, and he sometimes spake, especially in rebuking the
popular vices of the times, as one having authority. He was, however, a son
of consolation to Ohristians, and, indeed, he knew how to give to every one his
portion in due season. The results of his preaching were manifestly great, and
I doubt not that he is rejoicing in them in a better world.
Yours, forever, in the bonds of the Gospel,
WILLIAM NEILL.
ROBERT HENDERSON, D. D.
1788—1884.
FROM THE BET. R. B. MoMIJLLEN, D.D.
KvoxviLU, Tenn., March 81, 1867.
Bey. and dear Sir : The history of Dr. Henderson's life, considerbg the
prominent place he held among the ministers of his day, as well as his com-
paratively recent death, is veiled in no inconsiderable degree of obscurity.
After diligent and somewhat extended inquiry in respect to him> the follow-
ing is the best aooonnt that I am able to give you of the leading events of
his life, and the more striking traits of his oharaoter.
BoBXBT HxNDXBSON was bom in Washington County, near Abbgdon,
Ya., on the 81st of May, 1764. Being left an orphan at an early age, and
also in destitute circnmstances, he received very little education until after
the time of his conversion. The following is his own statement : —
^' When a boy quite down in my teens, my attention was fmrested and
fixed to Divine things, in a very unusual and extraordinary way. After
having been the subject of an almost indescribable distress for upwards of
a year, I at leugth found peace through the great goodness and mercy of
God, and became the subject of a delightful hope. Being filled with an
ardent desire to preach the precious Gospel of Jesus, I was much dis-
tressed because the way seemed hedged up before me, as I deemed it impos-
sible to obtain such a dassioal education as I beUeved to be essential to
SQoh an office. In this state of affairs, I tried to banish the thought from
my mind for about six months ; but finding all efforts of that kind nuavaii-
BOJBSBT HSITDSBSOK. 529
ipg,^ I i^i lengtl^ gaiaeJi Hke' pemiflgioiiLof mj mother, — a pobr widow'i to
iD^e ihd .tru4* . I tinderteok the ezpenae of. obtuning a dassidiJ edaoation
witbopt Jik dollar in band or in prospect."
.He QommeiHsed hie olaesioal studies under the tuition of the Boy. Samoel
])oak, IX. p., wboy a little while before, bad opened an Academy in Wash-
ington County, East Tennessee, then known as Martin Academy, and now
as Washington College. Here be pursued and completed his course of
study preparatory to entering the ministry ; and, in recording the fact, be
adds,— r*< it was not npon charity either/' He was licensed and ordained
by the Abingdon Presbytery in or about the year 1788, and took charge of
the two Churches of Westminster and Hopewell, — the latter of which was
at Dandridge,— the present County seat of Jefferson County, Tenn. He
was associated, in the First Presbytery formed in ibis part of the country,
with Blackburn, Carrick, and Bamsey. He continued to minister to the
churches just named for more than twenty years ; and was then released
from ihem to accept a call from the Churches of Pisgab and Murfrees Spring,
in Butherford County, West of the Cumberland Mountains. Ten years
previous to this translation, he had requested a dissolution of the pastoral
relation, on the ground that he was left sometimes in actual want from the
neglect of his people to supply him with the necessaries of life. The &cts
in the case having been laid before the Presbytery, that Body charged him
with *' ezcessire modesty and unnecessary delicacy in not letting his wants
be known ;*' and charged the churches with *' shameful want of public spirit
in fughcting to inquire into his necessities." The churches promised to do
better, and the Presbytery unanimously advised him to withdraw his petition.
He did so, and remained with them more than ten years longer. When he
finally loft them, their own statement concerning him was as follows ; — ** We
part with our beloved pastor with regret, whose labours we haye enjoyed
for more than twenty years, and with whom we have lived in bonds of strict-
est love and union during that period, without the smallest interruption."
After remaining a short time with the Churches of Pisgab and Murfrees
Spring, be left them, and preached a while at Nashville and Vranklin, in
adjoining Counties, and then returned and spent eight years more with them.
He then left them again, and took up his abode at Franklin, where he taught
a school, preaching there and in the surrounding country. Through bis
whole life, he seems to have suffered much from pecuniary embarrassment,
and more especially toward its close.
During several of his last years, Dr^ Henderson was gradually declining
in bealtb,---being alternately of a full habit, and then greatly emaciat^ad.
His death, which took place in July, 1884, was noticed by the Presbytery
to which, be belonged at their next meeting, in a manner that indicated a
very. high estimate: of his talents and c^iaracter.
, ir.- Henderson waa twice married— firsts to a daughter of the Bev, Heie-
kiah Balqh ; a^d afkei:wards to a daughter of Major John Hackett, an elder
in the Grassy Valley Church. Eaeh of these wives he considered a paragoa
of .i^oeUeiipe,; and it is said that he sometimes even made an allusion to one
Qr.thOroUiiei; ot^em inhis aermone, when.he>wlshed to present the highest
idea<^f female IaveUnesaw<' He Jiadr a laige fiimily of children^
<4^iP^i^M4^^ j^^^l^mM <tf -PmeivwlSem in ISitt^ wUidi oentain
loa^l^ impressive and stirring. thonghta, and bear the impress of a mind of
guperior mould.
Vol. m. 67
530 FBESBTTBBIAV.
Dr.. Henderson was ^ man of great powers of address. Sometimes he
was oyerwhelminglj solemn ; at oUier times, witty and humorous; and then
again, most seyere and scathiog. His appeals were, bold and passionate,
and at times awfully grand. He possessed a well nigh matohless power of
mimicry, and oould aooomplish more by voice, countenance, attitude, and
gesture, than almost any other man. He was accustomed to lash the vices
of the times, as with a whip of scorpions ; and yet he often spoiled hb most
solemn and pungent appeals by some flash of wit, that would bring a smile,
if not a broad laugh, over his congregation. He was himself fully aware of
this unfortunate propensity, and mourned over it ; but it stuck to him as a
part of his nature. In the prime of life, he had great reputation, not only
as a pungent but a profound preacher; but his eccentricities, particolarly
that to which I have just referred, no doabt interfered not a little with his
usefnlness as a Christian minister. His passion for detailing humorous
anecdotes seemed to gain strength with advancing years ; and perhaps it is
due to truth to say that, with the more pious portion of his hearers at least,
hb later labours were not hb most acceptable. For many months before
hb death, however, — owing to his bodily infirmitieB, he preached but
seldom.
Dr. Henderson was a most earnest and vigorous supporter of Gospel
order,— especially as connected with the worship of God. He was, for
instanoe, an uncomprombing opponent of Camp-meetings. In a letter
written to hb very particular friend. Colonel F. A. Ramsey, in 1804, he
says,— <*I was with Mr. Blackburn at Little Biver last Saturday, Sabbath,
and Monday. If the quantum of religion b to be estimated by nobe, and
the number of those people who pray very loud in the same circle at the
same time, the people there have certainly more religion than all the other
people of thb country put together. They go incalculably beyond what I
think right in these respects."
No man was more fearless than Dr. Henderson in the discharge of what
he believed to be hb duty. What Conscience dictated to him must be
done,— no matter what obstacles might be in the way. He was invited to
deliver a sermon in Nashville on Profane Swearing. This he appointed to
dp in the Court House, — ^no house of worship having been erected there at
that time. Upon rising in the Judges' place, he saw sitting directly before
]^m two men who were among the most notorious swearers in Tennessee ; both
of whom had rendered him substantial pecunbry aid in time of need. He
afterwards said that worldly policy immediately suggested that he should
postpone that subject till another time, lest he should offend those who had
so kindly minbtered to hb necessities ; but that Conscience sprang up and
said, — *^ Bobert Henderson, do your duty." He obeyed Conscience; and
it b said that hb delineations, and lashings, and denunciations, of profane
sweavera, were absolutely terrific. The subject was exactly suited to hb
descriptive and pantomimic powers, and he did it the most ample and fearful
justice. He sat down feeling that he had satbfied hb conscience, but not
doubting that he had permanently alienated hb friends. The next day they
sent for him, and he went with the fiill expectation of receiving a torrent of
abuse ; but to hb great surprise they met him with the utmost kindness,
thanked him for Jus fiuihfiil reproofii, and presented him with a fine suit of
clothes as an expression of their respect and gratitude. He received the degree
of Doctor of Divinity f^om Greenville OoUege in 1818.
BOfi£BT HEKDE&SOK. 531
SegreiUng that I liaye not more ample means of complying with your
request, I remain yonr friend and brother,
B. B. MoMULLSH.
FBOM THS BET. ISAAO ANDEBSON, D. D.
Makttiiu, East Tennessee, January 8, 1849.
Dear Sir: I knew the Bey. Bobert Henderson, D. D., oonceming whom you
inquire, but am apprehensive that my reminisoenoes of him are not sufficiently
extensive to answer the purpose for which you ask them.
Dr. Henderson was gifted with pulpit talents of a high order. He explained
the doctrines of the Gospel with great deamess^ and enforced its duties with
great power. He was an earnest and animated speaker, and his appeals to the
hearts and consdenoes of his hearers were often of the most pungent diaracter.
His sermons were frequently two hours, and sometimes three hours, in length;
but notwithstanding this, his congregation heard with attention and without
weariness. He often introduced into his most solemn discourses such strange
comparisons and illustrations, that those accustomed to hear him would involun-
tarily smile, and sometimes well nigh burst into a laugh. I hare seen thousan.ds
hanging on his lips, with theur eyes fixed intensdy upon him, and the tears flowing
profusely down their cheeks, and yet a smile playing on almost every ikce. He
administered to vice the most scathing rebukes, which sometimes produced solemn
awe, and sometimes bitter resentment. On one occasion, when his audience con-
sisted, as was supposed, of more than two thousand persons assembled in a
grove, he saw several rude men laughing and talking at some distance firom him,
and without a pause the following lines burst fW>m his lips like a dap of thunder —
** Laugh ye proftme, and swell and burst,
' "WlthboldWpiety,
" Yet shall you live forever cursed,
"And seek in vain to die,-**
and then went on as if nothmg had taken place, ffis oddities as a speaker
seemed to have the same effect in keeping his hearers from weariness, that a recess
commonly has under other speakers. As he often found it necessary to go into
the grove, from the house being too small to contain the people who had assism-
bled, he would state to them explidtly what sort of behaviour he considered as
becoming a worshipping assembly, and would speak particularly of the great
impropriety of wearing thdr hats; and then woul^ condude with some suoh
remark as the following—" If, after what I have sud, you will not takeoff yonr
hats, you may nail them on for what I care.*' But notwithstanding he abounded
in such oddities, he was still eminenUy useftil, and is remembered by the aged
Ohristians of Bast Tennessee with the most affectionate respect.
Yours truly,
ISAAO AEDEBSON.
FBOM J. G. M. BAMSEY, M. D.
MnoKuvBuaa, near Knozvllle, Tenn., )
March 26, 1867. $
My dear Sir: The '^ Annals of the American Pulpif would oertamly be
incomplete without some notice of the Bev. Dr. Bobert Henderson. He was one
of the pioneer heralds of the cross, — an apostie of rdigion and learning, on the
frontiers of both Bast and West Tennessee; in the early settiement of both
whkh he acted a prominent and very usefhl part. I have a most distinct reod-
lection of him. He was the bosom friend of my fother,— the late Odond F. A.
Bamsey, and a rerj frequent guest at his house. He was the fkvourite preacher
.! aBSBYVBBUH.
Funeral Sermon BhQjtfdJbft.preeobei V ]bix^>:»iui from a text of her owavilepr
tioiir-rr(HebrewB yi. 18, 19, 20.) This was done, accordingly, at Lebanon Oburch
in 1805, and with another Sermon preached in her bed-room a abort time before
her death, was pablished in pamphlet form, and eztensiTelj drcnUted in the
Tennessee Churches. Up to 1811,— during all my boyhood, I had frequent
opportunities of seeing him<aiid hoaring him preach.
Dr. Henderspa waa not a ywj. learned, nor should I say in the highest sense,
a .yery e]pquenty.preachsr; andyet he.was exceedingly methodical, instiructite, and
I may add, impressire. iBe adopted theold mode of sermonizing, and 4irided and
SQbdijdded his sul^eot. almost M. it\fiBiUuim, He preached extemporey and with-
patjeTenjBhori notes. He vas very fluent, self-possessed, and always prepared.
The arcbiteetun of his pulpit performances was rery complete,-r-«Ten: classical—
the lueidu$ crdo was. perh^M the most prominent trait; but, in the application
and improvement of his subject, he was often exhortatory and pathetic, some-
times caustic and- denunciatory. In respect to these latter qualities he has had
ftw equals^ I have seen M the immense gatherings of earlier times, thousands
of his hearers subdued and overwhelmed by his melting pathos. On such occa-
sions, bis indescribable earnestness, his emphatic tones, his bold and significant
and striking gesticulation, were pe^sctly irresistible. His preaching was always
sure to attract a crowd, and his longest sermons were listened to, not only with-
out the slightest sign of impatience, but generally with the most fixed attention.
His prayers were singularly impressive. His utterances were in a subdued,
sometimes scarcely an audible, tone; and his whole manner took on an air of
remrential solemnity and awe that I have rarely witnessed in any other man.
He must have been a strangely constituted person indeed, whatever his character
may have been, who could have listened to one of Dr. Henderson's prayers, espe-
cially in certain states of feeling, without being moved by it.
In his intercourse with the world, he bad a good deal of theold-fiMhioned min-
isterial dignity and reserve; but in bis own fiimily he was most atlectionate; and
in the, social drole was. kind and communicative, and sometimes highly enter-
taining. . On the frontier he had to contend against vice in high places; and there
he displayed a spirit that was truly heroic Against duelling and horse^racing,
two of the popular evils of the day, he lifted up his voice like a trumpet; and
that too, even when General Jackson was among his hearers. On one occasion,
that distinguished citisen,.an admirer not more of courage than of Ohristian
fOQffistenoy, sent him % valuable present, as a token of hia grateful respeet^ for
hft^ring sternly rebuked these vices in his presence.
c^iPiiOijDi^ many years have passed since Dr. Henderson's death, and m^y more
tii^, mj oppoxtunities of observing him terminated, he was a man to leave
Bti:Qng impressions, and henoe I have great confidence in presentuig hinji to you
as he is retained in my memory.
4 . Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. G. M. BAXSST.
AfiAira&TXSJf ^3
ASA HILLYER, D.C*'
1788—1840*
AaA BiLLTSB waa bom ia Sheffield, Mass., April 6, 1768. His father,
who was a physioiftn, was a Dative of Granby, Conn., bat had removed to
Sheffield to enter upon the practice of medicine, where he was married to a
daughter of Deacon Ebenezer Smith. He returned with his tknnlj to his
native place, when this son was about ten years of age, and there, with the
ezcf^ption of a residence of perhaps two years on Long Island, he remained
till his death. In the Revolutionary war, he served in the American army
as |i Surgeon, and, during part of the time, was attended by his son, who
was then probi^bly about sixteen or eighteen years of age.
The subject of this sketch entered Tale College in 1782 and graduated in
1786, at the age of twenty-three. It was at this time that his father resided
at Bridgehampton, L. I.; and as the son was returning home from College,
the vessel in which he sailed was driven ashore on a stormy night, near the
East end of the Island. There happened to be a mother with several small
children on board, to whose preservation he devoted himself; and, as the
moming dawned, he placed them in a boat, and, plunging into the water,
pushed the boat ashore. This event had an important influence on his future
character and course of life. Until that time he had been a stranger to the
hopes of the Oosjpel ; but he then consecrated himself, upon that solitaiy
beach where his life had been jeoparded and mercifully preserved, to the
service of his God and Redeemer. The resolutions which he then formed
he was subsequently enabled to carry out ; and, in due time, he commenced
his theological studies under the direction of the venerable Dr. Buell of
East Hampton, and completed them under Dr. Livingston of the Reformed
Dutch Church in the city of New York.
Having been licensed to preach by the Old Presbytery of Suffolk, L. I.,
in 1788, he was appointed to supply the Churches at Connecticut Farms
and Bottle Hill, (now Madison,) two Sabbaths each. The Congregation in
the latter place, on hearing him preach, invited him with great unanimity to
become their Pastor ; and he was accordingly ordained and installed over
them September 29, 1789.
In the summer of 1701, he was married to Jane, the only child of Cap-
tain Riker of Newtown, L. I., — with whom he lived most happily for thirty-
seven years. She died in 1828. They had seven children, — ^four sons and
three daughters.
In the year 1798, while minister at Bottle Hill, he was appointed by the
General Assembly a nussionary to visit the Northern part of Pennsylyania,
and the Western part of New York. On this tour he was engaged for nine
weeks, and travelled upwards of nine hundred miles, — preachbg almost
every day, and sometimes twice a day, during the whole time. He preached
the first Sermon ever preached in what is now the city of Auburn.
In the summer of 1801, he was invited to take the pastoral charge of the
Church in Orange ; fu&d, having accepted the invitation, he was installed on
• Fan. 8«ni. in MS. hj fi«T. J. GallaclMr.— MS. frmn R«t. Joteph M. Oidtn.— Do. Dram
Dr. Pionai.-^ttle>8 Hkt. Piwb. Oh-Tlfadiioo, N. J.
534 PBBSBTTBBIAK.
the IGtlk of December following. In this congregation, — one of the laigeet
and most inflntotial in the State, he laboured with great acceptance and
snooess for upwards of thirty years. On several occasions after his removal
to Orange, he visited, in company with a brother minister, the destitute set-
tlements in the interior of the State, where his labours were always highly
appreciated. He resigned his pastoral chsrge in 1888 ; and, from that time
till his death, devotj^d himself to visiting, attending religious meetings in
the week, and preaching on the Sabbath, as occasion or opportunity occurred,
to the three Presbyterian Oongregations of the town.
While sustaining the responsibilities, and performing the duties, of an
extensive pastoral charge, he did not shrink from responsibilities and duties
of a more public nature. He assisted in the formation of the United
Foreign Missionary Society, (since merged in the American Board,) of
which he was a Director. He assisted also in the formation of most of the
great National Societies for extending the knowledge and influence of the
Gospel, which came into existence during the period of his ministry. He
took a lively interest in their operatiuns, contributed freely of his time and
money to their 9upport, and always, unless providentially prevented, attended
their anniversaries.
In 1811, he was chosen a Trustee of the OoUege of New Jersey, and
held the office till the close of life. In 1812, he was appointed one of the
first Directors of the Theological Seminary at Princeton, and was re-elected
regularly unUl after the division of the General Assembly.
In 1818, he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Alleghany
College.
In the disruption of the Presbyterian Church in 1887, Dr. Hillyer fell
on the side of the New School. But, though he regarded the division as
an unwise measure, it never disturbed his pleasant relations with those of
his brethren whose views and action in reference to it differed from his own.
The Princeton Seminary, too, he regarded to the last with undiminished
interest, and its honoured Professors, with whom he had so long been
familiar, he never ceased to reckon among his best friends.
In the winter of 1889-40, he was attacked by a disease, under which his
bodily energies soon began sensibly to decline ; and though his friends hoped
that the return of warm weather might affect him fevourably, they were
doomed to disappointment. During the period of his decline, a revival of
religion took plsce among the people to whom he had so long ministered,
and it was a sore trial to him that he could not more directly participate in
it ; but he evinced at once the most thankful and submissive spirit. His
last public address was delivered at the Communion less than four weeks
before his death; and his last ministerial act b public was pronouncing the
benediction on the Sabbath following. He witnessed the approach of death
without the least sign of apprehension, — ^knowmg in whom he had believed*
He suffered considerably during the last day of his life, and it was the only
day in which he was wholly confined to his bed. He died on the evening
of the 28th of August, 1840, retaining his consciousness, as was supposed,
iSSl the moment the vital spark was extinguished.
Dr. Hillyer's only publications were a Sermon preached before the Pres-
byterian Bdiication Society, 1820 ; and a Sermon on a day of Public Thanka-
^ving and Prayer, 1822.
ASA HILLYXB. 535
I knew Dr. Hillyer dighdj, while I was a stadent in the Seminary at
Prinoeton; more, ofter I was settled in the ministry, and qnite intimately,
in some of hSs last years. He always seemed to me a rare specimen of
Christian and ministerial dignity, consistency, and loveliness. He had a
fine person, a Smm with regcdar features and benign and attractive expres-
sion, and in his manner and whole bearing he was exceedingly bland and
genial. I nsed to love to oonyerse with him, not becanse I expected to hear
from him any thing specially striking or original, but because he always
spoke out of a full, warm heart, and made me feel as if I was in the com-
pany of " the disciple whom Jesus loved." I do not remember to have
ever heard him utter a word of questionable prudence or propriety. I have
heard him talk freely concerning his brethren whose views on exciting and
absorbbg questions of church policy differed greatly from his own, but not
a sentence fell from him, which might not have been communicated to them
vrithout jeoparding in the least their kindly feelings towards him. Dr.
Miller and he for instanoe took opposite sides in the great Church contro-
versy ; but there, was no man towards whom he continued to the last to
manifest a more affectionate regard, and I had reason to know that that
regard was fully reciprocated. While it was evident that he had no ambitious
aspirations, and oared nothing for popular favour, except as it might be ren-
dered subservient to his usefulness, it was impossible that a character formed
under the influence of such high principles, and so uniformly consistent and
benevolent as his, should not have left its mark on the community in which
he lived, and should not be gratefully cherished in the remembrances of
many others.
FBOM THE BET. GIDEON N. JUDD, D. D.
MoirraoiaRT, If . T., March 2, 1867.
My dear Brother: Tn compliance with your request, I will state my general
impressions concerning our venerated firieud. Dr. Hillyer. During twenty years
we were oo-presbyters, fourteen of which we resided near each other, and had
charge of intermingled parishes, and were often assodated in labours designed
to promote the spiritual welfiure of our flocks, and the interests of the Kingdom
of our adorable Bedeemer.
His physical fi>ame was above the ordinary stature, symmetrical and com-
manding, and his countenance an index of the benevolence of his heart. He was
cheerftil, without levity; dignified in his deportment, but not magisterial or for-
bidding; a pleasant companion and fluthful fiiend. In his fiimily, he was, as he
justly deserved to be, an object of affection and veneration. As a preacher, he
was highly respectable; and as a pastor, he had but few suppers or own equals.
His sensibilities were keen. WiUi his people, both in thdr joys and sorrows, he
deeply sympathized. In the house of affliction, by the bedside of the dying,
and among the bereaved, he was eminently a son of consolation. In visiting the
families of his flock, be was assiduous, kind and faithftd. To the thoughtfbl
and anxious inquirers after the way of salvation, and to the p<K>ple of God, in
their conflicts, fears, sorrows and Joys, he was a deeply interested, tender and
ikithful counsellor and guide. He was a flne sjiecimen of a Christian gentleman,
and in all his relations reflected honour upon his office, as an ambassador of the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Ywj sincerely and ihktemally yours,
€». N. JUDD.
636 VBiRBttmaUB.
JOHN BROWN, D.D.
1788—1842.
FROM THS RSTi ROBBRT 0; SMITH,
PBOFXssoft nr oaLftTHOBPi uHiVnufT.
MiuuxDasYiuBy March, 20, 1817.
Bey. and dear Sir: Id oomplying with jour. request for some aeoount of
the life and character of the Her. Dr. John Brown, kte of Fort Gaines^ in
this State, it is due to tmth to say that, though I preached hb Funeral
Sermon, I never knew him until his sun had verged far towards the West.
From the testimony of those who had seen it in its meridian splendour, in
connection with the heaotiful tints which, even in setting, it threw upon the
landscape, I shall he ohliged to make out my biographical portrait.
John Bbovn was bom in Ireland, Antrim County, on the 15th of
June, 1763. His father was among the poor of this world, and therefore
voluntarily became a subject of what was called the *^ Kings bouniy ;*' — an
arrangement by which the distressed of Ireland might obtain a gratuitous
passage to America, and at the same time secure a title to a hundred and
sixty acres of land in one of the Carolinas. He chose his location in Ohes-
ter District, S. C; and there liyed to see his son John a distinguished
minister of the Oospel. The mother of John, like Hannah, ** lent her son
to tiie Lord," and early taught him to read the Scriptures. In Us
sixteenth year, he enjoyed the advantages of a country school for nine
months ; and in his nineteenth year, he was sent for an equal period to a
grammar school in the Waxhaw setUement. These eighteen months make
the sum total of his educational advantages — the rest of his early years
being spent in assisting an indigent and afflicted father to conduct a farm for
the support of his &milyi During the latter nine months, which he devoted
to study, he was assodated with the destined hero of New Orleans ; and,
like that hero, he did not wut to be forced into the military service of his
country. At the age of sixteen, he vras seen voluntarily exchanging the
Oroves of the Academy for the noise and bustie of the Gamp, and, under
General Sumter, intrepidly fighting hi^ country's batties.
But no sooner was Peace restored than young Brown was found again
diligentiy engaged for the improvement of his mind. He also soon per-
ceived that his country wss invaded by another enemy, far more to be
dreaded than British forces. The toicsin of alarm had been sounded; and
the call, made by the great " Captain of our salvation,'' for yoflunteers^ fell
upon his ears in tones loud and long. For this service he felt wholly unpre*
pared. His weikpons in the previous warfaref had been- carnid. ^ But' such;
he wks aflsured, would not now answer. The sword of th6 'Spirit inuM'b^
wielded — ^the whole armour of Gk>d put on. But he was *' not* disobedient
to the HiBavenly call." '^Immediately he conferTiad ndt with flesh and
blood," btit consented to enter the service, snd, by pray^ atid stipplication,
sou^t those weapons which are " mighty through Obd to the pulling down
of strong holds."
Having studied Theology under the instruction of the Bev. Dr. BlcCorkle,
near Salisbury, N. C, he was licensed to preach in the year 1788, by the
Presbytery witii n^hiok his veaenble telushe& w«i ooiineotod;^' >iB thift oolme
of the name year, he was married^to a Miss McCoUooh, in whose- affeotions
he livod for fifty years,— when she was taken from him by death.
Having laboured, both in teachbg amd preaohing, ' for a few< years after
hb licensure, he was invited to the Pastorship of the Waihaw Ohuroh, 8^ 0.
He accepted the invitation, and remained there for ten years. 'A difference
of sentiment among the members of his church led him to rerign hiS'^oharge ;
and again, for a few years, he resorted to teaching, which seems to hlnre
been a &vourite employment with him. Notwithstanding his limited odvan*
tages already referred ta, and the pressing duties of a popular preacher,
he rose to viery considerable literary distinction. In 1809, he was elected
Professor of Logic and Moral Philosophy in the University of South Caro-
lina ; and in 1811, he* was chosen President of the University of Gkorgia.
The duties of these offices he discharged with much ability, and with a
fidelity which many of the citisens of those and the adjoining States must
long remember with gratitude.
The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the CoUege
of New Jersey in 1811.
After leaving the Presidency of the College, he removed to Jasjter County,
Gki., and was soon after chosen Pastor of Mount Zion Church, in Hancock
County, in the same State. This station he held for twelve years ; and then
removed to Fort Gaines, where he spent his remaining days. His wife died
shortly after this last removal* His labours here were those of an evan-
gelbt.
About the 20th of November, 1842, he perceived symptoms of approach-
ing dissolution. But such symptoms had no terrors for him. He loved
dearly his children and friends ; but he felt that '*to depart and be with
Christ was far better." He lingered till the 11th of December, when, in
the eightieth year of his age, he departed to his eternal rest.
Dr. Brown's life was eminently devoted to the service of Qt)d, and regu-
lated by the precepts of the Gospel. His religious feelings had both
strength and ardour, but were ever subject to the control of reason. If, in
matters of religion, the right lies between two extremes, Dr. Brown certainly
occupied the proper point ; for I know not whether he was more distant from
extravagance and enthusiasm on the one band, or from lifelessness and cold
monotony on the other. His piety consbted in the steady and active opera-
tion of a holy principle rather than in the excitements of times and occasions.
He had a strong aversion to every thing like ostentation; and hence he
rarely spoke of his own spiritual exercises — ^indeed he seldom spoke of him-
self in reference to any thing. He did, however, occasionally disclose his
religious feelings to his more intimate friends ; and from what he said to
them, as well as from the tenor of hiis daily deportment, it was quite mani-
fest that **he Walked with Ood." His belief of the doctrines contained in
the Westminster Confession of Faith was firm and uniform. But he was
far from a bigoted pertinacity. On the contrary, his mind was ever open
to the force of reason, and ready to adopt any sentiment which seemed to
him supported by sound argument. But he was as far from fickleness as
from bigotry. He had no peculiar relish for what was new, and no dispo-
sition to become weary of a sentiment^ because it had been long enter-
tained.
Vol. el 68
538 IWBSBTTERIAH.
Dr. Brown was no partiBun in religion. He belonged to no sect, unless,
by the abuse of that term, it is made to apply to the whole mass of devont
Protestants. He laboured, and prayed, and felt at home, among all who love
our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, by whateyor name they might be ealled.
As a minister of the Gospel, he certainly possessed rare excellencies. He
had that combination of intellectual and moral qualities, which gives sta-
bility and duration to a minister's usefulness. His perceptions were dear,
his power of discrimination great, his imagination sufficiently fertile, and
his heart susceptible of profound emotion. He was always serious and affec-
tionate in his manner, insomuch that none who heard him could doubt that
his object was the glory of Ood in the salvation of souls. His style was
simple, clear and dignified; suited to oonyey to his hearers the plain and
logical conceptions of his own self-cultivated mtelleot. His sermons were
at once doctrinal and practical — ^while they exhibited the truth, they brought
it to bear direotly upon the heart and conscience. He lived to witness
many revivals, and always had an important agency in carrying them for-
ward.
He had high qualifications also as an instruoter of youth. He possessed
great kindness of disposition, sterling intelligenoe, and genuine decision.
He exhibited politeness without affectation, dignity without haughtbess,
and strict adherence to rules of order without a needless and belittling pre-
msion. In the prime of life, he was distinguished for his skill and despatch in
business. In all his conduct, whether public or private, he was so free from
self-importance and dogmatism, so benign, and circumspect, and conciliatory,
that I am not aware that he ever needlessly wounded the feelings of any body.
Dr. Brown had ten children, only five of whom lived to maturity, and
only three survived himsel£ At the time of his death, he had two sons and
one daughter. His son John^ who was a physician, has amoe died, more
extensively lamented perhaps than almost any individual who has ever died
in the vicinity of Vort Qaines.
Tours affectionately,
B. 0. SMITH.
FBOM THB BET. SAMUBL K. TALMAGE, D. D.,
OoLiTHOBpa IjHivBBSiTr, Msy 12, 1849.
Bev. and dear Sir: I knew Dr. Brown concerning whom yon inquire, and
certainly regarded him as a remarkable man. But I know not whether I can
tell you any thing concerning him, which you have not already received fW>m
other sources.
He was a wonderfully fluent speaker — ^I am not sure that I have ever known
the individual who was more so. He abounded in, rich evangelical and experi-
mental instruction. His humility was remarkable. He was ever ready to defer
to the humblest of his young brethren. His modesty prevented him from acquir-
ing that celebrity to which his talents, research, and intrinsic worth, entitled
him. His indifference to the world and his unbounded generosity kept him
always poor. His excessive confidence in men made him the dupe of many a
deceiver. He was perfectly guileless and unsuspicious. He loved every body,
and the law of kindness dwelt upon his tongue. I never heard him say an
unkind word of any human beinig. Whilst truly liberal in bis Judgment of
other denominations, and careftd to offend no one, he was one of the firmest
JOHK BBOWir. 539
fiiendfl of the PreBbytemn Ohucli I ever knew. He belieyed its doctrines,
polity, and order were purely seriptoral; and his diligent exanunfttion of Scrip-
tare, pursued by a searching and discriminating mind, made him a powerfbl
advocate of the system which he embraced.
He was well entitled to the appellation we nsed, when speaking of him, —
** Oar apostle John." A venerable lady, now deceased, wife of Joseph Bryan,
leading elder of the Moant Zion Oharch, Qa., used to relate many anecdotes of
him. Bfr. Bryan was in the habit of collecting his salary, and providing his
family supplies. He would not trust his beloved and venerable pastor with tho
keeping of his own money, or the making of his own bargains. When Dr.
Brown needed a new hat, or a supply of dothing, he consulted his elder. When
he needed a little money to go to Presbytery or Synod, Mr. Bryan furnished it.
Mrs. Bryan said, if her husband gave him a twenty dollar bill, he would give it
all away, if he saw an object that appealed to his sympathy, without reflecting
how he was to pay his expenses on the journey. After dwelling, on a certain
occasion, at considerable length, on his character, she closed her description by
adding, — '* In fkct. Father Brown is good for nothing in the world, but just to
go right home to Heaven, and take the^highest seat there."
Yours truly,
SAMUEL K. TALMAGS.
SAMUEL PORTER »
1789—1825.
Sakuxl Pobtxb was bom in Ireland, on the Uth of June, 1760. His
parents were worthy members of the Brformed Presbyterian Church, com-
monly called Oovenanters, and attached great importance to their distinct-
ive peculiarities. His mother devoted him to the Lord, for tho work of
the ministry, from his birth ; in reference to which she called him Samuel.
Not, however, having the means of obtuning a liberal oduoation, he learned
the business of a weaver, without, at the time, having any other prospect
than earning his livelihood by this humble oooupatton. Having, in due
time, taken to himself a wife, he determined to seek a home on this side the
ocean ; and, aooordingly, in the year 1788, when he was about twenty-three
yeaiis of age, he succeeded in carrying out his purpose. On his arrival in
this country, he went into the interior of Pennsylvania, and spent the first
winter in the vicinity of Meroersburg, Franklin County, where a near rela-
tive of his then resided. The expense of his voyage and journey after Us
arrival had entirely cizhausted his small funds ; though he quickly found
himself among kind friends, who genefously contributed towards the support
of his family.
As he had been very strictly trained in the peculiarities of his own
Church, and had bad little sympathy or intercourse with any other, he was
not much predisposed to attend on any other mbistrations. Being, how-
oyer, in the neighbourhood of Upper West Conocoche'ague, where the Rev.
(afterwards Dr.) John King exercised his ministry, he was induced, on one
occasion, to go to hear him preach; though his expectations of being edified
Memoir preflz«d to Us Sonnou and PislogoM.— Appondlx to Llfb of MsooHy.— Old Bod-
or pi>dfitedBeciiii^ii«lifti«tbee&^H^ '^Bd^lMui, %<>#cll^'^iigf(^
anee with hinowtf vidwiiidi (%lriilhEifi''ddbtrhie a»^ 'THik'lM'iifiiii to
go again and again; and the more he hisard Mr. King, 'the nd'ei^ fnlly'hi^
was 6Dnviikced that theire HfiB no difTcfrcttoe betweeii his own Church and the
Presbyterian* Ohordh of this ooitntiy, that need be an obstadle in the way
of his passing from 'the dne to the other. The next year, he went to live
in Western Pennsylvania, and having settled in Washington Connty; he
had frequent opportunities of hearing the Bey. Joseph Smith, and the Rev.
(afterwards Dr.) John McMillan ; and the result was that, at no distant
period, he transferred' hie relation to the Presbyterian Ohnroh^ from a con-
viction that his spiritual enjoyment would not Uiereby be. diniriinished,' while
his Ohristiaa usefolness would be increased.' '
By the advice of Dr. McMillan, attd some other ministers, 'who felt deeply
the need^of an increase of the means of 'evangelroal inaimotioti in that liew
country, and who withal had formed a very fiiYoiirable opinioii of the vigour
of Mr. Porter*s intellect, as well as the depth and strengUi of his reli^ous
feelings, he was induced to undertake a course of preparation for the Chris*
tian ministry: His Stndies were prosecuted, partly under Mr. Smith, and
partly under Dr. McMillan ; though he studied Theology exclusively under
the latter. Dr. McMillan, in consideration of his indigent circumstances,
made no charge for either Ins board or tuition ; and one of Mr. Porter's
own countrymen, — a man of great benevolence, who lived in the neighbour-
hood, kindly took charge of his family, and saw that they were comfortably
provided for, while he was going throx^ his preparatory studies.
Mr. Porter had inherited the strong feeling of disapprobation common to
the denomination with which he was originally connected,' of the use of atiy
other than the *^old version'- of the Psalms in religious worship. In thii^ state
of mind, he resolved, during his residence with Dr. McMillan^ io investi-
gate the subject of Psalmody with great care, and to write txi elaborate
defence of the views which he had always held in respect to it. As he pro-
ceeded in his ekammation, his convictions grew weaker instead Of' stronger,
and he finally felt constrained to abandon his previous views altogether,
and actudly betook himself, both in private and in- public, to the use of
Watts' Psalms, and continued to use them without scruple, ever afterwards.
As Mr. Porter had made Theology his study, in no small degree, from
very early life, and had acquired considerable general knowledge, before he
entered on a formal course of preparation for the ministry^ thb Presbytery
allowed the usual course of study^ in his case, to be somewhat curtailed.
Be was licensed to preach by the Presbytery 6t Redstone, on &e 12th of
November, 1789. At a meetmg of the Presbytery, April 120, 1790, he^
had a call put into his hands from the united Congregations of Pokef'Bun
and Oongruity, one from the Congregations of Dunlap's Creek and George's
Creek, and one from Long Bun and Sewiokly. ' The first of theiie calls he
accepted, and accordingly, on the 22d of September,' 1790; was ondained
and installed Pastor of the Congregations of Poke Bun and Cofigruity. In
these congregations he laboured with untiring diligeaee^ until l^e llth of
April) 1798v whenj-'OU' account 'ofiU health; he was* relea^Md' frdm Poke
Bun, though against the earnest wishes 'and remonstrances' ctf^'Aat portion
of his charge. The Congregation at Congruity now became responsible for
his entire salary; and he iDontinued their Pastor till the dose of his life.
SAXUSIV 4P0RTEB. ij^^^
■ In the beginning of Aeyear 1818, lie was called to v deep ttQBotiplf in
the death of a bob, of great promise, who bore his own n)uno.'' He had
been educated at Jefferson College, and was settled as a minister at Cum-
berland, Md., in the autumn of 1811. He was a young man of highly
respectable talents, amiable disposition, and decided piety. But he was cut
down when he had but just entered on his course : while his father, already
in the decline of life, was spared, amidst constantly increasing infirmities,
to labour yet many years in his Master's vineyard.
Towards the close of hb life, Mr. Porter became so feeble that he was
able to deliver his sermons only in a sitting posture ; and at length the
marks of decay began .to appear in his mind, particularly in his memory.
The last time he attempted to preach, he announced bis text as usual, and
the plan of his diseourse, but was unable to recall the first head, and was
obliged to relinquish the exposition of his subjects The circumstance
deeply affected him as well as his audience, and he then announced to theui,
after a brief but pathetic address, that his public ministrations bad come to
a dose. From .this time he was confined chiefly to his house, and his
strength gradually declined, till he passed from the scene of his labours to
his reward. He died on the 23d of September, 1825, in the sixty-sixth
year of his age, having been a Pastor thirty-five years.
The following is a list of Mr. Porter's publications :-r-A Discourse on the
Decrees of Ood, the Perseverance of the Saints, and Sinless Perfection,
being the substance of two Sermons, delivered at Congruity, 1798. A
Revival of true Religion delineated on Scriptural and rational principles,
in a Sermon delivered at the opening of the Synod of Pittsburg, 1805.
A Discourse relative to the Atonement of Christ, delivered at the opening
of the Synod of Pittsburg, 1811. Two Dialogues — one between Death
and the Believer — the other between Death and the Hypocrite. [These
were published many years after his death, and are said to have been writ-
ten before he entered the ministry.] In 1858, these several Discourses and
Dialogues were republished in a small volume, in connection with a Bio-
graphical Sketch of the author, by the Rev. David Elliott, D. D.
Mr. Porter occasionally contributed articles to the weekly journals, —
among which, was one of a strongly satirical character, entitled *' An Apol-
ogy for the Dmnkard," and another containing a Defence of the Synod of
Pittsburg against some ammadversions in the public papers on account of
its action in regard to Freemasonry.
FROM THE BEY. JAMES OARKAHAK, D. D., LL. D.
Paivonov, N. JT., May 18, 1867.
Rev.and dear Siv: In complying with your request to give you my reminis-
cences of the Rer. Samuel Porter ^of Western Pennsylvania, I have to say that
my- personal knowledge of him was very limited^ .As he was located, thirty or
forty miles ttom the jJace of my residence, I had the opportunity of seeing him
but a few times, and of hearing him preach only once, and that, on an occasion
so peculiar that the discourse could not be considered as* a hir specimen of his
ordinary ministrations. I have indeed heasd much respecting his early history,
his character a» a man, and as a Christian, and of his ability and snpo^ss. as a
minister of the GospeL Bnt I shalU>agreeably>to your suggestloii^ilimii Kyself
chiefly or entirely to my own rather scanty personal teoQllections.
542 PBESBTTEBIAir.
M7 impression in respect to the persontl appesnuice of Mr. Porter is, that he
was a little above the medium height, stoat and heavy boilt, indicating strength
rather than aotivity. His hair was of a light brown, the mnsdes of his hce fall, and
when at rest not indicating any ancommon degree of intellect; bat when he was
roused, every feature seemed illuminated with thought and feding.
Notwithstanding the defects of his early education, and the late period at
which he entered the ministry, &w men were better qualified to interest and
instruct a Christian audience. His ordinary sermons were said to be not decla^
matory and exhortative, but highly instructive and practical, bringing the great
truths of the Bible to bear on the hearts and consciences of his hearers. His
voice was loud but not harsh, and capable of being modified so as to express the
various emotions and passions. He had a rich vein of humour, and abounded in
pleasant and appropriate anecdotes. In the pulpit, this natural tendency was
kept under restraint; yet it would sometimes break out and excite a smile in
his audience; but these occasional episodes did not prevent him or his hearers
from falling back at once into the most serious and solemn train of reflection.
The only occasion on which I ever heard Mr. Porter speak in the pulpit was one
which required great constitutional and moral courage, as well as great talent in
overcoming the prejudices of his hearers. It was during the insurrection in
Western Pennsylvania, usually called the VThiakey inaurredion, in 1794.
In order to appreciate the courage and talent necessary to resist the torrent
of public opinion, we must have a knowledge of the agitated state of the four
counties in Pennsylvania, West of the mountains, and of the causes which pro-
duced the commotion. The mountains, which were scarcely passable by wheel
carriages, cut the people ofT from market for their produce at the East — ^the mouth
of the Ifississippi was in the hands of the Spanish; and the Indians, prowling
on the banks of the Ohio, attacked boats, loaded with flour, as they floated
down the river; so that the price which their produce would command in the
market, was but a poor compensation for the expense and risk they incurred in
conveying it thither. Ko way remained of getting any profit for their labour,
except by distilling their grain, and reducing it into a more portable form. At
that time, distilling and trading in whiskey was considered as honest and hon-
ourable an employment as any other. Distilleries became numerous, and a large
amount of capital was invested in ^hem. A heavy excise was laid on them and
their products, by the general government, recently gone into operation. The
excise bore very unequally and oppressively on the people West of the mountains,
and was very unpopular. Deputy exaa% men were seized at night by men in
disguise, carried into the woods, stripped and covered with a coat of tar and
Ibathers. Quns were discharged at or towards the United States Marshal, return-
ing in company with the Inspector of the excise, after serving a writ on a distiller
who had not registered his distillery as the law required. The next morning,
the house of the Inspector was surrounded by armed men, and his oommission
and papers demanded, which being refiised, an assault was made, and repelled
by the Inspector and his servants. Shortly after, a larger number of armed men
made a second attack on the Inspector's house, then guarded by a few United
States soldiers. The discharge of guns was brisk and fintal on both sides. A
soldier in the house was shot, and the oommander of the assailants killed. The
house and bam of the Inspector were set on fire, and the guard was compelled
to surrender. The United States mail from Pittsburg to Philadelphia was
seized, and letters opened in order to ascertain who were, opposed to these lawless
transactions. In obedience to a call made by the leaders, five or six thousand
men, armed and unarmed, assembled on Braddock's fields, about nine mUes
from Pittsburg. It was proposed to take possession of the United States Arsenal,
near Pittsburg, and to bum the town, unless the obnoxious persons were sur«
Tendered. By the dexterous management of a committee from Pittsburg, a
SAMUEL PORTER. 543
compronuM ws made,— nameljj that the indiTidoals named should he hanixhed
from Pittsboig, and firom the diatrict> in a fixed number of days. The insur-
gents marched into Pittsburg to show their strength, and dispersed without
doing much mischief. Inflammatory hand bills were placarded oyer the country,
calling on the people to resist, and threatening tar and feathers and destruction
of property, to those who opposed the wishes of the mob. The distilleries which
had been registered by their owners, as the law required, with an intention of
paying the excise, were forcibly entered, and the distilling apparatus destroyed.
There were many good citizens who disapproved of these lawless doings, and at
first did not interfere; and when the frenzy reached its hdght, one was afraid to
make known to another his opinion. The ministers of the Gospel, from an
unwillingness to introduce into the pulpit a subject which had a political aspect,
were generally silent. Not so with Mr. Porter. From the beginning, he spoke,
publicly and privately, against the unlawful proceedings, and prevented his own
people and others in the neighbourhood from participating in them.
When General Washington, then President of the United States, was advised
that the officers of the General Government had been driven fivm the country,
and that the Courts of the State did not and could not protect the persons of
peaceable citizens from violence, and their property from destruction, he caUed
out an army of fifteen thousand men, chiefly from New Jersey, the Eastern part
of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Yirg^nia. And while the army was on the
march, he sent a proclamation West of the Mountains, ofibring an amnesty for
what was past to all who, on a day named, would sign a solemn promise to
abstain from further violence, and to obey the laws of the United States. The
Governor of the State also ofTered a similar amnesty for the violation of the
laws of the State previously committed.
When these proclamations arrived, meetings were called in different places
to consider and decide what was to be done. In company with other students
of the Academy at Oannonsburg, I attended one of these meetings in the bounds
of Father McMillan^s Oongregation. Some hundred and fifty people were col-
lected. A stage or platform was erected in front of a public house, and tho
audience stood in the road, or sat on logs before the platform. Two or three
speeches in fiivour of non-submission and continued resistance were made and
applauded. A very respectable man, — an elder in the Presbyterian Ohurch, and
an Associate Judge of the County of Washington, rose and advised calmness and
moderation, and as soon as it was perceived that he was in favour of signing the
conditions of amnesty, he was hissed and pelted with dods of earth and mud,
and driven fit>m the stage. This, no doubt, was a fkir specimen of what occur-
red at other similar meetings. Many were determined not to sign the amnesty,
and to prevent by force others who were willing to sign it. Father McMillan
became alarmed; and as several of his oongregation, and a few members of his
church, were implicated in the disorders, he postponed the administration of the
Lord's Supper, which ought to have taken place. Having learned that Mr.
Porter had successfully opposed the lawless proceedings, he invited him to come
and address his people on the subject. Mr. Porter accepted the invitation, and
appointed a day when he would be present. As he had to cross the Monongahela,
and to pass tlm>ugh the r^on where the insurrection commenced, and where
the leading insurgents resided, many persons thought he would be mobbed on
the way; or if he came and advised submission, the sacred desk would not
protect him from insult and violence. Fully aware of these dangers, he came
alone, on horseback, and was at the place of worship at the time appointed. It
was on a week day, and a large congregation was collected, some from a distance,
and many not in the habit of worshipping in that place. After prelim'inary
devotional services, Mr. Porter rose, and with calmness and per^t self-posses-
sion, remarked in substance that he had come at the invitation of their venera-
ble pft^tor to ftddfesa th«m oq tk suljepl in wti^.thej ^nd the vhole oomniiiiiit^
•t tiut time wwro deeply iiijteripsie^; and ,tlutti^#8 a nuiuater of the CMsp^), he
had dejlerminedito Bf^j n9thing hat whit, the teaehingsof'dar^t^ ii^d hii
Apostles aqthoriied— he would thiirefore read as a guide for his remarks Ithe first
seven verses, of the thirteenth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans — *' Let every
sonl he snhject unto the higher powers^*' &o. , He first referred to the ocqasion
which led the Apostle to sp^k of the authority of civil rulers, and of the duties
which private dtixens pwe. to the ezisUng government— he stated that the inde-
pendence of the Jews as a nation was lost, and they were reduced into subjoo-
tion to the Bomans; — that thcor national pride was wouiided;--Hthat they
thought no government, except that given immediately by God to their ftthers,
was lawfiil;-^hat, feeling oppressed by a foreign yoke, they weire' ready oh
every occasion to throw it o£P, and to follow any leader who promisiBd'to restore
their national independence. They also lopked for a victorious prince hi the
Messias promised to their &thers. Vast multitudes Mowed Theudas and
others who pretended to be the Messias, and were destroyed by the Roman
armies, as is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Jews who embraced Ohris-
tianity were not wholly free frt>m national prejudices, and were liable to be over-
whelmed in the same terrible calamity which came upon that guilty and devoted
nation. The doctrine taught by the Apostle was, that civil government iras. a
Divine institution, established for the benefit of mankind; and to resist its
authority was rebellion against God— 4hat *'the powers that be"— that is,
the existing government, in whatever manner established, whether by conquest
or usurpation, or by the suffrages of the people, or whatever form it might
assume, ought, for conscience sake, to be obeyed in things not forbidden by
God; and even if the laws were, in many respects, oppressive, private dtisens
ought nevertheless to submit. He maintained that to the general doctrine of
obedience there are exceptions, and that passive obedience, in all cases whatsoever,
cannot Intimately be m&rred jprom the general precept. When human laws
interfere with the rights of oonsclepoe, and require men to do what Gpd has for-
bidden, or not to do what God has commanded, each indiridual is bound to obey
God rather than men; and if such a penalty await them, to suiSer imprisonment
and death. On this principle the Apostles acted, when forbidden by the Jewish
Sanhedrim to teach in the name of Jesus. On this principle Paul acted, and
therefore could not intend to teach passive obedience. Hor did he intend to
teach that the people, if they have the power, may hot change their rulers and
their laws, and adopt a new form of government, as was done in' the late Ameri-
can Revolution. But among these exceptions is not found the right to withhold
from the existing government the usual reverence. The main object in the pas-
sage under consideration, was to inculcate on Christians the duty of paying
tribute, even under the re^ of Nero,— «8 great a tyrant as ever existed. The
pftyiog of tribute affects the jmrse and not the conscience. . The tributes may be
pppreasive and impoverish the body, but it does pot rum the S09}. , And to
reiiue to pay, when the individual or individuals have no power to resist, is folly,
and madness, ^nd rebeOipn agamst God. If they ^uiQEbr' f^
trihnte imposed by *^ the )po^m that be,** they will nol' receive tWjnurt^r^
crown.
. As Mr. Porter, in his exposition, kept dose to the words' of *the ' Ajposilet Che
audience listened with decorum and attention. But ii^hen lie <|ame tb ap^jf the
principlee which he had foimd in the. inspired r^rd to the sitate of the W^'t^
ern GQnnti^,-r-to contrast the ^bute imposed by Nero with the exci^ 6iidli»^
tiUtnries and whiskey, and the absolute 4Mpotism o^ the Romaii gbveriitaient iifilh
t}\e fUective franchise of the^ljjated. S^^#^ there was ft^visihTe stfr and ibomijaiption
ip tha ammbly. Somei M^ .^^ir, lif^iu on. th^ir hats, iftif preparing to. lifav^
the hpn^e* r Otberik ftDJf ned »pd!80m<p4 J^f f9^^ and di?g ti^ ^l^v from
SAinJEL POBTBH. 545
the palpM. Mr. Porter, vhd spoke without note or paper helbre him, saw the
effeot of what he was saying, and to illustrate his ailment, he introdaoed a
humorous aueodote, aod in a short time changed the aspect of his audience, and
then returned to the serious view of his suhject. Again the same indignant feel-
ing was mani£teted« and he calmed the commotion bj another sallj of keen wit*
These changes from the serious to the ludicrous, and from the ludicrous to the
serious, occurred several times. At length the attention of the audience became
so absorbed in the subject, that the speaker was permitted to go on without
interruption. He showed that the present course was both foolish and wicked,
and that inevitable ruin awaited the people of Western Pennsylyania, if oppo-
sition to the Federal Qovemment, and violation of the State laws were con-
tinued ;-^that for a small district, — ^not more than sixty miles from East to West
and from North to South, — to attempt to resist the power of the United States,
was folly and madness greater than that which actuated the Jews when they
resisted the armies of the Roman Empire, and brought such a calamity upon
their nation and their sacred dty as the world had never witnessed; — ^that Gene-
ral Washington, who had successfully led our feeble army through a seven
years^ war with a powerful nation, was not the man to be turned aside from
performing what he thought to be his duty by threats and blustering, and tar
and feathers; — that an army of fifteen thousand men were on their march, and
the people of Western Pennsylvania must submit, or they must fight. He knew
and appreciated the valour and skill with the rifle, of the men West of the
Mountains; but they could not perform impossibilities; — ^they could not hope for
a miraculous interposition when they were in rebellion against the ordinance of
God and man. What could an unorganized body of men, however brave, with-
out the munitions of war, withoat money and without allies, do against an army
regularly organised, and frimished with all the means of destruction? Many of
their bravest and most prominent men would fkll, and others would be tak^n
captive and carried off to a distant part of the State, imprisoned and condemned
as traitors, and hung. He described in thrilling tones the ang^h of mothers,
and wives, and sisters, when they saw those dearer to them than life torn tcom
them as criminals. The hearts of the women, many of whom were present,
were touched, and the sympathies of the sterner sex were not unmoved. He
closed his discourse in an affectionate and soothing manner, stating that an
opportunity was presented of averting these impending calamities ; — ^that by
signing, in good feith, the conditions Of amnesty offered by the General and State
Governments, peace and order and happiness would be restored, and that he was
confident the oppressive tax would, in a short time, be removed, and a more
genial sun than had heretofore been seen, would dawn West of the Mountains.
He added that their great sin, in this as well as in other matters, was agamst
God, and called for repentance; — that the door of mercy was not yet dosed, and
the most vile and guilty might enter, assured that none who asked forgiveness in
the name of their Advocate on high would be rejected.
The triumph of the speaker was perfect. When he came down from the pul-
pit, he was cordially taken by the hand by several who had entered the house,
determined not to be convinced, and thanked for his able and timely discourse.
Others whose obstinscy would yield to no arguments, seeing a large majority of
the congregation were against them, departed in silence. These are a few of the
fragments of the discourse in oonnection with the transactions of that day, which
the storms of threescore and three winters have not swept from my memory.
In oondunon, let me remark that the power of Mr. Porter as a speaker is not
to be measured by any thing that he has written. Like the great Virginia Ora-
tor, Patrick Henry, he could speak much better than he could write. And you,
my dear Sir, as' wdl as many others, have not forgotten that the ably written
discourses of the late revered and beloved Dr. A. Alexander, were not equal in
You m. 69
546 PBBSBrrBBIAK.
power and effect to the addresses which flowed spontaneously from his UpS with-
out note or paper before him. And if the words of Mr. Porter had been aoco-
rately written down as they were uttered, and read or spoken by another person,
without his tones, and accents, and emphasis, and expression of countenance,
they would have lost more than half their force and meaning.
Considering that my own personal recollections of this remarkable man are
not more extended, I will add a ftw paragraphs in respect to him, written by the
BeT. David Elliott, D. D., who has evidently formed a very Just conce]ition of
his character.
" Those who were most familiarly acquainted with Mr. Porter agree that he
was endowed with talents of a high order. He had great aptness both in acquir-
ing and imparting knowledge. His memory was one of peculiar tenacity, ena-
bling him to retain, for practical purposes, whatever was deemed valuable by
him and worthy of preservation. This qualified him for acting with mudi
efficiency in the public Judicatories of the Church. It was there that he appeared
to the greatest advantage; and it rarely occurred that he embarked in the advo-
cacy of any measure, which he did not carry successfully through. He had a
peculiar tact in argument, and his controversial powers were successfhlly tested
on several occasions. He appears to have been qualified by nature for a dialec-
tician, and with comparatively little educational training in the rules of logic, he
evinced more than common skill in the syllogistic art. And had he enjoyed the
usual advantages of liberal study and mental discipline in early life, he would
doubtless have appeared to much greater advantage, and been entitled to a much
higher rank as a writer and controversialist.
"By his contemporaries, Mr. Porter is represented to have been a very
attractiire and fordble public speaker. Of his power in this respect, the fbllow-
ing graphic description from the pen of the Rev. Robert Johnston, frumished
the writer several years ago, will give the reader some accurate conception: —
* His qualifications as a public speaker were evidently of the first order. His
voice was dear and strong; not harsh, but musical and commanding, pos-
sessing sufficient volume to be heard distinctly by thousands assembled in the
open air. He spoke fkat, but his articulation was so distinct, and his thoughts
so clearly expressed, as to be easily understood. His was the eloquence of
nature, and it was irresistible. Prompted by Che energy of his thoughts, — the
intonations of his voice, and the action of his body, gave emphasis to his Uieme,
and held the attention of his audience entranced. I can never foiget the first
time I heard him preach. It was in the spring of 1793. He assisted Dr.
MolfiUan at a Communion. It was also a time of refreshing from the presence
of the Lord, and a very large assembly of people was present on the occasion.
He preached on the afternoon of the Sabbath, from Isaiah xl. 1, 2, — * Comibrt
ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem,
and cry unto her that her warflire is accomplished.' The assembly were seated
in a beautiful grove of young beech, gently ascending in front of the tent where
he stood. He commenced, and for two hours held that large assembly in breath-
less attention, while a torrent of sweet, celestial eloquence, poured horn his lips,
with a rapidity and pathos that dissolved a large portion of the assembly in
tears. The niildness and mi^esty of his countenance, softened by the feelings
of his own heart, and glowing with the sublimity and grandeur of his theme,
heightened'by the flickering rays of the setting sun, breaking through the boughs
of the beech trees on his face, as he spoke, oombmed with the energy of his
voice and the thrilling power of his thoughts, left on my mind, and doubtless on
that.of others, an impression of intellectual and moral greatness, whk^ I had
never before attached to any human being. Such was the originality of his
thoughts, and the eommanding power of his eloquence, that, althooc^ he often
SAICUEL POBTKH. 547
■poke two boon with a rapidity of utterance rarely equalled by paUio speiULon,
the attention of hia audience never appeared to relax.'
" Mr. Porter was diatingnished for his ready wit, which he aometimea carried
into the pulpit. In the use of rhetorical flgurea, he would oocadonally atartle
his hearers by the boldness of his positions, from which it seemed impossible
that he should be able to retreat, without iigury to the cause of religion. One
of his ministerial brethren, speaking of this trait in his manner of preaching,
remarked to the writer, that he reminded him of a man angling for fish, who
would sport with the fish at the bait, giving it line until it seemed almost beyond
his power to draw it up; but at the proper juncture would arrest it and bring it
safely to land. So he acted with his hearers. After indulging in bold salBes
of wit, and leading them into scenes of levity, calculated to induce a state of
mind adverse to religion, he never failed to bring them back to a proper tone of
feeling. If, for a moment, he provoked a smile, by a sudden change of subject
and manner, he soon restored them to seriousness, and often had them bathed
in tears. The following well authenticated anecdote may serve to illustrate this
feature of his character and style of preaching: —
" During the sessions of the General Assembly at Winchester, Ya., in the
year 1799, Mr. Porter, being present, was invited to preach. He accepted the
invitation, and took for his text, Ecclesiastes zi. 9, — ' Rejoice, 0 young man, in
thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in
the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes : but know thou, that far
all these things, God will bring thee into judgment.' In reading the text, he
stopped suddenly when he reached the last clause, without announcing it, and
commenced his discoarse. He spoke of youth as the season of enjoyment; the
period in which the animal spirits are buoyant and lively, and the whole man
fitted to participate lai^ly in the pleasures of sense. In the midst of this period
was the person spoken of in the text. He was young, in the heyday of youth;
and a man, not a child in leading-strings, under parental authority and control;
but a man in stature and age, capable of judging and acting for himself, — a
high-minded, independent, daring young man. He was a type of the whole
race of such young men, — a model, an example. And aeeording to the counsel
given to such in the text, so the speaker urged every other young man to go and
do likewise. Hence, he opened up to him the path of sensual pleasure; he
sketched, in rich and attractive colours, its gay ddighta; he invited him to enter,
and having entered, he urged him forward in his joyful career of folly and sin,
by all the arguments which his poweribl intellect could suggest, and by all the
aUurements which his vivid imagination could depict. At every step in his wild
career, he presented him with new pleasures, and caused hie soul to swell with
new and indescribable joys. With such sober earnestness and overwhelming
force did he describe the pleasures of sin, and urge young men onward in the
indulgence of their depraved appetites and passions, that many of his ministe-
rial brethren were startled and alarmed at the boldness of his positions^ and
the alluring richness of the drapery, which he threw around them; and the
hearts of the young and profligate portion of his hearers sweDed with delight.
Such an advocate they had never had before. Their triumph they ftlt to be
complete, and they were ready to go forth and proclaim that the ways of sin
were ways of pleasantness, and all its paths were patha of peace; and that to
indulge every sinM desire of their hearts was the true way to be permanently
and truly happy.
" Having thus depicted the pleasures of sin, and carried the redklesa youth
into the midst of his sensual indulgences, where he was sportmg and ravelling
in all the gaieties and extravagances of unbridled lust, the speaker anddenly
paused, and dropping his eye upon the text, recommenced reading with alow and
solemn emphasis,-^' Jlitf,'—' ah,' said he, 'this but, Is a strangOsand trouUa-
gig FkSSBmSttAR."
some little word, ftnd often obtrade^ jtaelf at a rvtj imwdcome moiiiebt '— ' But,
know thon, that for all ttieee things 66d wiU bring thee into jndgknent;' ' This/
exclaimed th^ preacher, 'is the other side of the pictare. Ton haVe Sten the
one side, and it shall now be my business to let you see the other.' He then
proceeded, with graphical skill, to present in all its terrible solemnity, the judi-
cial consequences of stt<4i a oonrse of sinAil indulgence. He spoke of the throne
of judgment; of the arrest of the criminal; of his appearance at the bar of jus-
tioe; of the searching scrutinj of the Judge, whose < eyes are as a flame of fire;*
of the publio exposure 'of the sinner's deeds of darkness; of the infliction of
God's wrath; of the horrors of a guilty consdenoe; of the flnal senttoce and
the * eyerlasting destruction ' of the condemned culprit, * from the presence of
the Lord and from the glory of his power.' The scene was one of painM inte-
rest and overwhelming solemnity. Every mind was filled with awe; and while,
with deep and- moumlbl feeling, he followed the gsy and misguided youth into
the dark regions of despair, and spoke of the agonies of his never dying soul,
and of the pierdng cries which issued from the midst of ' the flame ' in which
he was ' tormented,' the whole assembly were moved and melted into tender-
ness, and gave vent to their feelings in a gush of tears.
*^ Mr. Porter was a bold and fearless reprover of vice in all its various Ibrms.
To him it made no diffsrenoe whether it appeared in the tattered garments of
poverty, or the fitshionable and gaudy attir^, with which wealth invests its sub-
ject; he everywhere met it with rebuke, and sought to expose its deformity, that
men might be preserved ft^m its destructive power. It was not his way to minbe
reproof, or to present it in so indistinct a form as not to be seen or felt by those
for whom it was intended.
*' It is true that he had a peculiar method of doing things, and would some-
times resort to measures whieh it would have been hasardous in almost any
oliher man to have attempted: An illustration of this is ftimish^ed in the follow-
iiig letter, written by William Redick, an Elder in the Presbyterian Church at
UniontoWn, Pa., and addressed to the editor of the Presbyterian Advocate, at
Pittsbuigh, bearing date August, 1852:—
« < The Dialogue whioh appeared in your paper of the 14th ult., from the lalte
Bevi Samuel Porter, together with a brief sketch of the life of the author, natu-
rally led back my thoughts to bygone days, and awakened the memory of inci-
dents connected with the Beverend author of the Dialogue, and the Congrega-
tion of Oongruity, fmrn which fondly ^cherished neighbourhood I now have been
nia.ny years absent.
'• '"^ It occurs to my mind that it may be of interest to your readers to learn
something of the energy of character, and peculiar tact, of the author of the
liialogue for; accomplishing what but ibw others could do. For this purpose,
permit me to relate an auMdOte of him as rmxYjf as I Oan, Just as it occurred
^der my own observation, some thirty-one or thirty-two years ago.
;^< 'A beW stone tavttm honse had been built on the turnpike, Scarbsly a mile
froih the' churob; and was just opened out by the owner,' a veiy clever man.
The young fblks of th^ ne^hbourhood, many of them the children of churdi
members^ and even baptised mtaibers themseltes, had agreed to hav^e what was
gtaifettlly known as a komt-^iiwm^g, by holding a' biiil therd. ' The aqmnge-
metlts We^ all made, thb tickets distribnted, iiid the guests invited; '
'<<0n the Sabbath previous to the intended ball, this aged mihlstor, after
pishing an eloquent sermon, sitting in his old«|ilit bottom arm-chiir, (Kbr he
WIS ioo feebl^ to preadi standing; ahd for many a* long day ^t aiid preached in
th4f i6ld artn-^^ihair* elevated In «£» pttl^Ht fbr hit so6o|Qbniodati6n,') and before, dis-
^^iifg thiB oongregation, gate <)iit )the usnkl notiiDOS for the tesuing week and:
Mbfiath.'^' After sUtihg that X^rissbyteri^ Would meet the text Tuesday in
Chre^nsbargh, lad nMikiiig hi8 jma$l apppiii|iB«iit8,,luiiliei^,g»ye noUoe thti pn
the next Thmday eymiing, it w)y oi^dle Hghting, a liaU ^was tp be hdid about
Oiree-fiiiiiihJi of a mile.^m thai l^Ape. He said it wjm to be hopc4 that all the
polite young ladies and ^tlemen would attend, as it was said to be ^ plaoe
where politeness and manners oould be learned and cultiYatedy and that many
other things oould be said in favour of attending such places, which it was not
necessary for him to mention at that time. However, it was to be hoped that
as many as oould, would attend at the time named — ' next Thursday evenuig at
6arly dandle lighting !' He remarlced that, for his part, if he did not attend, the
young folks would excuse him, as it was likely he might be detained at Presby-
tery; yet, should Presbytery adjourn in time, and nothing else prevent, he
expected to attend; and should he be present, he would open the exercises of the
night, by reading a text of Scripture, singing a psalm, and offering up a prayer.
But, as the strong probability was that he oould not be in attendance, and lest
he might not, he said he would then and there read the text, the congregation
would sing a psalm, offer up a prayer and. bo dismissed. Then, with a Ml and
solemn voice, and in the most solemn, impressive manner, he read the ninth
verse of the eleventh chapter of Eoclesiastes, — ' Re}oice, 0 young man, in thy
youth, and let thine heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and Walk in the
ways of thiiie heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but, know thou, that for all
these things God will bring thee into judgment.' Then, with the same solemn,
impressive voice and manner, he announced and read the seventy-third Psalm,
' Lord, what a thoughtless wretch was I,' &c. After this was sung by the con-
gregation, he then offered up a fervent and affecting prayer; praying earnestly
for the thoughtless and gay, and for the power of God's Spirit to guard them all
flrom those vices and amusements which might lead the youthfbl mind to fHtter
away precious time, and n^lect the one thing needfhl; and then, with his solemn
benediction, the congregation was dismissed.
" ' The result was, that it produced a seriousness throughout the congregation,
that went into the community; and, notwithstanding the arrangements had all
been made, and many were anxioudy and impatiently awaiting the appobted
evening, yet none had the hardihood to think of braving the impressive reproof,
or dared to outrage the awakened moral sense of the community, and go on with
the ball. The set evening arrived and passed away, but the ball never was
held.'
** But although Mr. Porter was thus rig6rous and uncompromising in his oppo-
sition to vice, even in its most fitshionable and attractive forms, in his ordinary
intercourse with society he was highly cheerful and familiar. He abounded in
anecdote, by which he imparted animation to the social drdes in which he moved,
and which rendered him a very attractive companion. In his &mily, he was
kind and indulgent, and fbr the accommodation or relief of a firiend, he. never
considered any sacrifice too great.
" His personal piety, althoogh oonsistent, was not as highly devotional in its
type, as that of some others. This has becai attributed to his severely inteneo-
tual habits and associations, and to his constitutional vivacity. But, that he
possessed real piety, those best acquainted with him, never doubted. He him-
self did, sometimes, call in question the reality of his hope in Christ. His per-
plexity seems to have arisen flrom the fkct that he was not conscious of any
particular time in which he had experienced that change of heart, of which he
knew every one who would enter into the Kingdom of God. must be the sulf{ect.
This occasionally gave him uneasiness. But he was not without some substan-
tial grounds of encouragement. For, although he could, not mark the period of
such a change,*T>neither could he recollect any period of his liib, in which he did
not love to contemplate the character, laws, and govemmeilt, of Qod; nor in
550 FBSSBrrEBlAK.
which he did not iltid oomibrt in the holy duties of religion. From his etrfiest
yoMTs, also, he hltted and shunned the sodety of the wiohed. Bebig consdons
of this hahitnal opposition of heart to the ungodlj practices of wicked men, he
was encouraged to hope that he would not be condemned to dwell foreyer with
them in the world of woe. Accordingly, he was Tory frequently heard offering up
the prayer of Uie man after God's own heart, — ' Gather not my soul with sinners,
nor my lilb with bloody men.' And as, on the other hand, he loYcd to think of
Qod> and to hold Mowship with his people in the holy duties of religion, he
was led to indulge the hope that, through riches of grace in Christ Jesus, he
would be admitted at last to dwell with them in HeaTen. Thus did he escape
from the perplexities arising from his inability to designate the exact time in
which he had experienced the regenerating grace of God upon his heart; and he
was led to the condasion that, if his hope was not utterly groundless, he must
have been bom into the Kingdom ot God, in early youth, probably when, on his
knees at the side of his pious mother, she pour^ out her soul to God for his
donrersion and salTation. This, doubtless, was the true solution of his case.
He had the true marks of a child of God in his hatred of sin, and his love of
holiness. Theqe furnished evidence of his regeneration; and his not being able
to reooUeet the time when this occurred, could not disprove the flust."
Very respeetftdly and truly yours,
JAMES CABKAHAN.
JAMES WHITE STEPHENSON, D. D.*
1789—1882.
The parents of Jamxb Whitb Stxphxnson were of Sootoh-Irish
extraotion, and composed a part of that large body of Presbyterians that
migrated to Yirgbia and the Carolinas during the latter half of the
eighteenth century. They halted and sojourned for two or three years in
Augusta Oounty, Ya., where the subject of this sketch was bom, in the
year 1766. Shortly after his birth, they remoTod to Lanoasier District, S.
0., and settled near the old Wazhaw Ohuroh, where they remained duiiug
the rest of their lives. Though little is now known of his youthful days,
there is reason to believe, from several circumstances, that, through the
sanctified influence of a pious education, he entered upon the Christian life
at a very early period.
Where and under what instructor he had his early classioal training, can-
not now be ascertained; though there is little doubt of his having been
graduated at Mount Zion CoUege, Winnsboro', S. 0., then under the Pres-
idency of the Bey. Thomas H. M'Oaule.t This institution, howeyer, though
haying a perpetual chartor, and being fully empowered to confer degrees,
was merely an Academy of a high order.
•Sonih. Prwb. Rev. Vi.
t TuovAS Hakbu M'Oavli wm mdaatad at the OoUeg* of Few Jwatj in m4, tad two
TioiB afWr wia oTdainod and ioftoUoa Paotor of Ooatre Concregatioii, N. 0. Ho wia nnooni*
monly popolor both m a man and ao a praaoher. Ho ontond wannlv hito bif oounftiy a oanao
during the Revolntkm. and in the time of the UiYaaion wont with hla Sook to the oamn, and
WM beoide Goneial WUUam Davidaon when he foU. Sooh waa hii repatation fai the walb of
JAMES WHITE STEFHENSOK. 55I
After liaying completed his academical or collegiate ooune, he became the
Principal of a classical school near the old Wazhaw Church, and continued
his connection with it two or three years. One of his pnpils was Andrew Jack-
son, who wa9 destined in after life to the highest military and civil honours.
When the war of the BcYolution invaded South Carolina, Mr. Stephen-
son recognised his country's clum to his services, by promptly enlistiug for
its defence : he immediately gave np his school, and knew no other life than
that of a soldier till the return of Peace. With one of his brothers lie
joined the army under the command of General Sumter, and participated
in several battles, particularly those at Blackstock's, and Hanging Kock.
On one of these occasions, while the fight raged fiercely, a ball from the
enemy struck the britch of his gun and broke it, and then glancing, killed
the man that stood next to him. At another time, it became his duty in
turn to stand as sentinel at a certain place, but being indbposed that night,
a fellow soldier yolunteered to serve in his stead, and was shot dead at his
post. Thus, in two instances, was he the subject of a signal providential
preservation from death.
Sometime after the close of the war, he commenced his immediate pre-
paration for the miuistry ; and, having gone through a course of theological
study, was licensed in 1789 by the Presbytery of South Carolina; which
then embraced the entire territory of the State. Shortly after his licensure,
he accepted a call to the pastoral charge of the Bethel and Indiantown
Churches, in Williamsburg District.
A few years previous to this time, the Williamsburg Church had been
greatly distracted by the alleged doctrinal errors and unministerial conduct
of the Rev. Samuel Kennedy, a native of Ireland. The church was formed
as early as 1786, and for many years enjoyed great spiritual prosperity ; but
for some time previous to the Revolution, its prosperity had declined,
cluefly in consequence of its receiving large accessions from the North of
Ireland, in which, to say the least, spirituality was not the predominant
element. Then the church was vacant during nearly the whole period of
the war ; and the agitation and peril to which it was subjected, were most
unfavourable to a healthful tone of Christian feeling and action. Such was
the state of things when Mr. Kennedy was invited to take charge of it ;
and his ministry served only to aggravate the pre-existbg evils. Though
he was invited for the limited term of three years, yet the majority voted
to continue him after that term had expired. A considerable minority,
however, consisting of the descendants of the original founders of the church,
earnestly remonstrated against his being retained, and when they found that
their remonstrances were unavailing, they determined to devote to destruc-
iion that whioh they were unable to save from what they deemed desecra-
tion. And, according to a previous understanding, the dissatisfied party
met one morning in the month of August, 1786, with ab,out one hundred
negro men, and in a few hours the entire buildiug was rased to the ground,
and the materials removed from the spot. The pulpit was carried a dis-
tance of three miles, and concealed in a bam.
These violent proceedings, as might be expected, drew after them a train
of deplorable consequences. The minority, who had been the actors in tlua
elyfl life, thftt he wm onoe ran for the offlee of Goreinor, and ftdled in the eleotton bj a yvrj
small Toto. He had line davleal attainments, and these, in eonneetion with hii great eneigj
of ebaraeter and popalar address, marked him ovt as a suitable peison to preside orer Winnsi>
boro* C!oilege. He had the training of a eonsiderable nnmber of eminent men.
552 PBESBTTEBIAK.
work of desiractiop, wiUidrew, leaybg the migority in poiMssito of Ae
name and property of the WllliamBburg Ghnrch, apd werOf in due- tUne,
regularly organiied under the name of the Bethel Ohuroh. To the paatb^
ral charge of thb ohuroh, in connection with that of Indiantown, Mr. Ste-
phenson, then a licentiate, waa called. He wm ordained. and installed
sometime between the meetings of Synod in 1790 and 1791. Mr. Kennedy,
a shi^ort time after the schism, removed into North Carolina, where he ended
his days.
It was a high testimony to Hr. Stephenson's discretion, that he was ena-
bled 80 to demean himself in the difficult and delicate position which he
now held, as to avoid the censure, and gain the respect end confidence, not
only of his own church, but of that from which his was a secession. Thb
was the more remarkable, as the places of worship occupied by the two
bodijds were but about filby paces from each other.
On the 4th of August, 1791, Mr. Stephenson was married to Elisabeth,
daughter of Major John James, who was distinguished for some daring
feats in the Revolution. She was every way quidified for the station to
which she was thus called; but it pleased an AUwise Providence that the
union should be of short duration. She died on the 29th of July, 1798,
aged twenty-four years.
Mr. Stephenson was largely blessed in his minbtry. He was diligent in
every department of minbterial labour, and his churches grew proportion-
ally in both numbers and spirituality. At length hb attention, with that
of a number of hb people, began to be directed to the &vourable openings
in the West, and forthwith they determined on carrying the Gospel into
that almost unbroken wilderness. Accordingly, about twenty &milie8, with
their minbter, migrated to Maury County, Tenn., and jointly purchased a
large tract of laud belonging to the heirs of Gkneral Greene, of Revolu-
tionary fame.
Mr. Stephenson preached hb Farewell Dbcourse in Indbntown Church,
on the 28th of Febraary, 1808, and, on the 8d of March following, set out
on his journey to the West. On the 20th of May of the same year, he
was married to Mrs. Mary Flemming, a member of hb own church, and one
of the emigration from WilHamsburg.
In 1815, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the
]ioard of Trustees of the South Carolina College.
In hb new field of labour, he exercised hb minbtry with undiminbhed
seal and fidelity, and hb popular talents soon attracted the attention, and
secured for him the friendship, of some of the most prominent men in the
State. He possessed in a high degree the missionary spirit, and was espe-
cially intent on evangelising the poor Indbns. He possessed a naturally
vigorous physical constitution, and was rarely, if ever, prevented by ill
hodth from performing the services of the sanctuary, until he wae ;&r
advanced in life. For about a year before hb death, he wasiassbted by the
Rev. James M. AmeU, who was unanimously chosen hb sueoessor. He
died on the 6th of January, 1882, aged seventy-six, having been the pastor
of a portion of hb congregation for more than forty-two years. Hb death
was an edifying scene of Ohrbtian hope and triumph. Only one ohild,-^
a son, survived him.
. He left behind him several hundred manuscript sermons, but only two or
three of hb sermons Were ever published.
JAMES Wa(TE STEP^SKSON. 553
F&OM T&k BEY. ^(nLLIAM ILAAk.
OoLUHBZA, Tenn., lUy 18, 1867.
Ber. and dear Sir: The Rer. James White Stephenson, D. D. died seTenl
years previous to my removal to this place. The location of his church is a few
mttes West of this tovn, and I am well acquainted with several persons, who,
for many years, enjoyed his ministry. From these I have gathered the state-
ments which I am now about to communicate.
He was of medium height, and heavily built. The features were large, the
eye grey, the expression grave* He was quite unique in his appearance. When
once seen, he was apt to be remembered. Several have ^d that so distinct was
the impression of him in their minds, if they were artists, they could furnish me
with a picture, clearly showing the outward man.
His manners were grave and dignified. He was easily approached, yet some-
thing in him told you that it must be done respectfully. The kindness of the
hestrt shone forth in the countenance. He was highly respected and, much
beloved.
As a preacher. Dr. Stephenson was solid und instructive. Flights of imagina-
tion were rarely, if ever, attempted. tTnder his preaching the people became
well instructed in the leading truths of Revelation. His sermons abounded in
scriptural expressions. While his pulpit efforts were always adapted .to be
useftil, occasionally, when he became aroused by certain circumstances, he would
deliver a discourse of a highly impressive character. There was this peculiarity
in his preaching'— that, whatever was the theme of his discourse, he almost
uniformly closed with some invitation or urgent exhortation — such as, *' Turn
ye, turn ye, why will ye die ?'' ** Ho every one that thirsteth, come ye to the
waters,^' Ac.
Dr. Stephenson was a consistent Ohristian. He evidently aimed to practise
what he preached. His life spoke for God as well as his lips. He was doubt-
less well prepared for death. His last illness was brief, and unexpectedly to
himself, if not to others* his spirit left its earthly tenement.
Very respectfully,
WILLIAM MAOK.
FROM THE REY. JAMES HOLMES, D. D.,
pBonasoB ur thx wist tsxxsssm ooluox.
Jaoksox, Tenn., June 26, 1867.
Dear Sir: Nearly the third of a century having passed since I saw Dr.
Stephenson, and never havmg enjoyed an intimate acquaintance with him, I feel
quite inadequate to write any thing that shall even seem to do Justice to his
character. At intervals I spent several nights with him on my missionary
agency, and on one occasion had the privily of accompanying him to his church
and of hearing him preach. His white locks and very patriarchal appearance are
distinctly before my eye. His solemn uid intelligent countenance, dignified
bearing, and conciliatory manners, could not fail to leave a favourable impression.
Having read of the substantial character of the colonists who chose him as their
spiritual guide in their new home, I was prepared to meet a man of mark, and
such decidedly I found him to be. Time has shown the kind and degree of infiu*^
ence exerted by him in the formation of the " Frierson settlement"^-^a name by
which that community has ever been designated. Few churches in the State
have so uniformly maintained an enviable notoriety, particularly for the fiiithful
private and public instruction of the blacks. An enduring record ought to be
Vol. m. 70
664 FRESBTTEBIAir.
m*do of Ood'8 iBTonr to that Ohristian colony, as veil a^ of the exalted worth
of the man who* was chiefly concerned in giring it its earlj religions direction.
Very respectfblly,
JAMES HOLMES.
WILLIAM PAXTON, D. D.
1790— 1845,
FROM THE BEY. DAYIB MoCONAUGHY, D. D.
WAMmvKonoM, Pa., March 29, 1860.
Bey. and dear Brother : I knew the venerable man concerning whom yon
inquire, very intimately, and esteemed and loved him very much ; and it is
no sdfdenial to me to comply with your request, in fordshing you with a
brief sketch of his life and character.
William Paxton was bom April 1, 1760, in Lancaster County, Pa.
His &ther was a respectable farmer, distinguished not so much by wealth,
as by integrity of character, soundness of thought, and practical good
sense. These mental attributes were the common characteristic of his
fiimily. William, the subject of this sketoh, devoted hb early life to agri-
cultural employments. It was, however, somewhat identified with the
struggles of our country for her independence. He served in two compa-
nies, at different times, during the Bevolutionary war, b (me of which he
was present and participated in the battle of Trenton. Subsequently, his
love of knowledge induced him to seek the advantages of a liberal edncar
tion ; and his love of Ood and man constrained him to consecrate all to the
work of the Gospel ministry. He commenced his preparatory course when
about twenty-four years of age ; and prosecuted his classical, scientific and
theological studies, chiefly at the Straaburg Academy, near Lancaster Oity,
Fa., under the direction of the Bev. Nathaniel W. Sample,* then Pastor of
the Congregations of Lancaster and Middle Octorora. He had not the
advantages of a collegiate education ; but, with a mature mind and diligent
study, he made the needful acquisitions, and laid a foundation upon which
he accumulated a more than ordinary amount of knowledge, literary, scien-
tific and theological, as also of that various and more general acquirement
which gives completeness to the highly cultivated mind. He wad taken
under the care of the Newcastle Presbytery, April 29, 1780 ; and, having
passed, with great credit, through tbe several trials assigned him, he was
licensed by that Presbytery, on the 8th of April, 1790, as a candidate<for
the Gospel ministry. On the 6th of October following, he was appointed
• Kathahibl Wblihabd Sampls wm bom &t PaMh Bottom, York Ooimtyj Fa., In 176S.
Hii gnndparonti oame Arom Irelaodj Mid aettlad In the plaee whore he wia boom. He pnnaed
hii eeedemiflal stndiea under the direetion of the Her. Bobert Smith of Peqne^. nnd grednnted
at Prineeton in 1776. He itndied ThatAogj xmdv the Rer. Mr. Foeter, of Upper Oetoroia,
and WM U^enaed to preaeh hj the Neweaetle Preibyteiy in 1779. Haring fopplied the Cfaueh
at St. George- s, De., Ibriix months, and deeUnedan liiTitaaon tobeoome lb MatoTi heaoeepted
a eell from the Chnroh in Leaeoek, in eonneetion with that of Laneeeter and Middle Oetoranu
Hif peatoral relation to these Ohorohes oontinned iinrty jean, and was AsMlVed by Presbjrteiyy
September 26^ 1821. He died at StrMboxg, Pa.> Aogttt 26, 18S4y aged eightr-thxee yeais.
WILLIAM PAZTOK. 555
Bt&ted supply to Ao Chnrohoi of West Nottisgham and Little Britain. In
this serrioe he continued more than six months, and receiyed a call from
those Congregations to become their Pastor. This, after mature considera-
tion, he declined. In his probationary visitation and preaching to the
Churches, he accepted an invitation to preach to the Congregations of Lower
Marsh Creek and Toms Creeic, in the Carlisle Presbytery. They had
recently become vacant by the transfer' of the Bev. John McKnight, their
late Pastor, to the Collegiate Presbyterian Churches in the city of New
York. Mr. Paxton's services were so acceptable to those vacant congre-
gations, that they promptly and unanimously gave him a call to become
their Pastor. It is no slender proof of his promising character and talents,
that he was chosen by that respectable and intelligent people, as the suc-
cessor of one who was so deservedly popular in the churches generally, and
who stood so high in the esteem and affections of the Congregation which
had most reluctantly parted with him. Mr. Pazton accepted their call on
the 4th of April, 1792, and was accordingly dismissed from the Presbytery
of Newcastle, to put himself under the care of the Presbytery of Carlisle.
This took effect on the 7th of June, 1792; and on the 8d of October fol-
lowing, he was, by that Presbytery, ordained to the work of the Gh)spel
ministry^ and installed as Pastor of the Churches of Lower Marsh Creek
and Toms Creek.
On the 20th of January, 1794, he was united in marriage with Miss Jane
Dunlop, daughter of Col. James Dunlop, then residing near Shippensburg,
Cumberland County, Pa. This fiimily was among the most respectable in
that community ; and she who became his wife was to him a most valuable
acquisition. She was, by her piety, intelligence, and other important
accomplishments, eminently adapted to be a pastor's wife, and to conciliate
the &vour and respect of those with whom she was thus associated. In the
knowledge of domestic and all like matters, having been well trained, she
proved to be a very efficient auxiliary in making the most of a small salary
for the support and comfort of her &mily, and for the numerous demands
made upon the hospitality of her home by many visitors. She still sur-
vives, greatly honoured and beloved.
To the united congregations composing his charge, he ministered with
great acceptance and usefulness for several years, until Lower Marsh Creek
Congregation became desirous to have his entire pastoral labours. To this
Toms Creek submitted with deep regret ; and from that time until the resig-
nation of his charge, a few years before his death, his labours were devoted
'to Marsh Creek alone. I may well say — devoted ; for I think I have known
no pastor whose labours among his people were so continuous and uninter-
rupted as his. Yery rarely was he absent from the public duties of the
Babbath, unless to assist a brother in the administration of the Lord's
Supper, and in one or two instances, when, by sickness, he was, for a short
time, unable to render his ordinary serviees. Although afflicted often by a
chronic bilious diarrhoea, yet he possessed such a degree of general heidth
as made him competent to fulfil with great punctuality his various labours,
through an unusually long term of ministerial service, amounting to fifty-
three years. Of Marsh Creek Congregation he wss Pastor forty-nine years ;
and he continued to supply them occasionally, until they obtained their
present pastor, so that it may be said that that Church was favoured with
his ministerial services for more than half a century. His ministrations
M6 ;?,BX88TTBmAllv
were always eharaeteriiediVy deeided.al)Oiftj,aad great fiddtfoln^tf h By- his
congregation they were b]|^y appreciated^ and thdr «ttaehment to, and
estimation of>. him Bnff(Brf4 no abatement. To relinqnidi him as their
Pastor was yery nnwdioome, eyen when his bodily infirmities rendered it
not Only expedient bnt absolutely ni^sessary. <
In 1826, the degree of Pootor of Divinity was oonferred upon him by
Dickinson GoUege.
In person, Dr. Paxton was large,-Mrix feet in height, and the whole frame
in due proportion, — ^foll, bat not corpulent. His features, without much
of what is usually denominated beauty, were open, regular, well deyeloped,
and expressive of benignity and intelUgence. His mind was strong, yigor-
ous and well balanced. Each &culty seemed to haye its appropriate
deyelopment. Warmth of affection, a delicate sensibility, and chaste
imagination, were associated with uncommon power of discrimination, and a
talent for profound research. None were less disposed than he to rest con-
tented with an undefined and superficial knowledge of things. On meta-
physical subjects he was thoroughly at home, thongh he rarely introduced
any thing of this kind into the pulpit. He was, howeyer, fond of holding
philosophioal discussions, and he often had the opportunity of doing so,
with the Bey. John BladL,^ Pastor of an adjoining congregation, in whom
he found a kindred spirit, and who was a man of much more than ordinary
intellect.
Dr. Paxton possessed a high degree of critical talent, which he employed
in the composition of his sermons, not for literary display, but to asoer^
tun and present to his hearers the predse import of the passage that
formed the theme of his discourse.
As a preacher, he was highly interesting and acceptable. His visits to
neighbouring churches were always speciidly welcome. His sermons were
distinguished for appropriate and well digested thought, natural and lucid
arrangement, and thorough discussion. Far from bei];ig dry and merely
intellectual, they were lively and impressive; and a well regulated imagina-
tion often added force and beauty to his scriptural illustrations. His
habits, which were intensely studious, enabled him to bring forth from his
treasures, in due season, *Vthbg8 new and old." In preparation for his
public services he was conscientiously careful and punctoal. His own
good sense and piety, a practical conviction of what he owed to his people,
the awful importance of the cause to which, he was consecrated, with the
* JoKH BziAOK WM ft ]iatiT« of Soutli Oaiolinfty and wm gndnatad at th« OolleM of Kew
Jtney in Saptomber, 1771> haying antarad tha Jvnlor dan Mlf advanaad, in May of tba pra-
aading yaar. Ha waa Uoaiaaad to praaah hj iha Plraal^Ttaiy of Donanl, (wtobar 14, 1778, and
on tha SSd of Jnna, 177^ a oall waa preaantad to tha Freal^ytaiT for ua ainiatarial labooia from
tha Oonnagation of Uppar Maab Oraak in York Govnty. Ba?ing aaoaptad thii oall, ha waa
otdainad and inataUad tha Pnator of that Ohnroh, Angnaft 16, 1776. In 1786, hat, with othai^
waa lat off to fonn tha Preabytanr of Oariida. Jn oonaaqnanea of aoma diiBooltiaa in hia eon-
nag^tton, ha appliad to tha PrMbytaiy on tha 10th of April, 179S, to ha?a Aha paatoriU rela-
wm <UiaolTad. Soma anangamant, howoTar, anbaaqaendy tocA ptaM, whidh lad him to with-
diaw hii applieatloni But on tha 6th of Daoambar, 1798, ha tanawad tha reqnaat, and waa
aaaofdinsiy rtleaaad firam hia aham on tha 10th of April, 1704. From thii tima tiU 1800, ha
axardaad nil miniitnr ahiafly in a Aaftinnad Dntoh Congratttion, naar Himtaratown, in Adama
Ooonty. On tha 0th of Oatobar, 1800, ha obtainad a dlaiflJation tnm Oariida Prapbytaiy, to
aonnaot himaalf with tha Praabytaiy of IMMona; and ha aftarwaidabaaama a atatad ■apply to
tha OcHDgregationa of Unity and Oraanaborg, in whiah relation ha oontinnad until April 32,
1803, whan ha dadlnad larTing tham any longer, and obtainad laara to traTd within tha
bonnda of tha Preabytaiy. Ha diad Angnat 16, 1803, in tha axardaa of a triunphant ftifh.
Ha pomaivad a hig|i oidar of talant, and waa aq^MlaUy fond of philoiophioal diaqnidtional Ha
mbfiahad a Diieoviaa on Pnlmody, in reply to the Ber. Pr. John Andenon of the Anodata
Ohoxdi.
WILLIAM PAXTON. 557
correspoDding reBponaibilitiefl, did not allow Um to serre Ood and his
Ohnroh with that whioh ooat him little or nothing, ffis duty had his heart,
his time, and his best efforts ; and it was not stnmge that he was hold by
his people in almost unriyalled estimation. His manner of preaching was
what Ib nsnally denominated extempore; bnt the matter was the result
of ni&tnre thought and exact preparation. His method was, after havbg
selected and thoroaghlj examined his subject, to reduce it to a pretty full
outline, occupying usually a folded sheet of letter paper. This, by careful
meditation, he thoroughly possessed himself of, and thus was able to pre-
sent it to his hearers wiUi accuracy and fulness. I am not aware that he
oyer used, in the delivery of hb sermons from the pulpit, eyen this summary
outline. In manner, he was solemn, dignified, commanding, graceful, with-
out any theatric effort, and with only those gestures to whioh his feelings
naturally prompted him.
As a pastor, he was affectionate and faithful. In the exercise of church
discipline, he was strict and conscientious, yet considerate and wise. A
bodily affliction already referred to, rendered his family yisitations less fre-
quent than his own wishes and those of his charge would have made thom ;
but still they were performed in good season and measure.
His habits were more Uian ordinarily domestic^ This resulted partly
from loye of retirement and study^ partly from peculiar affection for his
family, and partly also from the physical malady before mentioned, which
required indispensably a strict regard to diet, and great regularity in all
his habits. This was a reason why he felt obliged to deny himself, for the
most part, an attendance upon the higher judicatories of the Church.
Very few whose presence, counsels, and influence were so desirable, were
present so seldom at the meetings of Synod ; and with the (General Assem-
bly I believe he never met more than once or twice. But he was eminently
social in his disposition, and was fond of the sooiety of his brethren ; and
no one could enjoy the hospitalities of his house for ever so brief a period,
without having the visit associated with many agreeable recollections.
As a husband and a father he was peculiarly affectionate. Some thought
that he carried this to excess, especially as respected his children in their
earlier years ; but if so, still, under the favour of Gh>d, there was a control-
ling propitious influence, which gave the parents the elevated graufication
of seeing their children, in mature life, sober-ndinded, prudent, honourable,
and respected members of the Christian Church. Of those who lived to
maturity there were four, — ^two sons and two daughters. The daughters
early formed honourable matrimonial alliances, and had children, of whom
I have no special knowledge. It pleased a sovereign Ood to rismove both
those daughters by death, before they had seen the midday of life. Of the
sons, the elder only. Col. James D. Paxton, now survives, and he alone
survived their common father. He is a highly honourable and respected
gentleman, living in Adams County, Pa. The younger son early com-
menced a literary course, and, after due preparation, became an eminent
physician, distinguished for his piety, as well as hb professional skilL
Many years since, hb labours on earth termmated. He left a widow, — a
lady highly respeotablie, and one son, — an educated youth of very fidr pro-
mbe, now a student of law.
Dr. Paxton was an eminently modest man, and little dbposed to seek
that dbtinction to which he might have attained, and which tiioy who were
g58 FBESBTTBBIAN.
most oompeienfc to judge, thought he daserred. Afl an illiutraiioii of this,
I may mention his unwillingness to publish any of his sermons, or other
literary produotions. That such pubHoations would have been honourable
to himself, and a benefit to the world, no one doubts who knew him : yet I
know not that he oyer yielded to the wishes of his friends in thb respect in
a single instance. But his memory is deeply and affectionately embalmed
in many pious hearts, and not least in those of his fellow-labourers, who
were fayoured to enjoy his society and friendship, and to hear him conyerse
and preach in his own peculiarly interesting and striking manner. After an
unusually long and faiUifnl ministry, being enfeebled by age, and especially
by a seyere injury occasioned by a fiiU, he resigned his pastoral charge,
between whom and himself there had always existed a strong affection.
This took plac9 ou the 19th of October, 1841. His few remaining years
were attended by considerable affliction, but cheered by the consolations
of the Oospel, and an unabated desire to do good. He suffered much from
a seyere rheumatic affection ; his eyesight became dim, which depriyed him
of one of his greatest pleasures : he enjoyed yery much hearing others read
his &yourite authors, but the Holy Scriptures were his chief delight. He
took great pleasure in explaining and commenting on the sacred text. His
conyersations and lectures on religious subjects were as beautiful, and lucid
and methodical, as in his best days ; and, to the last, his greatest delight was
to bstruct those around him, and recommend the reli^on of Jesus, and
persuade them to embrace that Sayiour, whom he had found so precious in
his long pilgrimage. Although for some time unable to leayehis arm-duur,
he attended regularly to family worship, morning and eyening, to the last
day of his life. He retired at night feeling weaker than usual ; he slept,
but about the middle of the night, a person who was sleeping in the room
to take care of him, was awakened by a slight noise or moyement: he went
immediately to his bedside, but found him unable to speak. The family
were summoned ; he remained speechless without pain for two days ; and
then passed away so quietiy that some persons in the same room Imew not
that death had entered there, and that a "freed spirit had winged its flight
to Heayen." This was on the 16th of April, 1846, and in the eighty-sixth
year of hb age. A few months before his death, I saw. and oonyersed with
him for a short time. His manly form was sadly changed, and his mind,
especially his memory, had lost much of its former yigour ; but still he was
majestic eyen in ruin. The sky, though clouded, yet by occasional open-
ings, still reyealed the attributes of a superior mind, and the workings of a
yigorous and eleyated frith.
With great and affectionate regard, yours,
DAVID McOONAUGHT.
ROBERT GATHCART. 560
ROBERT CATHCART, D. D,
1790—1849.
FROM THE RET. DANIEL H. EMERSON.
York, Jamutiy 18, 1860.
Bev. and dear Sir : I knew Dr. Oathcart as intimately as any son can
know a father. I visited him every week during nearly five years, unless
prevented by siokness; and, with the best opportunities for becoming
acquainted with his character, my deliberate judgment Lb that he was among
the purest and best of our American clergymen. His portrait hangs before
me in the parsonage which I occupy, — a parsonage which his personal influ-
ence, foresight, and energy, erected; and as I gase upon the calm majesty
of that face and form, I recognise in it those noble qualities which, through
Divine grace, rendered him so useful here, and which, I doubt not, are
tnatured into qualities stUl more exalted in a better world.
BoBXBT Oathoa&t, a son of Alexander and Mary Oathcart, was bom in
November, 1769,' in the County of Londonderry, near the town of Oole-
raine, Ireland, where he studied with diligence, and hid the foundation of
that accurate classical and general knowledge, for which he was, through life,
distinguished. He aflterwa^ attended the Oollege of Glasgow for three ses-
sions, in different years, and was there engaged in studying the sciences and
Divinity. He was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of
Route, and laboured for several years within their bounds ; during which
he preached for every minister of that Body, all of whom he Imew intimately,
and all of whom died before him. He came to the United States in 1790,
and was cordially received by the Presbytery of Philadelphia. It was but
the year before, (1789,) that the first meeting of the General Assembly was
held ; and the fathers of that Assembly were the prominent men of the
Presbytery of Philadelphia. They immediately took this stranger by the
hand, welcomed him to their field of labour, inttodnced him to their
churches, and appointed him to preach in their vacant congregations ; and
never did he forget this kindness, or lose his feelings of regard for these his
early friends. While a member of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, he
received a call to settle at Oape May, which, however, he declined, on
account of the supposed unhealthiness of the situation. He subsequently
accepted a call fiN>m the united Churches of York and Hopewell, and in
October, 1798, was ordained and installed Pastor of the two Congregations,
by the Presbytery of Carlisle.
Dr. Cathcart retained his connection with the Hopewell Congregation,
until 1886, — a period of forty-two years, when, on account of his increasing
infirmities, he resigned that part of his charge. The Hopewell Congrega-
tion was fifteen mUes distant from York, — the Doctor's residence ; and he
preached in York and Hopewell on alternate Sabbaths; and it is quite
remarkable that he was able to fulfil his appointments every Sabbath save
one^ for forty-two years. He retained his connection with the Church in
York tiU 1889.
In Hopewell he was in the habit of visiting every &mily in his congrega-
tion one year, and oateohisbg old and young the next ; and this he continued
^60 PpEUBSBTTEftlAV.,
to do for many yean* He was also aocnatomed to lecture to both his oos-
gregationa ; aod in the ooorse of bis minisiiy, he went through the whole
of the book of Psalms, one or more of the Gospels, the whole of the Bpistle
to Uie Eomans, thd Epistle ^e^the Hebrews, addpiiris oiPlieYeral of the other
Epistles. Thb he considered as the most profitable mode of instructing the
people in all the doctrines of the Scriptures; and he was surprised that,
although so reasonable in itsdf, and so often recommended by the General
Assembly, it was so little practised by the ministers of this land. His plan
of catechetical instruction wss introduced among his people in York also,
and in both places was followed with equally &Yourable results.
Dr. Gatbcart pursued his labours with unwearied diligence till the waning
of his physical fiiculties obliged him to desist. For the last year or two of
his life, he was confined to his house, and for a few of the last weeks, to his
bed. For a year or more he suffered greatly from a singular sensation in
his head, as if the most terrible storm were spending its violence there ; and
yet he was noyer heard to complain. The day before his death, it was
remarked by one of his family that he was unusually well; and but a
few moments before that event, he was conversing with his usual cheerful-
ness and vivacity, when suddenly he spoke to his daughter ; aind, on hasten-
ing to him, she found he was not, for God had taken him. Thus he died
without a struggle, on the evening of the 10th of October, 1840, at the
advanced age ot ninety years.
Dr. Oathcart waa married in 1706 to Susannah Latimer of the State of
Delaware. They had seven children, five of whom (two daughters and
three sons) survived him. One of his sona practised medicine, the other
two engaged in mercantile pursuits. Mra. Cathcart died in Uie year 1810.
Dr. Oathcart was remarkable for his strict attention to busineaa — rhia
regularity and punctuality in the discharge of his dutiea. In describing
his punctuality, one of his friends has remarked, — ^' He was as regular as
the sun in the heavens : when the dock struck the hour of an appointment,
we were certain the Doctor was there." And often has he been heard to
say, when others failed of their appobtments, — ^' Punctuality, if not a
Ohrbtian grace, is certainly a great moral virtue.'* His punctuality was
manifested in nothing more strikingly than in his attendance on aU the
judicatories of the Church. For more than forty years, he was but once
absent from the meeting of the Synod of Philadelphiai and that was occa-
sioned by sickness. He attended the meetings of the (General Assembly,
as a Gommiaaioner from his Presbytery, for nearly thirty years in succes-
sion, and was one of its Clerks for nearly twenty ; and so uniformly was he
present in the Assembly, that his early friend, Dr. Green, pleasantly
remarked to him, — ** Brother Cathcart, you are always here; your Presby-
tery must have elected you as their standing representative.*^
While a member of the General Assembly, he was sent as a delegate to
the General Association of Connecticut, with which Body he was greatly
delighted. He admired the simplicity of its formsi the spirituality of its
exercises, the brotherly love prevailing among its members ; an4 thought
that some of the usages of the ecdesiasUcal bodies in New England might
be beneficially adopted by the lovers of Presbyterianism. During this visit,
he formed a friendly acquaintance with Dr. Dwight, and others, cdT whieh he
ever afterwards spoke with great interest.
BOBBBT OATHCABT. gGl
The degree of :Dootor of Divinity was oonftrred npon him, in 1816, by
Queens College, New Bninswiek, N. J. He was a Trustee of DiokiDsoti
College, Carlisle, for thirty years, and attended all their Commeneements
during that period. About the year 1808, he obtained from Dioldnson
CoUege the degree of Dootor of Divinity for the Key. Thomas Seott, the
author of the Commentary on the Scriptures, and for two or three other
clergymen of acknowledged merit in Great Britain. The great modesty
of Mr. Soott would not permit him to use this title, in connection with any
of his works, and, accordingly, it is not recognised in the early English edi-
tions of his Commentary. On the second day after he received Dr. Cathcart's
letter, informing him of the honour conferred on him by his friends in
America, he wrote him a most interesting reply of seven or dght pages ; in
which he begs Dr. Cathcart to present his Christian respects to all those
who had concurred with him in procuring the diploma ; but adds that he is
not certain whether he can with propriety make use of it, as this might
appear presumption in one who was never educated at any College, except
that of St, Davids who, in following his flocks, sought liter wisdom. In
the diploma, he was designated as *^ Chaplain of the Look Hospital ; "— -
conoeming which he observes,^-" My brethren in America mistake my pre-
sent situation. It is true I was Chaplain of the Lock Hospital for nearly
eighteen years ; but my plain, uncommonly plain, manner of preaching pre-
vented me from being useful there, and I now preach in one of the smallest
churches in England; but when the weather is good, the church is full and
overflowing ; and I have here a better opportunity of attempting to do
good, than when in the city of London."
Dr. Cathcart was a great admirer of Scott, and agreed with him substan-
tially in his theological views. He was in the habit of duly reading at
least two chapters in the Bible in connection with Scott's Commentary ;
and not unfrequently he read many chapters in a day, with all the notes and
observations. *' Thus/' he said,^— **I lay a good foundation each mornings
in the word of God, and I can then go on and build upon this foundation
all the general reading I please." His reading, particularly for the last
twelve years of his life, during which he had not the labour of a pastoral
charge, was immense. Having a strong constitution, unimpaired eyesight,
an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and a wonderfully retentive memory, he
would read every thing valuable within his reach, and would delight his
friends with the stores of information which he would pour forth, during a
social interview. This habit of reading and of constantly exercising his
mental powers continued to the last moment of life, and afforded him
amusement during a confinement which, to many, would have seemed intol-
erable.
As a preacher. Dr. Cathcart was commonly didactic, and to a great extent
doctrinal. He generally preached to his Hopewell Congr^ation without a
manuscript ; and in the same manner frequently preached, when occupying
the pulpits of his brethren in Philadelphia and elsewhere. During the
meeting of the Assembly at Philadelphia, he always preached once for the
Bev. Dr. Wilson ; and his form is vividly remembered by those who were
children there thirty or forty years ago. At this season, he enjoyed fra-
ternal counsel with such menas Nisbet, Wilson, Green, Bodgers, MiUedoler,
and McSjught; and from these deli^tfnl interviews he always returned
Vol. HL 71
562 FRBSBTTBBIAK.
with a gladdened epirit, to oheer hie flook with the intelligenee he had ed-
looted reepeoting the progress of the Eliiigdom of the Bedeemer.
One subject that gave him no litftle annoyanoe was the exceeding ease
with which the pastonl relation was broken np in this country. " Why, —
in Ireland," he would often say, " the pastoral relation is considered as
sacred and binding as the marriage relation." And on this subject he some-
times quoted a remark of the celebrated and witty Dr. Nisbet. Dr. Oath-
cart had expressed the hope that the situation of some young minister would
now be a permanent one. "Permanent, Sir," exclaimed Dr. Nisbet, "let
me tell you. Sir, there b nothing permanent in this country but revobt'
turn!'' To the credit of Dr. Oaihcart, however, it may be said that the
idea of permanency in the pastoral relation was fully realised in his own
case; for he retained the pastoral charge of the Hopewell Ohuroh forty-two
yean, and that of the Church in York, forty-four. He resigned his latter
charge in 1887. But after that, he occasionally preached, and frequently
took part b the services of the sanctuary, espedidly on sacramental occa-
sions.
Dr. Gathcart published a Sermon on the death of the Bev. Dr. David-
son, 1812.
Dr. Cathcart was remarkable for a truly philanthropic spirit To the
various benevolent Sodeties of the day, he contributed with alacrity and
liberality. In the Temperance reformation, as soon as convinced of its
utility, he took an active part, and was among the first of the older oitiiens
of the community in which he Uved, to take a high stand on this subject,
and to maintain it in all situations. He was distinguished aUio Ibr his pub-
lic spirit, for his seal in the cause of education, and hb active co-operation
in all measures which had a tendency to benefit hb fellow-oitbens. His
interest in the young continued to the last ; and when it might have been
supposed that almost a hundred winters would have chilled the current of
genial feeling, it was delightful still to find the greenness of youth beneath
the snows of age, and the freshness of boyhood mingling with hb maturity
of experience and wisdom.
I remain yours in the (Gospel,
DAIOBL H. BMEBSOK.
WILLIAM HILL. 5^3
WILLIAM HILL, D. D •
1790—1862.
WiLLiAH Hill, the bob of Joseph and Joanna (Read) Hill, was born
in Onmberland County, Ya., on the 8d of March, 1760. His ancestors
were from England. He lost his &ther when he was five yean old ; and,
after the lapse of a few years, his mother gaye him a step&ther in Mr.
Daniel Allen, &ther of the Bey. Oarey Allen,t and an elder in the Pres-
byterian Ohnrch in Gomberland Connty, at that time under the pastoral
care of the Bey. (afterwards Dr.) Samuel Stanhope Smith. At the age of
eleven, he lost hb mother, who seems to have been a devout and exemplary
Christian, and to have made impressions upon the mind of her son in &vour
of a religious lifa, that had a powerful influence in ultimately determining
his character. One year previous to this, he was placed under the tuition
of Mr. (afterwards Bev.) Druxy Lacy, who, for three years, was employed
by Mr. Allen as a teacher in his fiunily. After his mother's death, he was
placed under the guardianship of one who cared little for religion, and under
whose influence he soon lost his serious impressions, and became absorbed,
to a great extent, in the pleasures of £uhionable life.
This habit of carelessness, however, was not destined to be of long con*
tinuance. In 1786, he entered Hampden Sidney College, then under the
Presidency of the Bev. John Blair Smith. So low was the state of religion
in the College at that time, that there was not a student who evinced any
regard for it, nor one who was known to possess a Bible. During the early
part of his collegiate course, he endeavoured to banish all thoughts of reli-
gion, and indulged freely in the vices common to his ungodly associates ;
but even then he had his moments of reflection, when he was haunted by
the remembrance of his mother's counsels and prayers. Nearly two years
elapsed, after he entered College, before his character seemed to undergo a
om Dr. Hm.— PnsK Quart. B«t., 1863.— Footo'i Skttohat of Ya., 2d. 8«ri«t.
' Allsh wm bom in Oumberiaiicl Ooimty, Ya., In April, 1767. In aariy life. Mid
fe, bo WM xomarkablo Ibr * kindly dinotition, ond * gnat proponrity to drolloiy.
•M8.ftom]
t Oabit a
throngb lifo, _^ , ^ «---«-
without Moming to bo awaro of it. At tbo age o^abont lOTonteonT immSdtatoly after hii reoo-
TOTT ftom a Tiolent attaok of typhni ferer, wbieh waa inppooed to hare m tkt erip^ed bii ooutl-
tation aa to render Mm nnflt for aotlTo labour, he oommenoed a ooane of itody at Hampden Sid-
ney, with a Tiew to enter one of the profeiriona. While at home dniing a Taeation in the
antamn of 1787, the Rot. Hope Hull, a diatingniahed Methoditt olergynan, preaohed in the
neighbourhood with great power, and young Allen beeame lo deeply alTeoted by the diieouae
that he aetually fell proitrate on the floor. Before he roae upon bia ftet, he belioTod that ho
yielded up tho rebellion of hii heart, and beoame a new oreatnre in Ohiiit Jeans. In Januaiy,
1789, he waa reoeired by the Hanorer Presbytery as a oaadidate for tbo Gospel ministry, and
after going through one unsiiesesiftil examination before the Presby teiy, was examined a seoond
time, and lioensed to preaoh on tbo 8th of May. 1790. He passed the suooeedlng summer as a
missionaxy in the oounties along the Carolina line. In I79I9 he engaged in another mission,
under the direotlon of the Oommlsdon of 8ynod» in that part of Yiiglnia wbieh is now embraoed
in the State of Kentnofar*'— an oxoeedlnKiy dii&oult and nasaidousi but not unsuooessflnl, enter-
prise. On the 31st of April, 179S9 a eall was made out for him by a small oongregation oon-
sisting of families who had settled on SilTor Greek and Paint Creek,— firom Yiiginia. Imme-
diately after this, ho returned to Ylrglnia, but soon went baek to Kentneky, and resumed Us
work as a missionaiy. In the autumn of 1798, we And him in Yirginia again, attending a
meeting of Presl^yteiy t bat in the spring of 1794, he made a flnal remoTo to Kentudiy. On
ihollthof Ootober following, he was or&faied and installed Pastor of the Churehesof SUrer
Creek and Paint Creek, alter he had kept the eall in his hands two yean. Shortly after his
settlement, he took a serera sold, in eonseunenoe of preaohing in a erowded room, wldeh brought
on a oonsumption of whloh he died on the 6th of August, 1796, at the eariy age of twenty-
oigfat. With great natural eeeantridty he oombined a laige measure of Christian benoTolenoe,
and a glowing leal in his Master s caase.
ndioil ohftDge. After his mind had, for aome timey been tamed inward
npon itself in silent and anziona thonght, he retired to a aeoliided spot,
where he gave vent to the agony of hia spirit in earnest ories for the Dirine
meroy, and was enabled, as he believed, to deyote himself without reserve
to the service of God. Shortly after, two or three other young men eon-
neoted with the College experienced a similar change of views and feelings,
and associated themselves with him in a private devotional service, which, as
it became known, excited the most bitter opposition from their fellow stndents,
and even drew forth threats of vengeance^ unless it were discontinued.
This brought the matter to the ears of the President, who assured them not
only that they should be protected m their rights, but that they should have
the privilege of holding their meeting in Us parlour, and that .he would
himself be present and assist in conducting it. A revival of religion now
commenced, which soon included among its subjects half of the students in
Gollege. One of the most remarkable cases of hopeful conversion was that
of Nash Legrand,* then a resident graduate, who passed from a state of
absolute profligacy to a joyful confidence in the Saviour, and ultimately to
a highly respectable standing in the ministry of the Qospel. The revival
extended into neighbouring churches, and then into those which were more
remote, and was more extensive and powerful than had been experienced in
Virginia nnce the days of President Davies.
It was during the summer of 1787 that young Hill made a public pro-
fession of religion. He graduated at Hampden Sidney College in 1788 ;
and shortiy after commenced the study of Theology under the direction of
President Smith. He was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery
of Hanover, July 10, 1790. For the two years immediately succeeding his
licensure, he acted as a missionary, under the commission it Synod, in the
lower counties of Yirginia, as for down as the Chesapeake Bay, and through
the upper counties to the Blue Bidge, from Tennessee to Marylimd, and
especially in the counties in the lower part of the Yalley;
In October, 1702, Mr. Hill was married to Nancy, daughter of Colonel
William Morton, of Charlotte County, Ya. They lived together iiixty-one
years,— Mrs. Hill having died on the 26tii of May, 1861. They had two
children, — ^both of them daughters.
Immediately after his licensure, Mr. Hill was mvited ta take charge of
the congregations which had been under the care of President Smith; but
he declLaed their call, and, after acting for two years as a missionary, settled
* Nabk LBeaAvs wm » dafoeiiduit of B.ja$pamtoia who lottlad upon Jamot RItw« »t m—^cMw
town, a fnr mflM sbovo Blolmioiid, tbo laUor port of tho MTontooBth oentoiy. Hb fiOhor,
Potor Logimad, remoTod to Prinoo iBdwtid Ooimty, uid Mttlod within two mllai of Fwnp^m
SidnoT OoUcfo. flif mothor wm liftor to Colonei John Naih of Prinoo Bdwmid County, and
WM diittnciifihod oUko tu her MOompUfhmonti and ploty. When the xovifal oomoonood fai
Hompdon Sidney OollMe, jonnc Legnad wm proeeonting hii ftodlei piepemtoiy to the pnetlae
of medidnei hnt the ebeoce wUeh then took pinoe in hig ehncMter g»Te a new direetlon elio to
the pmpuecj of hif life. xAving sride his medioel hookii he oommenoed the itiuhr of Theology
under the direotion of Dr. Smith, and oo t£e 36th of April, 1789, he wm lioMMod by the Hmi-
OTor Preel^Tterj to preeeh the Ooepel. In April, 1790, he wu appointed a mialobaxy bj the
Oommbrion of Stum, and Inbonred in thni wgmAtj my ■uaeeMfally ftom Jvne tiU Oetoher,
in aeren or elglit different ooontiea in Ylivinin. Intheantonmof thalyearyheoonunenoedhia
labom in the Oongresatiou of Oedar Creek and Opekon, where he eontinned an eminentlT
deroted naator fbr more than eighteen Toan. He tnanr nrigned hia ehaige on aeoonnt of
hodny inflrmitieB; and returned to his nattTo eounty (Pitaoe Bdwaid) } hut inbaequeotly sup-
plied vaaant eoiMsegations tm the aatuam of 1814, when, being on * Tislft to Frederiek County,
hewM aUa^edw^ an fflness whieh quieUy proitnted Urn, and he died in the month of
Ostober, at the age of flirty-six. He wm a isaloMj popular, and unoonunonly sueoeorfU,
WILLIAM HILL. ggg
in Berkeley, now Jeffenon County, Ta. His 8t«fced field of labour was
indeed miasionary ground ; and though his Labours here were proseouted
amidst many disoouragements, they were marked by great vigour and bold-
ness, and were followed by higihly important results. He had now acquired
a high reputaUon as a commanding and effective pulpit orator; as an evi-
dence o£ which may be mentioned the &ct that he was appointed to deliver
a Funeral Oration at Harper's Ferry, in commemoration of Washington, —
a service which he performed to the great satisfiustion and admiration of an
immense auditory.
In January, 1800, Mr. Hill left his residence in Jefferson County, and
took charge of the Presbyterian Church in Winchester. Though the call
was unanimous, there were some subjects of interest upon which the people
were by no means agreed among themselves ; and though this rendered the
position of the pastor a difficult one, he was enabled to adhere to his own
convictions, without forfeiting the good-will of any party. Here his influ-
ence was widely and powerfully felt. His great strength of purpose,
vigour of thought, and energy of utterance, gave him an advantage, both at
home and abroad, over most of the preachers of his day. Among those
who made a profession of religion under his minbtry was Major G-eneral
Morgan of Ee?olutionary memory, who not only regarded Mr. Hill as the
instrument of his conversion, but was greatly comforted by his counsels and
prayers in his last hours.
In 1816, the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon
him by Dartmouth Unhersity, Some of his brethren used jocosely to tell
him that his title to D. D. was not valid, because the Institution that gave
it had no legal existence, and subsequently died by a decree of Court.
In February, 1884, Dr. Hill accepted a call to the Briery Presbyterian
Church, in Prince Edward Couuty. Here he remained two years, and then
resigned bis charge, and became Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church
in Alexandria, as successor to the Eev. William C. Walton.* After two
years more, he found himself becoming disqualified for active labour, by the
infirmities of age, and therefore resigned hb pastorship, and returned to
Winchester to pass the residue of hb life among those who had for many
years enjoyed the full vigour of hb minbtry.
During hb residence in Alexandria, and for two years after hb return to
Winchester, Dr. Hill was engaged in writing a History of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States, designed to have been publbhed in two octavo
Volumes. Owing, however, to circumstances connected with the disruption
* William 0. Waltoh «m bora In Hanorer Conntr, Y*., on the 4t3i of NoTomber, 1793.
His iktbor died an aarij Tiotim to intanpemneo; sod tho jonthfol days of the ion were pawed
under einnunatanoea moat nnikroiuaUe to the formation of religiona ^Muraoter. In hia
eighteenth year, he went to reside in the fiunily of a Presbyterian elder in Winqhester, and
Aortly after had his mind a^nsstly dlreotM to ths snlDeot of teli^dn by % Sermon whioh he
heard ftom a Jfethodlst filreaoher. After ft short season of bitter remorse and fearfhl oonfllet,
ho beUered that'he made a sinoere dedication of himself to God thronvh Christ, and soon after
beeame a m«mber of the Presbyterian Ohnroh. He ftlt almost immediatelT a strong impulse
towards the Gospel mlnistiy, and his Pastor, the Rer. Dr. HtU, proposed to him that he shoold
be edneated with referenee to it, bf the Presbyterr of Windhester. Aeoordingly, in tho
iatomn of 1811 he repaired, nnder tne direetion of Presbjtery, to Hampden Sidney College.
On the 38d of Ootober, 1814, ho was licensed to nreaoh the Gospel, though he was still a student
at Hampden Sidney, and rraiained ther^ a eooffideiable time afterwards. After preaohing,ft>r
some time to the Oongiegatlons of Smithfleld and BenyYiUe, on the 26ih (»f April. 1818, he
Was ordained by the Pnsbyteiy to the work of the Gospel ministry, and on the Sthi of May was
Installed Pastor of the Presbyisiian Ohnroh in Hopewell. Early in 1838, ho accepted a call to
the Third Ptabyterian Ohnreh in Baltimore, where he remained about el|^teen months, and
then letuned to Virginia. After labouring in Taxious plaoes, and suflTerlng almost oonstantly
556 FBSSBTTBBIAir.
erf the Ohmeh, lie was diver tod from his purpose^ and determined to pnUieh
hie work in Numbers ; but a ringle Nnmber only waa ever iaaned, and that
took ita oomplezion Very mnoh from the then existing oontroversy. In Uie
great eonteat that issued in the division of the Church, Dr. Hill's judgment,
sympathies, and acts, were fully with the New Sohool ; and a message that
he sent to the Synod a few days before his death, showed that his mind
underwent no ohange on the subject to the last.
For eight years immediately preceding his death, Dr. Hill was chiefly
engaged in reading his favourite authors, and in writing sketohes of the
lives of some of his early associates. He was much in the habit of con-
versing on personal religion, and seemed to live to a great extent amidst
invisible realities. A few months before his death, he suffered a severe
attack of illness, which he regarded as the probable harbinger of his
release. Though he recovered partially from it, it was still evident that
he was the subject of a gradual process of decay. Two weeks before his
death, he was laid prostrate upon his bed. His mind immediately became
unstrung, and never again recovered the power of connected thought;
though diere was that even in his delirium that showed the upward tendency
of his spirit. He died on the 16th of November, 1862, in ^e eighty-fourth
year of his age. Hb Funeral Sermon was preached by the Rev. A. H. H.
Boyd, D. D.
Dr. Hill's publications are a Sermon on Oonfirmation ; a Sermon on
Ifinisterinl Parity preached before the Synod of Virginia, 1810 ; a Mission-
ary Journal from 1790 to 1702 ; and a work on American Preabyterianism ;
besides various contributions to perio^cals.
FBOM THE JLEY. WILLIAM N. SOOTT.
Lmnr's Gbux, Hardy Goanty,Ta., Januaiy 80, 1866.
Bev. and dear Sir: I regret my inability to do justice to the sulyeet upon
which you have asked me to write. Although acquainted with Dr. Hill many
years ago, and connected with him by marriage, stiU, for many years past, my
intercourse with him and knowledge of him have been comparatively limited.
Some thirty years since, I removed to a locality quite distant from him; and, as
we took different sides in the division of the Ohurch in 1837-^8, our occasional
intercourse was, in this way, interrupted — ^he meeting with one Presbytery and
Synod, and I with other Bodies of the same order, we rarely got together. I
will, however, cheerfhlly give you such information in respect to his person and
character as my recollections supply.
Br. Hill was a man of fine appearance and noble bearing. In siae, he was
considerably above mediocrity, and was indined to corpulency. It was not
and, having Moeptad it, removed thither in Oetober, aod entered ftt onee hii new fleU of labov,
In whioh he oontinned nntil he went to hii flnia rcei. He itm taken Ul on the SOIh of Deoem-
her, 1888» nnd, after* aoene of OhriftiM trlnmph, ineh u U nurel/ witaeaedydied, on the 18th
of Febniuy, 19H, aged fbrt^-one /ean. The moot prominent dmraateriatle of hii miaialiy
leema to hftve heen Ua nneeaatng direet efforti to momote revival! of religion, aod the remark-
able snoeeai by whioh they were attended} thoagh it ia nndentood that he adopted and pnMMd
iomewhat eaneatly what were then ealled the " new meanirea.'* A veiy intereating Memoir
of hif life was pal^iahed In 1887, hj the Bev. Joahna Danlbrthi D. 1>«, now the Paator of the
nme Chmi^ in Alezaadrift of whioh Mr. Walton had the ehaige. He repreaenti him aa har-
ing been one of the moat aealona and devoted of ndnlaten. In a letter, he aaja of him* «*Ho
waa gentle in temper, never denvnelatoiy, remarkable for amenity of maanen, opinlona» lifo.
He loved aoola and the gloiy of Qod.*'
WILLIAM HILL. 5Q7
unusual to hear it obsorred that he would have made a noble general for an army,
or admiral for a fleet. Indeed there was in the 8tem expression of his coun-
tenance, and the seeming austerity of his brow, when excited by his subject,
something well calculated to awaken emotions of awe. In illustration of this,
allow me to repeat an inddeDt that occurred in my own house. Dr. Hill and his
lady were in MartinsbniK» — the place of my residence at that time. The Doctor
had preached that day, but was called away afterwards, while his wife remained
and dined at my house. It happened that a Mr. 0., a worthy firmer from the
neighbourhood, dined with us that day, and not knowing that the lady sitting
with us at the table was Mrs. Hill, he began to give his opinion of the sermon to
which we had been listening. He remarked that it was a very solemn and
improasive discourse; " and yet, I confess,'' s«d he, " that the yery looks of the
man, — his fiery, piercing eye, and severe expression of countenance, destroy in
a great measure the effect of his good sermons on my mind.'' Seeing that Mrs.
Uill was as much amused as any of us, I turned to my friend, the fermer, and
said, — " My deaf Sir, you are a little too severe in your criticism, considering that
the wife of Dr. Hill is sitting here with us at the table." The man seemed quite
astounded, and his lips were sealed; but Mrs. Hill kindly relieved him by
remarking that Mr. 0. was not to blame for his impressions, and that more than
once, similar remarks had been made by others in her presence, who knew the
relation she sustained to the Doctor. My friend told me, many years after, that
the incident was of great use to him, having taught him to be more cautions in
his remarks upon the absent.
But, though such was the outward appearance of the man, especially when
under the influence of mental excitement, still there were few more highly gifted
with the social graces, and real pleasantry and suavity of manners. He had a
general cheerfhlness about him, which rendered him a highly agreeable com-
panion.
His performances in the pulpit were of very Tarious degrees of merit. Often,
under fevourable impulses, he would exhibit great pathos and power, and seem
to rise quite above himself; and then he could enchain or melt his audience at
pleasure; while, at other times, he would fell as fer below himself, and seem to
lose altogether the life and spirit of his theme. This latter sometimes happened
in repeating the same sermon on a different occasion,— owing no doubt, pu*tly at
least, to the fluctuation of his animal feelings.
Dr. Hill never flinched fit>m controversy, when he thought the occasion
required him to engage in it. When he took his position, he generally held it
with great firmness and tenacity. This trait he had often an opportunity of
exhibiting in Presbyterial and Synodk»l discussions, and also in at least two
paper controversies, which I now recollect, — ^in one of which his antagonist was
of another denomination, — in the other, of a different profession.
I saw Dr. Hill once during his last illness. He was then, and had been for
some time, confined to his room. Though much enibebled, he was still cheerftd
in spirit, and ludd in inteUeot, and talked calmly and freely about the death of
his wife and his own expected departure. It was but a few weeks after this that
his earthly career was closed.
BeApeetftilly and firatemally yours,
W. N. SCOTT.
FBOM THE RET. A. H. H. BOTD, D. D.
WnroHnsnm, Ya., February 6, 1867.
Bey. and dear Sir: In complying with your request for my impressions of
the character of Dr. Hill, it is proper I should say that I was most ultimately
associated with him for ten years previous to his death. Having served the
668 PRESBTTBBUir.
Ohurch in yarious positions Ibr a hidf centniy, lie came to Winehestef , the scene
of his early labours in the ministry, to liye and die among those whom he loTed*
and who woald gladly minister to him during the closing period of his life. I
shall confine myself to a brief expression of my yiews of his character, as based
upon my daily intercourse with him.
Dr. Hill possessed an intellect of great clearness and yigour. No one need
misunderstand him. His conceptions were strong and yiyid, and his style of
expression was terse and sententious. His actiye life, in the early part of his
ministry, preyented that kind of mental discipline which results from seyere
study. His intellect was more remarkable for strength than for logical develop-
ment. He grasped a subject with great energy. He sought to obtain large and
comprehensiye riews of truth, rather than to indulge in yain speculations. His
perceptions were quick, and his conclusions, which would proye to be correct,
w^re often formed with great rapidity. He loyed the truth, and hence, in his
inyestigations, he brought his rigorous mind to contemplate it in its yarious rela-
tions, but not so to analyse it by metaphysical distinctions, as to lose sight of
it in its moral bearings upon the human heart. His memory was remarkably
retentiye. His mind was capable of comprehending any subject to which it was
directed; and, though his impatient nature would prompt him to forego the
thorough inyestigation of subjects, step by step, in a logical form, he would ney-
ertheless giye such a degree of attention as was necessary to arriye at a right
conclusion. His mind was well stored with first principles; and, therefore,
making them the basis of his inquiries, he did not deem it indispensable, in order
to ascertain the truth, to pursue with logical, metaphysical accuracy a sulject in
all its aspects.
Dr. HUl was a man of great firmness of purpose. When his Judgment was
convinced, he never wavered, unless new and powerful reasons were presented to
him. He was not to be shaken from his purpose to pursue what he believed to
be the right path, either by the flattery of friends or the threats of opponents.
His mental constitution fitted him to be a leader rather than to be led. His
indomitable will would never yield to the will of another through fear or fiivour.
He must be fully persuaded of the propriety of the course recommended, before
he would consent to change any plan of action upon which he had determined.
It was his firmness and decision of character that occasionally impressed others
with the idea that he was harsh and forbidding, when in truth his feelings may
not hav9 been excited in the slightest degree. He was often placed in a situation
whicli called for a high degree of Christian decision* Had he lived in times of
persecution, like Paul before Felix, or Luther before the Diet of Worms, he
would have been unmoved by lordly power, or the threats of exalted wicked-
His physical temperament was of a mercurial cast. He was ardent, fearless,
and enthusiastic This peculiarity of his constitution was known to himself a«
well as to others. It developed itself amid the conflicts of sentiment in Ohurch
and State, in different periods of his life, aiid, combined as it was with an inflex-
ible will, it wai sometunes the occasion of leading him to express his own con-
victions in a manner that would seem to erince unkindness of feeling. Such an
inference, however, is by no means legitimate. Whilst, like other men, he was
liable to exdtement of temper, he was by nature magnanimous and kind. He
lived a long life, passed through many scenes of excitement, came in contact with
men of every class and character, and it would have been strange indeed, if, in
the circumstances in which he was placed, his naturally excitable temperament
had never been developed. He>was ever ready to dtfmd what he believed to be
the^ruth. But I am not aware that ho ever manifested a dispositionunneoessa
rUy to assail the views and persons of others. The grace of God had done much
in softening the asperities of his natural constitution, so that, in the midst of
WILLIAM HILL. 5Qg
high'pftrtj excitomeDty.he wmb enaUed, in a* great measorey to control a nature
that otherwise might have been the sonroe of deep mental diaqnietude. He had
his fimlts-rfbr he was a man. But they were the fknlts of that class who unite
an ardent, excitable temperament with some of the most commanding virtues of
humanity; — who, if, amid the Yidssitudes and conflicts of life, they permit the
waves of passion to obscure their vision, have imbedded in their moral nature
the principles of right, and which, having a predominating control, will show
themselves, sooner or later, in acts indicative of their heavenly origin.
As a friend. Dr. Hill was genial and pleasant Those who had his confidence,
found him one of the most agreeable companions. His conversation was instruo-
tive, and sometimes humorous. Undue familiarity he would not permit; but
he delighted in a free and easy manner, and none who understood the proprieties
of life need be restrained in his presence. Having been accustomed to mingle in
aU dasses of society,-r-with the high and low, the rich and poor, he had a fund
of anecdote which gave interest to his conversation. To his ministerial brethren
particularly, his vivid narration of events and inddents connected with the his-
tory of distinguished men, both in Ohurch and State, during the first part of
this century, was always interesting and instructive. He loved the sodety of
liis brethren; and, after the infirmities of age interfered with his meeting them
in the judicatories of the Church, and in protracted religious services, he was
always gratified in receiving their visits. His social qualities were well adapted
to enlist the affections of those in whom he reposed confidence.
As a preacherj Dr. Hill was dear, energetic and impresmve. His power, as
an extemporaneous preacher, was very remarkable. He had not the learning
and the dose, logical reasoning of Rice, nor the chaste and fiowing style of
Speece, nor the splendid imagination of J^rkpatrick. But there was a comUna-
tion of excellencies in his preaching which made him a great fevourite. His com-
manding person, his dear and powerful voice, the vividness of his conceptions,
the directness and pungency of his appeals, and the deep earnestness visible in
his countenance and manner of delivery, impressed his audience with the convic-
tion that what he said was truth, and such truth as involved thdr most rital
interests. He never aimed to please the fency, or to gratify a fiistidious taste.
He sought to arouse the sleeping consdenoe, to melt the obdurate heart, and to
save the undying soul. His illustrations were drawn chiefly from practical life,
and they were, for the most part, so apt and striking, as to make a powerful
impression upon his audience. He sddom wrote his sermons. like most of his
brethren in Virginia, he preached from brief notes. This habit was acquired in
early life, partly from necessity, and partly because the state of sodety and
public sentiment .rendered it inexpedient to use a manuscript. His sentences
were short and pithy; and when his soul was fired by his subject, he would
throw out thoughts, that would Ml upon the minds of his hearers with an
almost irresistible power. Some of the most eloquent and impressive thoughts
I have heard from the pulpit, were uttered by him when his mind was enkmdled
by his theme, and without any preparation. He loved to preach; and Christ
and Hiffl.crucified constituted the great theme upon which he delighted to dwell.
As a member of the judicatories of the Church, Dr. Hill was conspicuous.
He was regular in his attendance upon these convocations. His long experience
had made him familiar with the rules of deliberative bodies. His powers as a
debater were universally acknowledged. His advice was recdved with all the
respect due to his talents, experience, and standing in the Church.
The piety of this venerated father was based upon fixed prindples. It was
ndther the exuberance of animal passion, nor the heartlessness of a cold and
ibrmal sentimentalism. I have often heard him remark that he had not those
ecstatic emotions, that intense and glowing rapture, which some experience. His
religion was the religion of prindple. He aimed to live according to the rule
Vol. HI. 72
670 PBSSBTrBBIAH.
prescribed by his DiTiae Mtstor. He lofed the Scriptures of imth. Dariog
the last two years of his life, he read throqgh the Bible with the OomaieDtary
of Dr. Scott. He had not the mildness of John, the beloved disciple, bat he
had, to a yery great degree, the Ohristtan fortitude of Panl and of recoyered
Peter. His sixty-six years of senrice in the cause of the Sayiour were years of
full deyotion of both his intelleot and heart to Him who redeemed him with His
own blood.
It was my priyilege to witness the closing scene of his life. For some years
he had been anticipating death, and the grace of God was evidently preparing
him for this event. On various occasions he expressed his entire confidence in
the Saviour, and said, if it was God's will, he would prefer " to depart and be
with Christ, which is &r better." He was in a state of delirium for several
days previous to his death, apparently unconsdous of suffering. All power of
connected thought was gone. And yet there was something in the character oi
that delirium which indicated his deep interest in spiritual things. Sometimes
he 8]ioke as if he was preaching that Gospel which he had proclaimed ibr idxty
years. Then, again, beseemed to be transported to the portals of Heaven.
Among other things, he said, " I hear musk '' — it seemed as if God was giving
him a fbretaste of the rich mdody that would soon fidl upon his ransomed spirit.
He continued in this delirium until his soul wa^ released from its day tenement.
His vigorous constitution resisted, with great tenadty, the assault of the ruth*
less destroyer. But it finally yielded the contest, and the oft-repeated wish of
this TeneraUe &ther was gratified— Ats soul tooe ai kmu wUh hit 8a»itmr,
Yours fraternally,
A. H. H. BOTB.
LEWIS PEUILLETEAU WILSON *
1791—1804.
LvwiB FxxTiLLXTXAU WxLSOif was bom at St. Ohristopher's, one of
the West India Islands, in June, 1758. His father, a wealthy planter,
wishing to h^tc his sons a better education than the Island afforded, sent
this son, then about four years old, and another who was two years older, to
enjoy the better advantages that might be secured by a residence with their
friends in London. The elder brother died on the voyage ; but Lewis
arrived safely, and was immediately put to school. Some time after, his
&iher removed to London ; and the son was continued at a grammar sehool
until he completed his seventeenth year. At that time, an undo of his
migrated to America, and settled in New Jersey : young Wilson aooompa-
nied him, and soon aUtor his arrival became a member of Princeton Col-
lege.
He proved himself an ezoeUent scholar during his college course, and was
graduated with honour in 1778. His mind was first brought into sympathy
with religious things, during a revival that took place in the GoUege in
1772. At the commencement of the revival, he was disposed to keep him-
self aloof from every thing connected with it, sod he even insnited one of
the Tutors, who ventured to call his attention to his higher interests ; hut
• 2>r. jr. M. ^niioii*f Benaon craailoiied by Uf dealh.— Footo's Sketbhat of K. C.
LEWIS FEUILLETEAn WILSOK. 57X
it was not long before he became a anbjeot of the deepest anxiety. It was
while listening to a sermon by the Bey, Dr. Spenoer of Trenton, that he
first awoke to a sense of his guilt and danger ; and from that time he fonnd
no rest, till he found it in what he believed was a full ai\d hearty submis-
sion to the terms of the Gospel. The opposition which he maxdfested to
the revival, in its earlier stage, never ceased to be on occasion of lamenta-
tion and hnmiliation with* him, as long as he lived.
A oironmstance occurred in connection with his graduation, that was
illnstratiye equally of his fine scholarship and his noble spirit When the
honours were distributed in his class by the Trustees of College, five were
appointed to deliver orations, and the second oration fell to him. When
the announcement was made by the President, he rose and made a most
respectful and grateful acknowledgment of the honour that had been con-
ferred upon him, but begged to decline it, and expressed a wish that it
might be given to another. He was accordingly excused, and a person to
whom he knew the appointment would be more acceptable, was substituted
in his place.
After receiving his Bachelor's degree in September, 1778, he visited
London, intending to take orders in the Established Ohurch of England,-^
the Ohurch in which he had been educated, — if he could see a reasonable
prospect of comfort and usefulness. But not finding the National Ohuroh
in such a state as he desired, he resolved to enter the ministry in connection
with some other denomination, though his father, who was a man of large
property, earnestly opposed it, and refused him all pecuniary aid. Havmg
obtained possession of a bequest of three hundred guineas, left to him by an
aunt, whose death had occurred a short time before, he furnished himself
with a wardrobe and small library, and returned to America, after a resi-
dence in England of about five months.
Landing at PhUadelpUa, he went immediately to Princeton, and com-
menced the study of Divinity, under the direction of Dr. Witherspoon, in
the spring of 1774. Soon after this, he was chosen Tutor in the College
and held the office about one year. Being interrupted in his theological studies
by the breaking up of the College, in consequence of the war of the Bevo-
lution, he was prevailed upon by a fellow-tutor to accompany him to Phila-
delphia, and to become associated with him in the study of medicine; and
this resolution to change his professional studies is said to have been induced
partly by some perplexity of mind — the nature of which is not known — into
which he was thrown by the study of Ohurch History.
After pursuing his medical studies about two years, he embarked in the
cause of American Independence, and entered, as a Surgeon, the Continen-
tal army. In this capacity he continued several years, — ^being employed
part of the time in the land service, and part of the time on board of ves-
sels of war. In 1781, he was mformed of the death of his &ther, and of
his haying left him a legacy of five hundred pounds sterling. In conse-
quence of this, he made another visit to England ; and, on his return to
America, he settied as a practising physician in Princeton, N. J..
Mr. Wilson, amidst all the adverse circumstances attendant on his con-
nection with the army, mainti^ned an exemplary Christian deportment, not
only discharging his various relative duties with great fidelity, but evidently
living under an habitual impression of eternal realities. And now, having
retired from the agitating scenes of military life, he gave himself, first of
572 PBESBTTEBIAH.
ill, to a most oaieM «id diligent study of the entire Seriptores. After
being employed for a few years as a mediosl praotitipner, and deyotiiig mnoh
of his time to the direct onltare of his Christian affections, he wss induced,
in the year 178d> — chiefly through the influence of the Bey. Mr. (slier-
wards Dr.) James Hall, who had formed a strong attachment to him in Gol-
toge, — to take up his residence in Iredell County, N. C, the scene of Mr.
Hall's labours. Shortly after his removal thither, he became connected in
marriage with Margaret, daughter of Hugh Hall, and a near relative of
the friend by whose influence his removal to North Carolina had been
effected.
Though Mr. Wilson rendered himself highly acceptable and useful in lis
new sphere, as a medical practitioner, he was not, nor had he been in pre-
<^iog years, fully satisfied with himself for having abandoned the purpose
of entering the ministry. Meanwhile, many of the good people around him,
observing his excellent qualifications for the ministry, became urgent that
he should change his profession, and direct his attention primarUy to the
maladies of the soul rather than those of the body ; and some of the lead-
ing ministers in Orange County, among whom was his excellent and influ-
ential friend, Mr. Hsll, very decidedly seconded this soggestion. Af^r due
deliberation on the subject, he determined to act in accordance with the
judgment of his brethren, and he accordingly offered himself to the Orange
Presbytery as a candidate for the Gospel ministry. Having passed his
tarious trials with great credit, he was licensed to preach in the year
1791.
' His efforts in the pulpit, from the first, were received with marked appro-
bation ; and, in a short time, several respectable congregations endeavoured
to- secure him as their pastor. He ultimately accepted a call from the
Foujrth Creek and Concord Churches; and in June, 1798, he was ordained
to the work of the ministry and installed Pastor of those Churches. It was
a peculiarly pleasant circumstance attending his settlement, that it brought
him into the immediate vicinity of his friend, Mr. Hall, with whom he had
long been in intimate and endeared relations. His connection with these
two Churches continued about ten years with uninterrupted harmony.
Of Mr. Wilson's connection with the great Western and Southern Bevi-
yal, which occurred about the commencement of this century, and of his
▼lews of the phenomena by which it was marked, some idea may be formed
from the following extract of a letter to his intimate friend, the Bev. Dr.
Ashbel Green, of Philadelphia, dated Iredell County, N. 0., May 12,
1808;—
'* In your letter you desire me to give you some account of the revival of
religion. Several months have elapsed since your request, and I have no
doubt but you have been particidarly informed upon the subject. You
must, notwithstanding this, allow me to narrate upon this .snbje0t, request-
ing that you will allow yourself to give me your candid thoughts upon what
I shall relate.
'* Fifteen or sixteen months ago, a number of us undertook a journey of
Eighty miles, in the most dreary part of the winter, to see religion in a
new form. At that time, we had something among us that we called reli-
gion: the profession was general in our country, ikud I can, without hesita-
tion, say Uiat a number of us had the root of the matter in us ; while, at
the same time, we are now obliged to acknowledge that the wise and foolish
LEWIS FBUILLSTEAU WILSON. ^73
mgtiM were shunefffll j: dmabering and aleqpiiig togetib^. .,1 ean MBjf,m
to myself, ihs^, although I was freqoenilj rejoioingrbeoaiiso. I .hacl been
brought into the ministry of the GtMipel, and flattered. ■ mysdl 4hat. li was
making adyanoes in holiness, there was mnoh in me that needed, reforma-
tion. Whilst I lamented the general decay of religion, I made no suitable
effort to produce an alteration for the better. I continued to preach,. but
was imder the influence of the same lukewarm spirit, which too generally
pervaded our Southern Ohurches. In this state of mind, I received frequent
accounts from ihe Transylvania country of a religion accompaniod with all
the unusual circumstances which you have often heard o£ I reasoned upon
them — I was able, ih my apprehension, to account for them — I had no doubt
but that the Spirit of Qod was among them; but, at the same time, was
satisfied that there were enthusiastic extravagances, exceeding any thing I
had ever heard of. In this state of mind, with these impressions, I went
to Randolph, where I first got a view of it. The scene opened with an
outcry from some hundreds at the same instant. The noise and confusion
can neither be conceived nor described — ^you neyer can understand it till
you see it. All my former reasonings were at once overturned* I. found
myself totally ignorant of that which, a few minutes before, I thought I
could have explained to any reasonable mind. Astonishment seised me,
and I sunk, in spirit, lower, if possible, than Bunyan's pilgrim, when in
the middle of the slough of despond. In this state of mind, I spent the
remainder of the day, &e following night, and the succeeding day ,^ when I
was at last compelled, almost against my wUl, to receive it as a Divine
work. The whole of this time, — two days and the intermediate night, I
spent in going through the people, and examining their exercises. The
circumstances which presented themselves were agitations of body, tremors,
convulsions, suffocations, &c., which have no religion in them. Some were
prostrate on the earth, crying for mercy — others shouting and exhibiting
every demonstration of the most ecstatic religious joy ; some exhortbg sin-
ners— others praying over those on the ground. My first object was <to
determine their sincerity, — to satisfy myself that there was no affectation
in the business. I think there was none: if there was, I could not detect
it. There was the greatest harmony between the language and the counte-
nance. A circumstance pretty general with those who came through, as it
is called, was a gloss, a splendour, a glory of countenance, a beauty in the
human face, which I never before beheld. It is a something which, I sup-
pose, will serve to give an idea of the shining of Stephen's &oe, when in
the eounciL This splendour remains a longer or a shorter time, and is not,
cannot be, dependant on the will of the creature. After satisfying myself
with respect to the sincerity of those who were the subjects of the work, I
reasoned with myself in the following way :— rlt is certainly possible for the
Spirit of Ood to operate so powerfolly upon the hearts of three thousand
persons, as to compel them to speak aloud; in which case,, all: that is
uttered will be according to the present State of mind of eadi individual.
If we suppose this actuidly to take place in such a multitude althe same
instant, those circumstances must tske place which we have been attempt-
ing to detail. One prays under a sense of sin^another shouts with the
apprehension of mercy. One, impressed with a view of the miserable case
of sinners, exhorts all around him, and a fourth, under the same impression^
makes his application to Ood in prayer. And that which appears at first
574 FBESBTTEBIAK.
Tiew to be ihe most borrid ooDfoBion, will immediately become exaet end
neoesiafy order. Tbe oljeotions agabat it axe nunerooa. Tbe moat formi-
dable eomea from profeaaora. The aubjecta of thia eztraordiDary work, aay
tbej, are many of them incapable of giving any acriptaral evidence of a
aaving olmnge. In anawer to thia, I aay, be that endnrea to the end aball
be aaved. It ia to be feared that, among the atony ground hearera, we may
be obliged hereafter to number aome who, in our eatimation, have given a
aatiafootory accoont of a work of grace upon their hearta. I believe there
b a turning about time to every aoul that ia truly converted. Thoao who
have had an opportunity of religioua inatruction, and have improved it, are
aometimea able to tell a pretty oonaiatent atory ; but aa for thoae who were
both ignorant and profane, what are we to expect from them at auch a
time, more than a general aenae of ain, and general apprehenaion of mercy
through the Redeemer ? Aa to myaelf , I can aay that if I waa ever bom
to Jeaoa Ghriat, it waa at College. When I firat turned from ain to God,
iay mind waa a perfect blank aa to religioua knowledge, and had I been
obliged to unde^ a critical examination, I could not have given a aorip-
toral evidence of a aaving change. I waa ignorance itaelf. I could have
told you what I bad felt, and that I waa determined to follow the Bedeemer
in the regeneration.
** The effect of the revival in our ohurchea ia truly aatoniahing. Although
it appean to be remarkably owned by Ood, our churohea are tending to
diaaolution — ^hardly a congregation where it haa taken place, but there ia
oppoaition. Whatever may be the event to aome, we Imve reaaon to rejoioe
in the day of viaitation. It ia a truth that many have turned from ain to
holinete, and are now, in the moat exalted atndna, oelebrating the praiaea
of redeembg love. The children of Ood are animated to a great degree,
and we are generally praying for and expecting more glorioua daya thim we
have aa yet aeen. I Imve now given you, aa well aa I could, an account of
every thing that haa led me to view thia extraordinary work aa Divine. I
wiah you, with your ancient candour and freedom, to remark not only upon
what I hftve aud, but upon what you have heard. I have cordially embraced
rdi^^on in ita preaent form. I am endeavouring to promote what many call
eonfuaion. If I am wrong, I wiah to be convinced ; if right, to be con-
firmed."
In connection with the revival, there sprung up a controveray between a
portion of the Fourth Greek Oongregation and Mr. Wilson on the qualifier-
tiona for admiaaion to the ** aealing ordinanoca." Thia controveray doee not
aeem to be very exactly defined ; bnt it ia aaid to have been aubatantially
the aame with that which cxiated between Jonathan Bdwarda and the people
of Northampton. At any rate, it iaaued in Mr. Wilaon'a aeparation from
the Fourth Greek Gongregation, in 1808. It doea not appear, however, that
it waa attended with any embittered state of feeling towarda him, and hia
reaignation ia underatood to have been a voluntary matter on hia part, and
to have resulted from hia unwillingneaa to preaide over a divided Seaaion.
During the abort period of hia life that remained, hia laboura wero oonfined
to the Gongregation of Goncord.
Bib last iUneaa waa a violent inflammatory fever. From ita commence-
ment, he aeema to have had a full conviction that he should never recover ;
and the grounds of thia conviction, aa he atated to a Mend, were that he
had aome aymptoma which were enturely new to him, and that, during the
LEWIS FEUILLSTEAn WILSOK. 575
preoedmg two montlui, he htd realised a degree of deadnees to the iio?ld,
whidk had had no parallel in hia previouB ezperienoe. Ab he gradoally sunk
from day to day under the power of hia malady, his mind was quickened to
a state of unwonted apiritual fervour, and wliile every thing that he said
and did seemed simple and natural, there was in it iJl a most impressive
testimony to the all*sustaiiiiDg power of the Ctospel. He died in perfect
peace, on the 11th of December, 1804, in the fifty-second year of his age.
He left a widow and seven children, all of whom became members of the
Church, and two of the sons ministers of the Gospel.
FROM THE REV. R. H. MORRISOK, D. D.
CoRAoa HoMS, K. C, Febroary 19, 1857.
Rev. and dear Sir: As the Rev. L. F. Wilson, concerning ^hom you inquire,
died in my childhood, of course I have no personal recollections of him that
could avail to your purpose. Judging, however, from the estimate formed of
him by ministers and Ohristians who knew him well, I have no doubt that he
was a man of oseftd talents and sound learning; that he devoted himself to the
work of Christ with great eneigy and wisdom; that his aeal and courage in the
cause of truth were blended with remarkable humility and prudence. Public
sentiment has awarded him a high claim to veneration as a iSdthfhl, devoted and
sucoessfhl minister of the Gospel. Perhaps the best testimony that can be given
of his worth, is found in an Appendix to a Sermon preached on the occasion of
his death by the Rev. John M. Wilson, D. D., who knew him personally, and
whose Judgment is entitled to the utmost confidence. He speaks of him in the
following terms: —
" Mr. Wilson was a most entertaining and agreeable companion. His natural
temper lively and cheerful, his education ^nished, his Judgment penetrating, his
acquaintance with the world large, qualified him at once to entertain and edify
those that were conversant with hfan. Free from an useless round of ceremony,
and unshackled by modes and forms, it was impossible not to be easy' in hiu
company.
** Our deceased friend, as a divine, certainly stood in a point of view highly
respectable. He was not a wandering star, running off into eternal eccentridties.
With respect to his system of ikith, it was that which you m%fat have expected
from his profession. It was not like Nebuchadnessar^s imiage, composed of
heterogeneous materiak, which can never coalesce— he was firmly OalvinisUc. In
this respect, he believed, and many will believe with him, * that he went his way
by the footsteps of the fiock, and fed his kids beside the shepherds' ients.'
** In the arrangement of bis public discourses, he was dear and Judidous; his
gesture natural, indicating deep engagement of heart; his style devated and
nervous; his eloquence fiowing and persuadve.
" The language of Mr. Wilson's precepts and practice was one. By a life and
conversation conformed to the Gospd, he silently exhorted those to whom he
ministered, as the great Apostle of the Gentiles did the Churches,— ' My little
diildren, be ye followers of me, even as I am a follower of Christ."
I have no doubt that the above extracts convey a fdthful idea of that excellent
Yery tmly and aifeotionatdy yours,
R. H. MORRISOir.
5Y6 PBBSBTTEBIAir.
JONAS COE, D. D *
1791—1822.
Jonas Cos was a grandson of Samuel Coe, who migrated to this oonntrj
from Bngland, and settled at Newtown, L. I., about the year 1712;
removed with his family to New Hampstead^ Orange County, N. Y., in
17&4 ; and died in 1742, aged about seventy years. He was a son of John
and Hannah (Halstead) Coe, and was bom at New Hampstead, the residence
of his parents and grandparents, on the 20th of March, 1759. His &ther
was an earnest patriot in the Bevolution, and on one occasion took with him
into battle five of his sons, — one of whom was the subject of this sketch,
then only sixteen years of age. In due time, he became a member of
Queen's (now Butgers) College, New Brunswick, N. J., where he gradu*
ated in 1789. He spent his vacations in labouring on his &thef's farm ,
and occasionally at other times also, he returned home to render him tem-
porary aid. He received the degree of Master of Arts from the College of
New Jersey in 1792, and from Union College in 1797. He pursued his
theological studies under the direction of the Bev. Dr. Bodgers of New
York ; was taken under the care of the Presbytery of New York, October
11, 1790 ; and was lioensed to preach on the 7th dT October, 1791.
On the 8d of Blay, 1792, a call from the Church in Stamford, Conn., was
put into his hands, which, however, he declined.
The town of Troy originally comprehended two villages, — Troy and Lan-
nngburg, distant from each othei^ about three miles. While these villages
were yet in their infancy, there were a number of individuals in each of
them who were desirous of havmg the benefit of a preached Qospel, but the
number was not sufficient in either place to enable ^hem to support a minis-
ter. The inhabitants of the two villages, forming two separate congrega-
tions, therefore combined their strength, and invited Mr^ Coe, then a highly
respectable licentiate, to become their pastor, — ^preaching in the two places
on alternate Sabbaths. He accepted the call, and on the 11th of October,
1792, was dismissed to the Presbytery of Albany, was received by that
body on the 20th of February, 1798, (after an examination of two days!)
and was ordained and installed on the 26th of June followbg. During the
earlier years of his ministry, he resided in Lansingburg, but as early at
least as 1802, he removed his &mily to Troy, and there spent the rest of
his days.
In 1808, after he had held this united charge about eleven years his Con-
gregation at Troy had so much increased in both numbers and pecuniary
ability, that they felt themselves strong enough to support the ministry with-
out sharing the expense with the sister village ; and, aocor<Ungly^ the union
between the two congregations was dissolved, and Mr. Coe's sole charge
thenceforth was in Troy..
At the time of his settlement over these congregations, almost the whole
Northern part of the State of New York was a wilderness. As settlements
commenced at various points, he visited them in the capacity of a mission-
•MS. fWrnnhii dMghtor, Mn. fiiown.— Hon. John Woodworth'i Bemlniaoenoee of 3Voj«
41dni'i BpiUphi, IV.
. JOKASCOE. 577
arj, endeavooring to ud them, as far as he ooold, to the establiahment of
Christian institatioiis. In one of these benevolent exoorsions, he went as
far North as Plattsbnig.
The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him bj Hiddlebniy
College in 1815.
Dr. Coe's ministry was not marked by any very striking events, except
that it was attended by several remarkable revivals of religion. Its general
character in this respect may be sufficiently indicated by the fact that
between 1816 and 1818, no ]ess than two hundred and sixty were received
as members of his church.
It was Dr. Coe's daily prayer in his fiunUy, as well as his often expressed
wish in conversation, that he might not survive his usefulness — ^nothing
seemed to distress him more than the idea of becoming a superannuated
clergyman, and a burden to his people. God mercifully granted him this
desire of his heart. He was laid aside from his work but six weeks, and
confined to his bed but a few days, prior to his death. His disease was a
peculiar form of dyspepsia. In his decline as well as in his vigour, in his
death as well as in his life, he bore an honourable testimony to the power
and excellence of the Oospel. He died on the 21st of July, 1822, in the
sixty-fourth year of his age. His Funeral Sermon was preached by his
neighbour and intimate friend, the Eev. Dr. Blatchford. Twenty-five clergy-
men were in attendance at his FuneraL
Dr. Coe was first married on the 27th of September, 1794, to Eliza
Huntting, daughter of Dr. Matthias B. and Phoebe Miller, and sister of
the Hon. Morris S. Miller, who was for some time a member of Congress.
She was a lady of great personal attractions, as well as uncommon loveli-
ness and excellence of character. She was bom in Dutchess County, N. Y.
April 10, 1778, and died on the 19th of April, 1806. On the 14th of May,
1810, he was married to Abigail Wallace, also a native of Dutchess County,
— who then resided in Lansingburg, and who still (1857) survives in her
eighty-sixth year. He had three children, — two sons and one daughter, — all
by the first marriage. The eldest son, Edward Af., was graduated at Union
College in 1816 ; studied Law, and engaged in the practice of it at Troy,
where he died February 12, 1828, aged thirty-one years. John R, was
bom in January, 1800; was graduated at Union College in 1816; became
a student at the Princeton Theological Seminary in the autumn of 1817 ;
was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Troy in October, 1820 ; after
labouring for some time as a missionary, was ordained and installed Paster
of the Church in Whitehall, N. T., in July, 1822 ; and died in September,
1828. He inherited many of his father's excellent qualities, and many
fond hopes were blasted by his early death.
FBOM THE HON. JOHN WOODWOBTH.
Albaxt, April 28, 18ft7.
My dear Sir: It gives me pleasure to bear my testimony to the great worth
and useAilness of my former venerable friend and pastor, theBev. Dr; Ooe ; and
I do it with the more alacrity, as it is doubtful whether there is another person
now living whose opportunities for knowing him at once reach back so fiir, and
were so frequent and fiivourableas my own. I commenced the practice of Law
in Troy in the year 1791 ; and Dr. Coe commenced his labours there^ if I mis-
take not, in the spring of the next year; so that I knew him from the very
YoL. ni. 73
578 PRESBTTSBIAir.
beginning of bia minUtry. Troy was, at that time, little more than a hamlet^
consiating perhaps of thirty or forty houses ; hot there were some ezoeUent
people there, who felt too deeply the valae of the Gospel to be willhig to lite
without it. The principal of these was Mr. Jacob D. Yanderheyden, a wealthy
and influential man, and the owner of the ground on which Troy stands. He
had been the subject of a very remarkable conyersion — ^firom being utterly
indifferent to religion, and intensely deyoted to the world, he had become one of
the most earnest and exemplary Christians, and had Acquired an amount of
religious knowledge and true spiritual wisdom, that enabled him to preside at
social meetings in a highly appropriate and edifying manner. It was through
his influence, I think, more than that of any other person, that the labours of the
young minister were secured for the two infant settiements. I was myself one of
Dr. Ooe's hearers firom the beginning, and I first made a public profession of
religion by joining his church, t^fter a reviyal of religion in 1803.
Few men whom I haye ever known haye accomplished so much good as Dr
Coe by that insensible i|fluence which pertains to character. Tou could not say
he was a great preaeher, and yet he was always respectable— -you could not say
lie was a great man in the popular acceptation of the word, — for with the excep-
tion of judgment and common sense, I do not know that he possessed any intel-
lectual iiiculty in more than ordinary strength; but yon could say, after all, that
he possessed a great character; — ^by which I mean a character so formed as
always to be accomplishing, silently indeed but most effectiyely, the true mission
of a Christian minister. There was such a blending of the loyely qualities of
nature with the higher qualities that are superinduced by grace, there was such
an entire fVeedom iVom eyery thing that could giye reasonable offence on the one
hand, aiid such fidelity to his own conyictions of truth and right on the other, —
in short, there was such a graoefhl symmetry and eleyation in his whole bearings
that he seemed to be doing positiye good, eyen when he was absolutely doin^
nothing. Tou can hardly imagine any thing to exceed the tenderness of his
sympathy in scenes of sorrow; and next to tiie Qradoue Comforter aboye, his
people looked to him in the hour of their trouble. Whereyer he might be, or in
whateyer circumstances placed, it was eyident that his heart was set upon doing
good. He neyer needed a youcher for the purity or the beneyolence of his inten-
tions. In eyery cirole in which he was known, his name was a synonyms for
whateyer is true, and pure, and loyely, and of good report. I am glkd you haye
reyiyed my recollections of him by your request; for though he has long rinee
passed away, his memory will always be dear to my heart.
I am, with great regard.
Sincerely yours,
JOHN WOODWOBTH.
FBOM THS BSy. ELIPHALET IIOTT, D. D.
Uxiov CoKuoi, May 12, 1867.
Bey. and dear Sir : Though I am not able to fhmish you with the fkcts concern-
ing Dr. Coe for which you ask, permit me to say that I consider him as haying
been one of the most estimable and useful men with whom t haye eyer become
acquainted. He exerted a powerfbl infuenoe for good in this community, during
the latter part of the last, and the first part of the present, century.
' Dr. Coe was a nan of great wisdom and goodness. His deep and nnifonn
fnely, and at the same time his kindly and affectionate manners, rendered him a
welcome guest in eyery fkmiljr, and thus 1m became emphatieally a preacher of
the Gospel from house to honiM.
. (During the early part of his ministry, he wrote his sermons fhlly, and
with great care, and be deliyered them memoriter as they were written. This
JONAS OOE; 579
habit he eontinaed till an extensive reyivali (I do not remember exaetly at what
period it occurred,) with which his labours in the cause of hiS Master were
crowned. From that time till the close of life, he read from the pulpit the manu-
script he had prepared,— giving as a reason for the change that time had become
too precious to be employed in memorizing the discourses he had carefully
written.
Dr. Coe was not distinguished for either flashes of wit, or bursts of eloquence,
but he was distinguished for uniformity of conduct and completeness of character.
He was never known to do a rash act, or utter a fbolish expression. What he
said was always suited to the occasion, and whatever he executed passed finished
from his hand.
Wise in counsel and punctual in attendance, he had a controlling influence in
the business that came before the Judicatories of the Ohurch to which he belonged.
For many years he was a member of the Board of Trustees of Union College,
and took an active part in its organization, and in all its early transactions. He
was also, for a long time, a member of its Examining Committee, and met the
classes regularly three times a year, encouraging them by his presence, and guid-
ing them by his counsel.
He was my own personal friend, and I owe much of my success to his con-
stancy and fidelity. Peace to his sainted spirit ! Few men have been more useful,
lived more beloved, or left behind a more blameless character or cherished
memory. Yours very sincerely,
ELIFHALST KOTT.
FBOM THOMAS W. BLATGHFORD, M. D.
Tbot, March 17, 1867.
Dear Sir: I knew Dr. Coe well, and loved him dearly. My earliest religious
impressions are associated with him. It is fifty-two years since I first heard him
preach. He was in the habit of frequently visiting at our house, and of exchange
ing pulpits with my fiither. I often rode with him between the two places, Troy
and Lansingburg, and it was a treat that I always coveted. His conversation
was usually more or less of a serious character, and sometimes turned directly
on personal religion. He was exceedingly mild and pleasant, warmhearted and
affectionate, and seemed always to take a special interest in the young. He
loved children, and children consequently loved him. One incident illustrative
of this is particularly fresh in my recollection. Oh one occasion, my &ther sent
me on an errand to him, very early in the morning; and after breakfast, (for I
took my breakfast at his house,) as I was about to return home, he laid his soft
warm hand upon my head, (I think I feel it now,) led me into an adjoining room,
and there offered a most fervent and affectionate prayer in my bebdf, supplica-
ting for me the gracious presence and guidance of God's Holy Spirit.
In the pulpit he was always solemn, earnest and affectionate-H>ft6n affected to
tears, and sometimes quite overcome by his emotions. He had a mild tenor
voice,— his delivery was somewhat rapid, though his articulation was very
distinct. His prayers were fervent and impressive in manner, and rich and feli-
citous in evangelical thought and expression. His power in tiie pulpit consisted
more in persuasion than in argument — his sermons, though by no means defl^
oient in well digested thought, evinced more of practical and e^terimental reli^
gion than of extensive learning or profound investigation. But his great snoeess
as a minister was undoubtedly to be referred more to his labours out of the pul-
pit than in itr-m a pastor I do not hesitate to say that, to this day^I havto-^Mver
known his equal. . .
His labours were rewarded by several seasons of refreshing teotk the pres^nee
of the Lord. One of thefte, which commenced in January, 1816, mm followed
580 FBBSBTTBBIAir.
hj an addiiioii to ihe ohnreh, after a tew months, of mora than a hundred per-
flons. I was present on the occasion, haying jnst retorned from London, where
I had been panning mj medical studies; and the scene was periiaps the mors
impressiYe to me, from some peenliar drcamstances under which I witnessed it.
The chnreh, though a laige building, was crowded to its utmost capacity; and
multitudes were standing on the outside, trying to catch oocasionally a sentence,
or through the open windows to get an imperfect view of the interesting scene
that was passing within.
Though it is now thirty-flye years since the death of Dr. Ooe, his memory is
still gratefully cherished, not only by the few sunriiing members of his duu|;e,
but by their children and children's children.
I remun, Ber. dear Sir,
Yours yery sincerely,
THOHAS W. BLATOHFORD.
FROM THE RSY. MARK TUCKER, D. D.
Ellutotos, Conn., March 9, 1867.
My dear Brother: Dr. Coe, concerning whom you ask for my reminiscences,
was like a father to me, and I cherish his memory with something like a filial
affection. My acquaintance with him commenced in 1815, daring an extensiye
reyival of religion with which the city of Troy was then blessed. I was at that
time a student of Theology under Doctors Nott and Tates. I accompanied Dr.
Tates to Troy, and we remained there for some time. I had an opportunity of
obserying Dr. Goe's moyements in connection with the reyiyal, and was most
fkyourably impressed by his activity and zeal on the one hand, and his discre-
tion and cantion on the other.
Dt, Coe may be said to haye been a finished gentleman. Without the sem-
blance of any thing like artificial airs, his manners were bland, courteous, and
altogether exceedingly attractiye. I haye somehow got the impression that there
was a striking resemblance in respect to manners and genend bearing between
him and Dr. Rodgers of New Tork. Aa a preacher be did not aspiro to any high
literary excellence, l>nt always presented Diyine truth with great simplicity and
clearness, so that a child would neyer hesitate in regard to his meaning, while
yet his sermons were so instmctiye that the more intelligent might profit by
them. As a pastor, few equalled, none probably exceeded, him. He seemed to
look upon his people as a fkther upon his fikmily, and was always upon the alert
to do them good by eyery means in his power. At the bedside of the sick and
dying, and at funerals — indeed whereyer Christian sympathy and tenderness
were demanded, no man's ministrations were more appropriate or eifectiye than
his. And his general infinence through society was of the happiest kind-^-eyery
body reyered him--eyery body confided in him; for it was eyidenl that the spirit
of beneficence peryaded and controlled eyen his most common actions. The
secret of his great influence lay not in any extraordinary intellectual powers, but
in a perfectly symmetrical and wdl balanced character^by means of which each
of his ikcnlties was rendered in the highest degree ayailable. What bas been
said of Washington may be applied to him — his moral yirtues were all great
talents. His actual power may be estimated by the fact that he built up a noUe
church and congregation, embracing a large amount of talent, learning, and
wealth, and neyer in any d^ree lost his hold of them till the close of life. I
was present at his frmeral; and seldom is there witnessed more of respect, and
loyo, and genuine sorrow, than was manifested on that occasion. His imperfec-
tions (and he had as few as any minister I oyer knew) were like spots on the
jiun, coyered with a rich robe of light.
Tours trul^,
MARK TUCKER.
JAKES TUBKEIL 581
JAMES TURNER *
1791—1828.
Jahss Tubnxb, the son of Bichard and Nanoj (Johna) Turner, was
bom in Bedford County, Ya., Hay 7, 1769. His father was a fanner, and
liyed and died in the same oounty. His mother was a member of the Pres-
byterian Church, and, in her latter years particularly, was eminently devoted
to religion.
While he was yet quite a youth, he studied the Latin and Greek lan-
guages, in both of which his progress was veiy remarkable. He seems,
howeyer. to have been arrested prematurely in his education, as his know-
ledge of many branches, particularly of Mathematics and Philosophy, was
quite limited. At the age of seventeen, he was bearing arms'- as a soldier
in the army of ihe Beyolution.
He early formed the purpose of devoting himself to the study of the Law;
but in this he was signally defeated. On his way to the place whei^ he
was to prosecute his studies, he was robbed of his money and clothes, and
thus was induced to relinquish altogether the idea of the legal proifession ; —
a circumstance to which he was accustomed, afterwards, to advert with the
warmest gratitude.
At this period of his life, he was gay, profane, even profligate: he
scrupled not to trifle with the most sacred things, if he could thereby min-
ister to the merriment of those around him ; though he was never addicted to
those more degrading forms of vice, which almost necessarily render one an
outlaw from decent society. At a gaming party, or a horse race, or almost
any other scene of frivolity, he was always at home ; and, on one occasion
vfhon engaged in a horse race, he was thrown from his horse, and for some
time it was supposed that his neck was dislocated, and that he was actually
dead ; though he afterwards revived, and ultimately recovered.
In August, 1778, he was married to Sally, daughter of Colonel William
Leftwich of Bedford. This proved a most happy connection, and it con-
tinued for fifty years, lackbg a few mondis.
Soon after his marriage, he settled on a Uim in what was then regarded
the frontier part of the State, (Bedford County,) though it is now nearer
the middle. It does not appear that he intended to take any part in public
life ; much less had he, at that time^ any aspirations for either of the libe-
ral professions : but such were his social habits, and so acceptable did he
make himself to the community in which he lived, that, though still yery
young, he was elected to represent his county in the General Assembly of
the State. He did not, however, in this capacity, as &r as is known, par-
ticularly distinguish himseUL
The hopeful conversion of Mr. Turner took place in the year 1789.
Even when he professed to attend church, he rarely, if ever, entered
the house. On one occasion, when the Rev. Drury Lacy was preaek-
ing at Bedford, — as the preacher had an uncommonly fine, commanding
voice, Mr. Turner, who stood outside, was reached not only by the voice
of the preacher, but by an arrow of conviction. He went home m the
« MS. from hit MDy B«T. J. H. TnnMr.— Voote'i Sketehcs of Ya.) 2d BtrUf.
f582 .FUSBTTEBIiiff.
deepest mental agony ; and enoh was the angnish of his spirit, that, at mid-
night, the different members of the household were oalled together to join
in prayer that he might be delivered from the bnrden that so oppressed and
OTorwhelmed him. He availed himself of an early opportunity to acquaint
his pions mother ^ih the distress whioh had overtaken him ; but, instead
of expressing sympathy, as he expected, she bnrst forth in a tribute of
devont thanksgiving to Gk)d, saying that that was the veiy thing for which
she had been praying for years. At length the cloud passed away, and
his mind became serene and happy. He was at first somewhat perplexed in
regard to some of the doctrines of Christianity, but was ultimately led to
repose with great strength of conviction in the Calvinistic system.
Soon after this change of character, he began a course of public exhorta-
tion. Nor, in this exercise, did he confine himself to hb own neighbour-
hood, but, in company with his Pastor, the Bev. James Mitchel, performed
eitCDsive circuits of missionary labour in the destitute parts of the ndgh-
bonring counties. In this way, it soon became known that he had a remark-
able talent for public speaking, as well as uncommon seal for the promotion
of Christ's Kingdom ; and the Presbytery of Hanover, within whose bounds
be was exercising his gifts, soon encouraged him to give himself formally to
the work of the ministry. Accordingly, on the 29^ of October, 1791, at
the age of thirty-two, he was licensed by that Presbytery to preach the
Gkwpel. The f^l literary course required by the Presbyterian Book of
Discipline, was not exacted in his case, as it was judged to be one of those
extraordinary cases which would justify a departure from the rule.
On the 28th of July, 1792, he was ordained to the work of the ministry,
and installed as Colleague Pastor with the Bev. Mr. Mitchel, in what was then
called the Peaks Congregation,* but which was really three Congregations
with One Session. He also took charge of the New London Congregation.
Here he spent the whole of his ministerial life. He was several times urged
to change lus field of labour, but he seemed to regard his first charge as
having peculiar claims upon him, and no considerations that could be pre-
sented, were powerful enough to induce him to leave them.
It was much to the credit of Mr. Turner that he always evinced the
utmost respect and deference towards his aged and excellent colleague, the
Bev. Mr. Mitchel. They were exceedingly unlike, in both their natural
temperament and their style of preaching ; but there existed between 'them
the most perfect harmony, and there was nothing in Mr. Turner's deport-
ment to indicate that he was even aware of his having any popularity as a
preacher above that of his venerable associate. "^
Mr. Turner died on the 8th of January, 1828, within three months of
being sixty-nine years old. His health had been undiorgoing a gradual
decline, and the infirmities of age acoumulatmg upon him, for several years.
But, on the day of his death, he seemed unusually well and cheerful. He
was suddenly seised with violent suffocation, supposed to be the effect of a dis-
ease of the heart ; and he had only time to say that he was dying, and to com-
mit his soul to Ood, befbre his spirit was dislodged from its earthly tabernacle.
Mr. Turner was the father of fourteen children, seven of whom survived
him. Oiie of them, WiUiafn Leftmch^ was for some time Pastor of the
Church, and Principal of the Academy, at Baleigh, N. C; and in 1809
removed to Fayetteirille, where he was still engaged in both preaching and
teaching. He received the degree of Master of Arts from the University
JAMES TUBNEB. 553
of North Oarolina m 1810. He died greatly lamented, on the 2d of October,
1818^ He was a yonng man of strongly marked talents and oharaoter,
and of great promise; and his brief ministry at Fayetteyille was eminently
blessed. The grief of his &ther, occasioned by his death, was well nigh over-
whelming ; bnt he snbmissiyely remarked that he knew not how he conld
do a bettor thing than raise np children for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Another son, Jesse JET., entered ihe ministry, and is now (1860) a resident
of Bichmond, Ya. One other son became a practitioner of medicine, and
now resides in the Western Qoontry.
FROM THE BEY. S. L. GRAHAM, D. D.,
PBonssoB ur the raiov theological snovAmT, va.
Unox TnoLOOiOAL SmnrAET. >
Fbihos Edwabd Oounr, Ya., July 2S, 1B48. )
Rev. and dear Sir: James Tamer of Bedford Ooonty, oonoemmg whom you
inquire, was one of the most remarkable men of his day. Bh conversion, which
took place after his marriage, was a signal triumph of DiTine grace over a most
unpromising subject.
He was a man of real genius. He was, to a great extent, self-made; and yet
few men have, under the same circumstances, wielded a greater influence, or been
regarded with a warmer affection. His illustrations were, lor the most part,
entirely original, and well adapted to his subject. And though, if uttered by
others, many of them would have seemed tame, or perhaps excited a smile, yet
they neither degraded the speaker by vulgarity or ludicrousness, nor detracted
from the dignity of scriptural truth. Yery few men of his age equalled him in
originality. He was exceedingly attractive as a public speaker. Laige congre-
gations attended his preaching, and every body felt and acknowledged his won-
derful power.
One of the most prominent characteristics of his preaching was its simplicity.
He made you feel by his manner that his whole heart was open before you. The
most pathetic parts of his sermons were those in which some story was told, or
some appeal made, with all the artlessness of a child. I remember a striking
example that once occurred at the College Ohurch, in Prince Edward. He
simply remarked that he did not personally know the audience before him, but
be knew their fktbers and mothers, and the children by their resemblance to
them. The whole house was melted into tears. There was a magic power in the
manner in which this simple sentence was uttered, which made it perfoctly irre-
sistible. Its force, it is true, depended, in a degree, on what had preceded; but
the artless simplicity and impressive earnestness with which the whole was
uttered cannot easily be imagined.
Mr. Turner, in his power over the passions of men, was acknowledged to be
without a rivid among the clergy of Yirginia. Others probably excelled him in
vigour and elegance of diction, but in his ability to move the heart he had no
equal. The amount of emotion of which he was capable was amasing. The
physical frame of almost any other man would have sunk under it; and life
would have been destroy'ed. When his efforts in the pulpit were made under
favourable circumstances, his appeals were absolutely overwhelming, and his
command over his audience complete. His voice had sufBicient compass to be
heard in his conversational tones: it was soft and melodious, and yet sometimes
so awful as to make one quake. He could so utter emphatic phrases as to create
an impression which would never be lost. For example, on one ooisasion,
he so pronounced the simple sentence,^'' lifted up above the world/' in refbr-
ence to the Christian's triumph, as to leave an indelible impression on ray mind;
and though a boy when I heard it, it rings in my ears to this day Still the
584 FBS8BYTBSIAV.
tones of his yoioe w«n always thoso of Idndness and lore. Then was aodunf hi
his manlier menacfaigy or harsh, or repdiive. Ho ^oko as a fitthor to hk
children. Ho was novor deluded into the beliof that insolenee was Christian
boldness, or nnchari table denunciation, ministerial &ithlulness. I can onlj bmj
that to haye an adoquato idea of his eloquence, it would be necessary to see and
hear him.
But the crowning ezcellenoe of Mr. Turner was that he possessed an earnest
piety. This appeared on every occasion. He did nothing for effect. He did
not speak to shine, but to do good. Though he was one of nature's noblemen,
and such was the &me of his eloquence that persons travelled &r to hear him,
yet he was never tempted to any thing like ostentatious dispUy. To use one of.
his own sayings, his heart yearned oyer his people. He norer Ibrgot his com-
mission as a minister of Obrist, and was always serious in a serious cause, ffis
habits wore not what, in a strict sense, would be called studious, and he had no
great amount of book-learning; yet the most cultivated listened to him with a
respect felt for few others. It was his deep and fervent piety, in connection with
his wonderful gifts, which made him so eloquent, and opened Ibr him a passage
to all hearts. Men of iron nerves were borne away by the gushing tide of his
pious emotions. He seldom travelled beyond his own native county, and was
therefore known only by fkme in much the larger portion of the State.
Very truly yours,
S. L. GRAHAM.
FROM THE REY. W. S. PLUMER, D.D.
Baivdiou, Md., November 27, 1849.
Rev. and dear Sir : Ton ask for some of my recollections of the late Rev. James
Turner. I never was intimate with him, and new was at his house but once,
and that for not more than half an hour. Some of the company inquired con-
cerning his health. He repled, — " It is not pleasant to fill the ears of our friends
with the tnlo of our infirmities, but I cannot tell a lie— I am not well;" and
immediately began to inquire respecting the prospects of religion in a distknt
part of the country.
I never heard him preach but twice. He was then aged and quite infirm. The
first time 1 heard him was at a meeting of Hanover Presbytery in Lynchburg,
in the fall of 1820. My expectation was high. But he fiir transcended it. The
last time 1 heard him was at a meeting of the Synod of Virginia, in the same
place, not long before his death. Between him and the late Dr. Baxter had long
existed a Yery strong and tender friendship. Though Ywy difierent in their men-
tal liabits, yet their hearts were alike ' warm, tender and generous. Dr. Baxter
offered tho prayer before the sermon, and when he asked God to bless his sged
servant, and enable him once more to bear a good testimony for Christ, his emo-
tions were irrepressible. I believe every devout man in that house said Jtwiin to
that prayer. And it was answered. For although Mr. Turner's discourse had
less logical connection than the one I had heard before, its spiritual power and
its impressiveness were even greater. The audience was very large. There
were present learned Doctors of Divinity, and many less distinguished deigy-
men, lawyers, physicians, merchants, fitrroers, wagoners, boatmen, nagroes,
persons of both sexes and of all ages. They all seemed to be deeply aflbcted,
and in the same way. He invariably put his hearers off their guard by making
the most plain and simple remarks. A little child could not have seemed more
artless. Indeed you were often smiling at the fitmiliarity of his illustrations.
Tet all of a sudden, — ^you knew not how, — ^but by remarks no less simple, yet
inimitably pathetic, you would be bathed in tears, and even imnvulsed with weep-
ing. But in the midst of a tumult of feeling, which I never saw surpassed, he
JAKES TUBNEB. g85
wonldj hy a sentenoe^ relieve the whole andieiice. Indeed^ aome peraoiiB felt^ at
Boeh sudden changeB^ a great desize to laugh. Thej^ were not theur own masters.
I felt greatly ashamed to he seen langhitfg, and covered my head. At last I saw
the late Dr. John H. Rice aifected just as I was. This rdieyed me for the time.
Yet there was no levity there. The preacher was as solemn as any man I ever
saw. Had he at any moment said^ — *' let ns pray," I suppose every man in the
house Wonld ba?e felt that it was proper. Indeed, in less than five minutes from
the time I found myself laughing, I was weeping convulsively at his description
of the love of Christ, and the joys of Heaven. I do not know that I have ever
seen a more solemn impression made on a large congregation, than hy that ser-
mon.
Mr. Turner had great advantages as a preacher. He was a large man with
noble features, and a very pleasant yet commanding voice. ' His emotions, how^
ever strong, never impaired the strength, sweetness, or clearness, of his tones.
He was naturally what Quintilian calls a good man. His impulses were noble
and generous. Even in the days of his irreligion, he had despised meanness,
and maintained a high reputation for candour. Every one who saw him believed
that he was a sincere and kind man. I think I have never seen any man, in
whom there was such an exuberance of what the French call ** bonhomie" as in
Mr. Turner. Then he always regarded and spoke of himself as a miracle of
grace. His gratitude to Christ seemed to be like the waters of a mighty river.
Ho never appeared so joyous as when speaking of the love of Christ to his chosen
people.
I never saw but one James Turner in the pulpit, and I do not expect ever to
see another. I would readily travel a hundred miles to hear such a sermon as
either of those I heard from him. I have never seen any man sway an audience
as he did. Old and young, learned and unlearned, saint and sinner, the white
man and the black man, felt and owned his power.
Mr. Turner had not read very much. Tet ho was &r, far removed from igno-
rance. He was well acquainted with the best practical writers, and he had
studied his whole Bible with much prayer to Qod, and with a groat love for the
truth. He well understood the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel, and preached
them constantly. He was a lover of good men, and a lover of peace. He prac-
tised on the principle that ** one hour of brotherly love is worth a whole eternity
of contention;'* yet he firmly defended truth and righteousness, when they were
assailed.
He saw great afflictions in his day, but they were sanctified to him. When
I last saw him, he had buried seven of his children, but they had died in faith.
His allusion to his shortly meeting them in Heaven produced in the audience a
degree of emotion which it would have been dangerous to prolong. It will sur-
prise no one to hear that he was quite unequal in his preaching. Though always
humble, he seemed peculiarly mortified when he did not succeed. This I havo
heard from others.
He was a great fHend of Theological Seminaries, and of all good institutions.
Thousands remember his masterly, though brief, commendations of the Bible
Society. In the last sermon which I heard from him, he greatly oommended
it. He was, in few words, a great, humble, eloquent, candid, affectionate, fear^
less man of Qod. He left few, if any, enemies behind him. Thousands on
earth still remember his preaching as the most exciting exercise to Which they
ever listened. .
Yery respectfblly and affectionately yours,
WM. S. PLUKEB.
7ot HI. 74
586 PBSSBTSsauii.
FBOK THB BBY. JESSE H. TUBNEB
BiOHKOtfSi Ta., December 28, 1847.
Bey. and dear Sir: Notwithstanding the delica<7 that may seem to attach to
the testimony of a son in respect to a yenerated and beloyed parent, I cannot
bring myself to refbse your request for some reminiscences of my lamented
father.
My fiither's early adyantages for education, as you may haye learned firom
other sources, were not yery extensiye. Neyertheless, from his constant perusal,
or I should rather say careful study, of the best writers on Diyinity, in connec-
tion with a naturally correct taste, fajs use of language in his public discourses
did not offend eyen the most ikstidious ear. I neyer saw any one who had a
greater passion for reading than he. On seyeral occasions, while I was with him
on a yisit, he asked me if I could not procure for him some new work, and
remarked that he had read all the books in his own small library oyer and oyer
again. Baxter, Bunyan, Owen, were among his fiiyourite authors; but I dis-
tinctly recollect hearing him say that Bobert Hall, in respect to boUi sentiment
and style, came nearer to his htau ideal than any other man.
I would like to say something, and indeed I ought to say something, in regard
to his manner in the pulpit; but it is so difficult to do him justice in this respect
that I almost shrink from the attempt. Howeyer, I will do the best I can. In
his exordium he was solemn, but perfectly natural and simple. You would haye
supposed that any child might say the same things in the same way. He
seemed to seise at once upon whateyer was prominent or striking in his text, and
to present it in the most forcible and impressiye manner. At the b^gbning, the
tone of his yoice was always low, strongly resembling a fiuniliar conyersation
with his hearers. But gradually and imperceptibly warming with his subject,
and at the same time eleyating his yoice, he frequently, — ^I may say generally,
gained the entire control of his audience; — moying, melting, and swaying them
just as he pleased; and all this without the slightest apparent effort on his part.
I haye, on more than one occasion, gone to hear him preach, resolyed that I
would not allow myself to be excited by him. But, notwithstanding my resolu-
tion,, his simple and unpretending manner would throw me entirely off my
guard> and, before I was aware of it, I found that he was leading me whither-
soeyer he listed.
The itiubjects on which he preached were, I think, as yaried as usual. But
if there was one in which he delighted more than in any other, and which seemed
to stir his soul to its lowest depths, it was the grace of God as displayed in the
salyation of the sinner. His main, object seemed to be to conyince the sinner
that God did not destroy him, but that he destroyed himself, and was therefore
wholly responsible for bis own ruin.
He was accustomed to prepare his sermons with yery considerable care. It is
true that he neyer wrote them out at full length, but usually wrote, oh a yery
small piece of paper, and in as ibw words as possible, the leading ideas on which
he was to dweU, indnding the diyisions and subdiyisions of his discourse. This
paper, thus prepared, he placed between the leayes of a small pocket Bible,
where it remained till it was needed for use. In the morning, before preaching,
making use of these short notes, he carefhlly studied his subject — ^I mean the
sentiment, not the words, — for I haye heard him say that he trusted to the occa-
sion for the form of expression. In preaching, he always held his little BiUe in
his hand, referring frequently to his notes. I think it probable that, without his
notes for a security, he would often haye found himself unable readily to recall
the train of thought which he had projected.
My fiither was blessed with an eminently successful ministry. I distinctly
recollect three extensiye reyiyals among his people, as the result of whkh a yery
jJLMBS'TimiriB. ^7
coDBiderable namber were gathered into the Ohnrch. In addition to thig, a con-
stant blessing seemed to attend his ministrations, in the frequent oonyersion
of souls in a more qoiet^nd. silent way.
He was a pioneer in the cause of Temperance. In the year 1818, before there
was any excitement on this subject^ he preached earnestly in fitTOur of the prin-
ciple of total abstmence; and not without effect, — ^for several of the families in
his congregation from that time adopted the principle. By the way, I belieye
this sermon on Temperance was one of the only two sermons which he eyer wrote
out. It was heard by an old and much valued friend of his, who had formerly
been an elder in his church, but had remoyed to the " fiur West;" and he was so
much interested in it, that, by his earnest request, my &ther wrote it out
after it was delivered, and gave him a copy of it.
In his intercourse with his brethren in the ministry, he was always in a high
degree cordial, confiding and affectionate. A little incident which I beg leave to
relate, will illustrate this trait of his character. On a certain occasion, there was a
considerable revivid in one of his congregations. Dr. Baicter, who then lived in
the Valley of Virginia, some forty miles distant, — well knowing how acceptable
his services would be at such a time, came to pay my fiither a visit, — ^bringing
with him a considerable number of his young people, that they might mingle in
the revival, and become imbued with its spirit. At the first opportunity, the
Doctor was requested to preach. The sermon was a good one, — a very good one,
as all Dr. Baxter's were, but stiU, as my father thought, was marked by too
little zeal and unction. As soon, therefore, as he took his seat, my fitther
remarked to him, — " This wont do. Doctor, you must try again." The next
day the Doctor preachiMl again, and was then told that he had done better, but
still it would not do yet Before the third effort, his heart had become thoroughly
warmed, and, under the influence of his lively feelings, he delivered a sermon
which produced a powerftil effect. When he sat down, my father laid his hand
upon his shoulder, and said, — " This tinfl do; now go home and preach in this
manner to your own people, and I doubt not that you will soon be blessed with a
revival." He was intimately associated with most of the more prominent Pres-
byterian ministers in Virginia of his day; but with no one did he maintain a more
delightfel fraternal intercourse than with Dr. Baxter. For a considerable time,
they had their residence in the same neighbourhood; and when, afterwards, they
were separated by a greater distance, in consequence of Dr. B.'s removal, they
still cherished for each other the warmest affection, and weksomed their less fre-
quent meetings, as occasions of great and mutual interest.
With sentiments of sincere esteem,
I am, dear Sir, yours affectionately,
J. H. TURHEfi.
588 FBESBTTEBUir.
JOHN ANDERSON, D. D *
1791— 1886,
John Andxbson was the son of William and Ann (Donnj) Andonon,
and was born in Ooilford County, N. 0., on the 10th of April, 1767. His
paternal grandfather emigrated from the North of Ireland to this country;
and Au father was a native of Scotland ; so that his eztraotion is that which
is commonly known as Scotch Irish. His ancestry, as far as it can be
traced, was uniformly Presbyterian.
His father's occupation was that of a &rmer; and he himself worked on
a farm until he was sixteen years of age. When he was about seyenteen,
he entered the Academy of the Rey. David Oaldwell, one of the most emi-
nent teachers of his day, where he received his entire classical and theologi-
cal educaUon. His mind became first permanently impressed with Divine
truth, during an awakening in the Academy, which occurred under the
labours of the Rev. James McQready, who had himself been hopefully con-
verted through the instrumentality of the Rev. Joseph Smith of Pennsylva-
nia, and had wandered, on a preadung tour, as far South as North Caro-
lina.
Mr. Anderson was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Orange, N.
C, in the year 1791, and shortly afterwards was ordained as an evangelist.
He commenced his labours in the Southern part of North Carolina, and the
Northern part of South OaroUna; and in this field passed the first two
years of his ministerial life. From 1798 to 1798 or 1799, he itinerated
through the States of Tennessee and Kentucky, someUmes crossing the
Ohio, and preaching to the settlements in what is now Ohio and Indiana.
During these years, he travelled without aid from any missionary associa-
tion, and was not only subjected to great privations and dangers, but actu-
ally suffered for want of the means of an adequate support.
In 1801, he began his labours in Upper Buffalo Church, Washington
County, Pa., and was installed as its Pastor the next year.' Here he con-
tinued to hold the pastoral relation, with great acceptance and usefulness,
until it was dissolved, by his own request, on account of declining health,
on the 16th of January, 1888.
He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Washington College,
Pa., in the year 1821.
Dr. Anderson never had a vigorous physical constitution, and yet he so
husbanded his strength as to perform a vast amount of labour. He con-
tinued to preach regularly un^ within eighteen months of his death, and
occasionally until within four months of it. His last illness was a chronic
affection of the throat and lungs — ^in fiust the winding up of a disease under
which he had laboured a quarter of a century. He died at his own resi-
dence, surrounded by all his children except one, on the 6th of January,
1886, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His last hours were eminently
peaceful, and his only hope and only glorying were in the cross of Christ.
He was married, March 10, 1800, to Rebecca, daughter of James and
Elisabeth (Morrison) Byers, of Westmoreland County, Pa. They had ten
• MS. fton hii mm. Iter. W. 0. Andenon, D. D.— App. to Lifb of Uaomdj.
JOHN AKDSBfiOir. 589
oliildren, eight of whom reached maturity. Two of them have been gradu-
ated at Washington College, Pa. William C. (now the Bey. Dr.) Ander-
son, who was graduated in 1824, is well known as a prominent oleigjman
in the Presbyterian Ohuroh ; and John, a younger son, who was graduated
at the same College in 1834, is engaged in oommercial and other kindred
pursuits. Mrs. Anderson died on the 16th of Deoember, 1854.
Dr. Anderson conducted the theological education of a large number of
young men, some of whom have since risen to eminence in the Church.
He was also, during the whole of his pastoral life, eztensiyely engaged in
missionary operations. He was one, if not of the originators, at least of
the most actiye members, of the Old Board of Trustees of the Western
Missionary Society ; and under its direction he made seyenl tours to the
Wyandotte Indians on the Sandusky Biyer. He was ako largely instru-
mental in founding the mission on the Maumee, and yisited it once in com-
pany with the Bey. E. Macurdy, with a yiew to settle some existing diffi-
culties. After the transfer of that station to the United Foreign Mission-
ary Society, he became one of the most efficient supporters of that Society,
and subsequently of the American Board of Commissioners for - Foreign
Missions, into which it was merged. In formbg the present Qeneral Assem-
bly's Board' of Foreign Mbsions at Pittsburg, in 1881, he took a most
liyely interest, and extended to it his cordial and active support till the
close of life.
It is not known that Dr. Anderson published any thing, except a series
of articles on the Popish controyersy, and another series on the Temperance
question — ^both in the Pittsburg Becorder.
FROM THE BEY. SAMUEL MoFARREN, D. D.
CoMoauiTT, Pa., October 16, 1866.
Dear Sir: My opportunities for becoming acquainted with the character of the
late Dr. John Anderson, were abundant. My personal acquaintance with him,
it is true, commenced when he was in the decline of life, and I quite a youth.
But I enjoyed the acquaintance of many ministers and other persons, who knew
him well, and were associated with him in the earlier part of his ministry, and
of their estimate of his character I haye no doubt. Though brought-up at a
distance of some twenty miles from his pastoral charge, I frequently heard him
preach during my boyhood. When I was a student at College, he was Presi-
dent of the Board of Trustees. I afterwards prosecuted my theological studies
under his direction, and, during one year, boarded in his family, and attended
constantly on hb ministry.
In person, Dr. Anderson was rather aboye the ordinary height; and, at least
towards the close of his Hfb, was inclined to stoop. His form was slender, his
yisage thin, and his complexion cadayerous. He had a small, dark eye, which
was occasionally lighted up in couTersation, and more especially in the pulpit, so
as to be yery animated and piercing.
As a man, he was characterized by great plainnees and simpiimty of manner,
and by candour, sincerity, and straightforwardness, in all his intercourse with
society. He had little taste for display or ceremony, and would neyer stoop to
any thing approaching to finesse. Unassuming and unostentations himself, the
effqrts of others to display themselyes nerer deoeiyed him. He had a keen dis-
crimination of character, ,and Msily penetrated any disguise that might be
assumed. He was emphatically a loyer of peace— kind and courteous towarda
all. While he rarely, if eyer, gaye offence, he was entirely free from that morbid
590 FSESBTTBBIAir.
iftensUiTeoess which often takes offence where pone is intended. Biit, with all
hid pieaoeable tendencies, he possessed great moral ooorage, and never hesitated
to reboke yice fearlessly, wheneyer there was occasion. A striking instance of
this was his opposition to the use of intoxicating drinks, at a time when the
practice of drinking was almost nniyersal. Years before there was any general
moYement on the subject, he had succeeded in inducing a large part of his con-
gregation to adopt the principle of total abstinence, and banish the bottle from
their harvest fields.
As a pastor, he had the entire confidence of his people. That he possessed
great power as a preacher was felt by all who heard him; and yet few of them
perhaps could tell wherein his strength lay. In his appearance in the pulpit, in
the tones of his voice, or the manner of his delivery, there was nothing pecu-
liarly attractive or commanding. Nor had he a remarkably brilliant imagina-
tion; nor did he often make a direct attempt to arouse the passions of his audi-
ence; but yet there was something in his preaching which never fiuled to secure
an earnest attention, and not unfrequently his hearers would be so absorbed as
entirely to forget the preacher in the subject.
One characteristic which contributed much to the effect of his disoonrses, was
their remarkable perspicuity. Having himself a perfectly clear peroepUon of the
ideas he wished to convey, he expressed them clearly, without repetition or cir-
cumlocution. He was never tedious, — ^never dwelt on an idea, turning it over
and over until his audience became wearied.
And then there was a deep solemnity and earnestness in his manner. His eye
and his countenance indicated that he felt himself to be standing between the
living and the dead, and treating with man, as God's ambassador, on the most
momentous of all suljects. Sven the hardened profiigate was not unfrequently
moved by his solemn and earnest expostulations.
But that which more than any thmg else gave power to his preaching, was his
skill in dealing with the conscience— laying open to his hearers the secret work-
ings of their own hearts. He was eminently what is sometimes denominated
a searching preacher; and it was on this account perhaps as much as any other,
that his preaching found so much fiivour, especially with serious Ohristians and
anxious inquirers.
In his preparation for the pulpit, at least in the later years of his ministry,
he made but little use of the pen; and never, it is believed, pre^ch^^ with even
short notes before him. But no intelligent hearer could doubt that his subject
had been thoroughly digested, and the matter of his discourse carefully and logi-
cally arranged, in his own mind. Hence the leading points of hi^ subject were
easily remembered and recalled by the attentive hearer. His manner of sermon-
izing was somewhat peculiar, and such as could not be safely copied by others.
An anecdote illustrative of this latter remark now occurs to me:--One of Dr.
Anderson's co-presbyters, who greatly admired hun, and had undertaken, it
appears, to make him his model in the pulpit, complained to a minister!^ brother
that, for several weeks, he had not eijoyed his ordinary freedom in preaching,
and had, in his own estimation, fiillen ikr below his common standard. '*»Btit at
length," said he, " I have discovered the reason-rl have been trying to work with
John Anderson's tools." But notwithstanding the typo of his sermons was
peculiar, there WM great variety^ not only in the matter of which they were scan-
posed, but in their topftnre and form. And hence his people, never grew wmfj
of him, — never desired a chan^; but reluctantly, consented to his |c|ismis8ion,
when the infirmities of age com]i>elied him to ask a release prdtpL pastorfj duties.
'As a teacher of Theology, he iobik a deep mteresi in devcjioping the native.ti^-
ent of his pni^ls. Whilst he shnnned that pawkish dislike for all c(introv9rsy»
which wo^d allow the iiutik to SuJfar rather than incur opp^tioh ^ its defence^
his aim was to train his pupils for preaching the truth ratbc^ ^luui figuring in
JOHN AH&EBSON. 591
polemics. ** Preach the Gospel ; put as much Gospel as possiUe into every dis-
course," — ^was the suhstance of his oft-repeated adyioe.
In estimating the talents and attainments of Dr. Anderson, the disadvantages
under which he lahoured ought not to he overlooked. Several of the earlier
years of his ministry were spent in itinerant labours. This seemed to be required
by the feeble state of his health. He has been heard to say that the Presbytery,
when they licensed him, expected him to preach a few sermons, and then die.
That the work of an itinerant missionary is very unfavourable to habits of study,
it is easy to see. After his settlement, the extent of his charge was such as to
require much of his time for pastoral engagements. And even if other duties
had not prevented, the state of his health was never such as to admit of intense
and long continued application tb his studies. Add to all this, that his library,
owing to the scantiness of his support, was always small. That he should have
attained, notwithstanding all these disadvantages, such eminence in the Ohurch,
and among his brethren, certainly proves that his natural endowments were of
a high order. But his highest praise is that these endowments were consecrated
to the service of that Blessed Master in whom he trusted for redemption, and
whose glory he sought as the great end of his life and labours.
Very truly yours,
S. MoFABREN.
JAMES BLTTHE, D- D *
1791—1842.
James Blythb, the son of James and Elisabeth Blythe, was bom in
Mecklenburg County, N. C, October 28, 1766. Both his parents were of
Scottish extraction. His father seems to have designed him from his youth
for one of the liberal professions, and hence he was edrly placed at a gram-
mar school in his native county, to learn Latin and Greek. The study of
Latin, however, proved so distasteful to him, that he begged to be permit-
ted to lay it aside ; and his father gravely assented, but, at the same time,
directed him to be in readiness to drive one of his wagons to Charleston.
The boy, knowing that there was no alternative, submitted to the requisi-
tion ; but, on his return, assured his father that the journey had cured him
of his aversion to Latin, and that he was more ths^n willing to return to his
studies. He, accordingly, did resume them, and, in due time, joined Hamp-
den Sidney College, where he completed his scientific and classical course
under the Presidency of Dr. John Blair Smith, ^e was a professor of
religion before he went to College ; but so adverse to the culture of the spirit-
ooL mind were all the influences by which he was there surrounded^ that
he out loose from the restraints of a Christian profession, and passed among
his gay associates for a thorough devotee to worldly vanities. It was a
singular cireumstanoe by which he was brought to reflection, and recovered
from his wanderings. A student in College with whom he was intimate,
and whom he had known only as a companion in levity and sin, had beoome
deeply impressed with the importance of religion, and had shut himself up
in his room fpr. tho purpose of reading his Bible, and supplicating the
• M88. fton his ftmily.— PaTfdfon'f Hlii. Fkwb. Gh.^ Ej.
592 PBBBBTTBRIAir.
renewing inflnenoe of the Holy Spirit Wliile he was thui engtged in these
secret exerobes, young Blythe oame to the door and knocked, and as he
receiyed no answer, he continued knocking, and with so much yiolence that
his comrade within feared that the door would be forced open ; and, there-
fore, he unlocked it, and let him in. As he entered the room^ he took up a
book which lay upon the bed, and found that it was a Bible. " Do you
read such a book as this ? " — ^was Blythe 's inquiry. His finend was strongly
tempted for the moment to conceal his conyictions, and turn the whole into
ridicule ; but he summoned resolution to acknowledge the truth, which was
that his conscience was heavily burdened with a sense of his sinfulness.
Blythe burst into tears, and told him that there was much more hope for
him than for himself; for that he had been, for some time, a professor of
religion, and had been living in open violation of his Christian obligations.
From that time, however, Blythe broke away from the influences which had
ensnared him, and engaged heartily and efficiently in the ^Uscharge of his
various Christian duties ; and this event marked the commencement of an
extensive revival of religion.
Having graduated at Hampden Sidney, in 1789, and devoted some time
to the study of Theology, under the direction of the Bev. Dr. Hall of
North Carolina, Mr. Blythe was licensed by the Orange Presbytery ; and
in the fall of 1791, he visited Kentucky, and preached at Paint Lick, and
other places. On the 25th of July, 1798, he was ordained and installed
Pastor of Pisgah and Clear Creek Churches. At this time, there was great
danger from the iDoursions of the Indians ; and he has been beard to say
that it was the custom of every man to attend preaching armtd^ and that
even the minister carried his rifle and rode with his holsters. He resigned
his charge, after having held it but a short time, and for a series of years
was annually appointed a stated supply by the Presbytery. In this way he
luiDistered to the Pisgah Church, upwards of forty years.
On the 1st of August, 1798, he was married to Margaret, daughter of
James and Margaret (Irving) McElroy, who had removed to Kentucky from
Bockbridge County, Va.
When the Presbytery of Transylvania were engaged in establishing the
Kentucky Academy, Mr. Blythe and the Bev. David Bice were associated,
in 1795, in an agency through the Eastern States, in aid of that object.
Their effort was very successful, as they obtained upwards of ten thousand
dollars. Of this sum President Washington and Vice President* Adams
contributed each a hundred dollars, and Aaron Burr, fifty. When, in 1798,
the Academy was merged in the University of Transylvania, Dr. Blythe
was appointed Professor of Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, Astronomy,
and Geography ; and subsequently he was the acting President of the Insti-
tution for twelve or flfteen years. When Dr. Holley was elected Presi-
dent, in 1818, Dr. Blythe was transferred to the chair of Chemistry in the
Medical department. This place he resigned in 1881.
The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the College
of New Jersey, in 1805.
In connection with his Professorship he held a pastoral charge, bemg
associated, for some years, with the Bev. James Welsh,* ha Colleague Pas-
JAHSS BLTTHS. 593
tor of die Oliaroli in Lexbgton. The oo-pastonhip is said to haye been
less harmonions than eonld haye been desired..
He was strongly opposed to the war of 1812 ; and, in oonseqnenoe of his
poUtioal opinions, beeame inyolyed in a oontroyersj with Mr, Willuon
L. MoCalla, then a candidate for lioensure, and holding an opposite political
creed. Mr. MoOalla arraigned him at the bar of his Presbytery, on a
yariety of charges, and the case was finally referred to Synod. In respect
to seyeral points Dr. Blythe made dne acknowledgments, and on the whole,
was honourably acquitted.
In 1812, he commenced publishing a monthly periodical, called *' The
Eyangelioal Record and Western Beyiew ; " wUch, howeyer, reached only
to the seqond yolume. '
About the time that he resigned the Presidency of the OoUege, he estab-
lished a Seminary for young ladies, in which were introduced many of the
higher branches of education, especially the Mathematics and Natural
Science. He was exceedingly thorough in his instructions, and his influence
in this department was widely and deeply felt.
In 1816, he was Moderator of the (General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Ohurch.
In 1881, he attended the Oonyention of delegates from the Presbyteries,
which met at Cincinnati, at the suggestion of the General Assembly, on the
subject of Domestic Missions, and was chosen Moderator. In 1884, he
signed the memorable "Act and Testimony; " and in 1835, was one of the
standing committee of the OonyenUon at Pittsburg, called by those who
had signed that instrument. In 1837, he was one of the Conyention of
ministers and elders, which met in Philadelphia on the 11th of May, to
deliberate on '* some plan of reform" in the Church ; and of this Body he
was elected temporary chairman. In the great controyersy that diyided the
Church, his sympathies and acts were with the Old School party.
In 1832, Dr. Blythe was chosen President of South Hanoyer College,
Ind. He accepted the appointment ; and, for seyeral years, fulfilled Uie
duties of the office to great acceptance, at the same time giving more or less
gratuitous instruction in the Theological Seminary in the samp place. In
1836, he resigned the Presidency of the College, and, wishing still to labour
to the extent of his ability, he accepted an inyitation in October, 1837,
from the New Lexington Church, ten mUes from Hanoyer, where he con-
tinued to preach until a few months before his death, when declining health
obliged him to desist from labour.
In the autumn of 1841, Dr. Blythe's health bpgan yery perceptibly to
&il, though he still preached occasionally, and was able to read and eigoy
the society of his friends. After a few months, his disease, which was
dropsy, took on a more decided form, and from that time he had only brief
interyals of relief from suffering until his death. He yiewed the iEkpproach
of death with the utmost serenity of mind, and bore the fullest testimony
to the all-sustaining power of Christian faitii. He died on the 20th of
May, 1842, aged seyenty-seyen ; and was buried in a small enclosure on his
own ground at Hanoyer.
ton and Geonetown Ohnrohw, Febmuy 17, 1T96, in whleh eharge he eoatinnad tfll ISM. On
Mooimt of ufl inadequato nkiT, he was obliged to nraolise medidne for the loppori of Mi
flunUy. In 1799, he was appointed Profeiior of andmit laagingai in TnujlfaBH UniTer*-
iitj.
Vol. in. 76
594 FRESBYTERIAK.
Br. Blythe published the Sermon which he deliTered on Ukiiig learo
of his Ohoroh at LezingtoDi 1882, and one or two other oooasional dis-
oonrses.
Dr. Bljthe had twelve ohildren, — five sons and seyen daughters. Three
only of bis sons liyed to reach manhood. The eldest was killed in the bat-
tle of the Biyer Baisin, at the age of eighteen. His second son died a few
months previoos to the completion of his college course. His third son
{Samuel Daoies) was bom March 27, 1804 ; was graduated at Transylyania
University in 1824 ; entered the Theologicd Seminary at Princeton imme^
diately after his graduation, where he remained three years ; was licensed
to preach by the Presbytery of New Brunswick in 1827 ; acted as Agent
of the American Bible Society during the winter of 1827-28 ; was settled
in the autumn of 1828 as Pastor of the Church in Hillsboro', 0., and
resigned his chaise after a few years for want of adequate support ; beoame
stated supply at South Hanover, Ind., for foar years ; was afterwards settled
in the Tabernacle Church in Philadelphia, but remained there for only a
short time ; was settled at Woodbury, N. J., in 1887, where, in connection
with his pastoral labours, he conducted a classical school ; ruptured a blood
yessel while preaching in Philadelphia, in 1841, in consequence of which he
q^ed preaching for a year, without giving up his school ; resumed preach*
ing at the end of a year, — shortly after which, decided symptoms of pul-
monary consumption appeared, of which he died in June, 1848. His fourth
son, Joseph PT., has been for many years Pastor of the Church in Cran*
berry, N. J. His fifth son, James £.,is a lawyer in In<tiana. Mrs. Blythe,
who was a lady of fine intellect, and most exemplary Chrislaan chanUster,
died in January, 1886. She fell dead in the street, as she was retnming
home from a visit of mercy to a poOr woman.
FROM THE BEY. WILLIAM fitLL, D. t).
WnroKMfia, Ya., September 7, 1848*
Rev. and dear Sir: Mj knowledge of Dr. Blythe commenced when we were
students to||;etherat Hampden Sidney College. Though he was three, or fbur
years older than myself, our acquaintance, after we both became specially inter-
ested In the subject of r^igion, grew into a most intimate fiiendship. But when
we left College, he returned to North Carolina, his native State, and soon after
removed to Kentucky, where he spent much the greater part of his liib. As our
fields of labour were so distant from each other, we seldom met after we parted
at College; though we occasionally exchanged letters, and always retained a
deep interest in each others' welfiure. A few years before his death, we were
thrown more together, and twice we served together as Commissioners to the
General Assembly, where we had an opportunity of mutnally reviving early
recollections.
Dr. Blythe was unquestionably a man of superior talents, and of very con-
siderable erudition. He was a fluent and ready speaker, and in the polpit espe-
(cialiy had a good degree of iiurvour and animation. I doubt not that his duties
as Professor in the College considerably mterfered with his success as a preadier
and a pastor ; and yet I believe he always considered the duties of the ministry
as paramount to those of the Professorship. His lectures, especially on Chem-
istry, were highly popular and usefbl. He probably showed bis strength as a
leetnrer, a disciplinarian; and a debater in ecdesiasticai bodies^ even more than
in the pulpit, t have never heard the consistency or the puri^ of his Christian
or ministerial character called in question by any one.
JAMXS BLTISB.
695
In person, Dr. Blythe was UU and stnight; his ftoe was br^ad and of rnddj
complexion; and his gait and general appearance dignified almost to sternnesSi
There was something in his manner, whidi at first would be yery likely to leaye
an impression that he lacked affability; but it quickly disappeared on an acquain-
tance with him, and yon felt that he was not wantmg in a kindly and genial dis-
position. He had great tenacity of purpose, and was always candid, and some-
times a little abrupt, in the expression of his opinions. He was
" A man.resolved and steady to his trust:
" Inflexible to aU and obsthiately Just."
He commanded great respect wherever he was known, and filled an important
place in society with marked dignity and useftilnefis.
Yours yery respectfully,
WILLIAM HILL.
FROM THE RET. E. D. MoMASTER, D. D.
PExsinniiT or wuja vxiysasiTr.
MxAxi UimmsiTr, Noyember 80, 1848.
Bey. and dear Sir: My personal acquaintance with the late Bey. Dr. Blythe
was confined to the last three years and a half of his life,-— I haying preyiously
seen him on only one occasion a few years before, as a member of the General'
Assembly of the Presbyterian Ohurch. I, therefore, — ^though during this period
my intercourse with him was firequent, intimate and cordial,— feel myself less com-
petent to giye a truthful and adequate delineation of his character, than if I had
known him during his earlier years, and in the meridian of his life. The impression
I received of him, I, under this disadvantage, send to you, in compliance with your
request, to make such use of it as you may see fit,— only regretting that the
representation is not more worthy of the subject.
One introduced to the acquaintance of Dr. Blythe, during the period I knew
him, would have seen a gentleman advanced to a good old age, of portly person
and commanding presence; of ^ture a little above the medium he^ht; a flrame
stoutly built; a habit fhll but not corpulent, and of sanguineous complexion and
temperament; a countenance j of features strongly enough marked, but regular
and pleasbg; and a large and well-formed head with a full covering of whitened
locks,— -the hoary head, in him a crown of glory, because found in the way of
righteousness; thongh well stricken in years, erect and firm in posture; of stately
gait and dignified mien, and of manners at first sight a little formal and stiff, but
which soon relaxed into a demeanour bland, courteous and cordial.
If any one, admitted to his friendship and confidence, had the heart in cold
Uood to apply the dissecting knife to the character of this fine old gentleman, so
venerable for years and his services to religion and learning, now gone to his
reward with God, no doubt he might be able to indicate in that chancter some
defects and infirmities; for some imperfections are implied in the possession of
our common nature. I have no disposition to such an occupation; 4nd t have
no hesitation in saying that in our venerable friend, over any hnperlbetions,
Whateter they were, which a critical eye might have discerned, those qualitiMi
worthy of approval and respect greatly predominated, and that his charaeier
was one of much and tarious exceHehce.
The mannera of Dr. Blythe, in public bodies and in private life, ex!hibited a;
certain iur which, to a casual observer, or to an unfriendly eye, m^t seem to
savour, of ostentatiousness and assumption of superiority. Thi« ippearanoe,
hdilr^yer, scarcely existed beyond the threshold of interoonrse. This passed, hii'
wHoIe deportment was in an unusual degree open, fi^, communloattve and kind.
Towwrd those for whom he had no respect^ his bearing was apt to be such as to
596 PRESBTTERIAK.
indicate in what light he viewed them; and where he thought there was imperti-
nent ohtrnsiveness, he often put on an ezproasion of contempt and eoornfidness,
which it were better to avoid even toward those who may provoke it. Yet one
conciliatory word was at any time enough to dispel all this. apparent seTerity,
and to melt him into- kindness, not less toward the humblest individual, than
toward those who stood highest in his esteem. There was, in the expression of
his sentiments, both on public occasions and in private intercourse, a positive-
ness, which, to those not fhlly acquainted with him, may have given the impros-
don of clogmatism. But I have never known a man, by his years and standing
so well entitled to have his own opinions respected, more ready to listen with
candid attention, and yield all due respect, to the views of other men. What-
ever partial exceptions may have at times appeared in this respect, his manners
were habitually in an eminent degree urbane, social and cordial. Especially
toward every good man,-— by him apprehended to be such, his heart went out in
expressions of warm and kindly affection.
In his domutie relaHon$3 he appeared to unusual advantage. "For the memory of
the wife of his youth and riper age, (deceased some years before I knew him,) who
seems to have been a lady well Worthy the regards he bestowed upon her, he, tUl the
dose of his life, cherished a deep, tender and most affectionate respect. Among
his children who remained with him, and all of whom were grown up, he dwelt,
as it becomes a fkther to dwell in the midst of his children,— his house affording
a fine exemplification of what he himself was wont often to ui^ the priceless
value of, — a well ordered and happy home, — and above all, a home sanctified and
blessed by religion, — a Bethel wherein God is pleased to dwell.
If among men standing in the first rank of scholars, he would not have been
eminently distinguished for the extent, the variety, or the depth, of his learning,
such learning as he had, he possessed the happy faculty of tumbg to the best
account in the service of sound education and true religion. . Of his character as
an instructor of youth in the academical situations which, for many years, he
held in difRerent institutions, I had no opportunity, ftom personal observation,
to judge, — as he had retired ttom these employments before I knew him. The
impression of himself which he left upon his pupils, so fiir as I have ever learned,
was such as to induce, on their part, towards him, feelings of affectionate and
respectfVil attachment, which continued throughout life. I recollect an incident
illustrative both of this feeling, and of Dr. B.'s capacity for repartee. A
late Governor of Kentucky had in his youth been a pupil of the Doctor, while at
the head of Transylvania University, and was, during some part of his under-
graduate course, more remarkable for his waggish propensities than for the
•tndionsness of his habits. The Doctor had, on some occasion, called the stu-
dent to his study, and at the dose of some admonition, addressing him by his
name, said with some emphasis, — " Ton will never do any good. Sir!" A few
years ago, the Doctor being at Frankfort, was, with some other company, invited
to dine with his quondam pupil, now the Chief Magistrate of his native Common-
wealth. The Governor, in a style to draw the attention of the table, and in a
tone of pleasant raillery, redted the occurrence, and added, " Now Doctor, I have
proved that you are no prophet; for /ain Oooamor of the Stai€ of JTm/udky,
and am entertaining you at my table.'* *'Ha! Sir," said the Doctor, <<the
excdlence of the lecturer has spoiled the credit of the prophet; my lecture Aos
mode yon Governor of the State of Kentucky."
As a preacher^ I presume that, during the few years that I occasionally heard
him, he was scarcely equal to what he had been in an earlier period of his life. He
preached sometimes fkvm short notes, which lay before him, or were hdd in his
iknd; sometimes, I bdieve, withott any written preparation at all. He was
gtenerally somewhat diffuse, and remarkable rather for the evangelical tone of
his sentiment, the epigrsmmatic point of liis style, the authoritativeness of his
JAKES BLYTflB. 597
.»
deliyery, and the w&rmth and affectionaieness of hiamanner, than for the ftilneas
of his matter, the precision of his statements, the logical method of his arrange-
ment, or th^ thoroughness of his discussion. I haye been told bjr a yenerable
oontemporary, and for many years a co-presbyter of his, that, in his earlier min-
istry, he was designated as " the tearftd preacher." In the last years of his liib,
he was always earnest, often tender, sometimes truly impressive as well as
inStructiye. From what I saw of him during this period, I can easily conoeiye
that, in earlier life, he was what he is represented to haye been for many yearsj
one of the most zealous, actiye and efficient ministers in establishing institutions
of learning, and in planting and rearing churches in the Commonwealth in
which he spent the vigour of his days.
As a mimber of tht judiealorieM of the Church, he took in their business a
lively interest, and generally bore an active part. That he possessed considera-
tion in these bodies appears, among other proofii, from the fact that he was at
one time chosen the presidbg officer of the highest judicatory in the Presbyter
rian Church. He was a member of the memorable Assembly of 1835, whidi
another venerable member of that body predicted would be known in the Histoiy
of the Church, as the "first Reforming Qeneral Assembly;'' and of the stiU
more memorable Assembly of 1837; and in the proceedings of both had an active
participation.
Though called to act in troublous times, and repeatedly engaged in controversy,
to theological and eceUiiastical poUmic$, Dr. Blythe was, I think, habitually
averse. At an early period in his ministry, he became an actor in the scenes of that
most extraordinary religious excitement, which prevailed in Kentucky and some
adjacent States, in the banning of the present century. To the extravagant and
gross disorders which so largely entered into that excitement, he set himself in
a very decided and uncompromising opposition, on account of which he was, by
his people, excluded, for a whole year or more, from his own pulpit, and in other
ways suffered reproach and obloquy. These disorders he undoubtedly continued,
to the end of his days, to condemn as deddedly as ever. An analysis, however,
of the complete phenomena of that marvellous movement, and a reduction of the
different elements respectively to their proper principles, he had not, I think,
been able to make to his own satisfiiction; and his mind probably remained in
doubt on the question, to what extent, in the midst of the phrenzy, ^nd folly,
and wickedness, of that strange tumult of the people, the Spurit of God, who out
of darkness and chaos can bring forth light, and order, and life, may have been
carrying on a work of saving grace in the conversion of men. It was a subject
which appeared to be to him one of painftil reminiscence, and of which he generally
spoke with reserve. My impression is that there was left in his mind, as the re-
sult of his experience in that case, and in some occurrences of a later date, a feeling
of reluctation toward all religious controversy. In the great controversy which, for
many years agitated the Presbyterian Church, and which issued in the disowning
by the Assembly of 1837 of four Synods, which had been in connection with it, and
in the great schism of the following year, he was the advocate of moderate coun-
sels. He, however, always contended for an adherence to the doctrine and order of
the standards, and for the right and obligation of the Church, in her own proper
capacity, to conduct the great work of Christian Missions committed to her Ijj
her Bedeemer and King. When the controversy came to an issue and the divi-
sion was effected, he, as a matter of conscientious preibrence, continued in the
Body distinguished as the Old School Presbyterian Church. He nevertheless
continued to be, as he had always been, a lover of every good man, in whatever
department of the Church he might be found; and even when he could not
approve of the means employed by men, to rejoice in whatever appeared to him
adapted to advance the cause of true rdi^on, and the Kingdom of God in tlie
world.
598 PBBSBYTEBIAK.
or the moniij, irathfalness, and depth, of his pertomd religion^ I heliere it
mw those who knew him best who entertained the most confident persoaiion.
iHe oyer etmoed, in pnblio and in priyate, in ail those ways in which they who
are bom of God are usually wont to do so, a warm and lively interest in the
things of religion; and on all suitable occasions was ready enough to enter into
those fireer communications which the best Christians reserve for the intercourse
of intimate and confidential firiendship. Christian principle eridently exerted
a controlling and directing influence oyer his character and life. His personal
religion bore, too, this mark of genuineness, — that it was progressiTe. His
path was that of the just, which is as the shining light, that shineth more and
more unto the perfect day. Pbnted in the house of the Lord, and spreading out
his roots by the riyer of God, his leaf fiided not, — he brought forth fruit in
old age. This manifested itself in yarious ways, but was especially conspicuous
ii^ the increase of his seal and labours to promote the great work of Christian
missions^ which appeared toward the close of his life. In the Gtoeral Assem-
bly of 1841, of which he was a member, and just about twelye months before
his death, he earnestly exerted himself to effect the adoption of some measures
jfor the better supply of the destitute in our own country with the Gospel. The
result of his exertions appears in the action taken by the Assembly, and it is to
him and another aged minister, who, more than fifty years before, had been by
the same Presbytery and on ths same day with himself, licensed to preach the
Gospel, and whom, (they liying in parts of the country remote from each other,)
he had for the first time since met as a feUow-member in this Assembly, that
that Body referred when they say; " The presence in this Body of two yenera-
ble fathers in Christ, who after more than half a century already spent in obey-
ing their Master's last injunction, still feel impelled to deyote the yery twilight
of life to the arduous work of misnons, should make an irresistible appeal to
ministers who are in the meridian of thdr yigour to enter upon this field.* Dr.
Blythe returned hoi^e to prosecute this good work. In the fdlowing autumn,
he originated in his own Synod a plan proyiding for the regular deyotion by set-
tled pastors of a portion of their time to missionary labours; and yisited two
ndghbooring Synods to procure the adoption by them of the same plan. Thus,
like old Nestor among the marshalled hosts of the well-booted Greeks on Ilium's
shore, did this noble old man stimulate and urge on his junior comrades in the
sacramental host of God to prosecute the war&re in whi6h he himself had spent
the yigour of his own days. Nay, rather like a good soldier of a Captain greater
than Agamemnon, King of men, and in an infiinitely nobler war&re than that
waged by the Greeks against Troy, the language of his conduct was,—" I think
it meet as long as I am in this tabernacle to stir you up, knowing that, shortly,
I must put off my tabemade." In this spirit our yenerable firiend habitually
acted. Those among whom he went in and out, will not easily forget, how
feyourite a theme with him during the last two or three years of his 1^, was
this of the missionary operations at home and abroad for the spread of the Gos-
pel, and the extension of the Kingdom of Christ;— how, eyerywh^re,-^in the
pulpit, in the prayer-meeting, in the priyate drde, he urged its daims;— with
what delight he haOed what he belieyed to be the morning rays of millenial
C^ry;— how, when this was his theme, his imagination kindled, his bosom
swelled with hope, his heart was enlarged with desire, his eyes were suflNised
with tears, and his supplications to the throne of grace gathered firom ey«i^ new
oocision new fbrirour and importunity.
The end of this yenerable senrant of Gk>d was sudi as well became his course
in life. During his last illness, I saw him daHy, — sometimes bftener,^Huid left
llim about haU^an hour before his departure. From an early period of his
ttlness, he regarded a fktal termination as a not improbable etent. During life,
•MinatieorAnMiiblj,184i. *
JJJaS BLTTHS.
m
and even in hig last yean, while cherishing an abiding persuaaion of his personal
interest in Ohrist, he was not wholly exempt from the fear of death; and some-
tameSy in confidential interooorse, he gave expression to this apprehension in
respect to the last enemy. From this fear, however, he obtained deliverance,
and, from the beginning of his sickness, contemplated with composore his end.
There were no visions of imagination travelling in the clouds, and no enthosi-
astic raptures of doubtful joy. But there was what was more satisfiictory,
^ong with deep views of sin, a direct and very decided acting of fiuth upon the
righteousness of the Redeemer, as the ground of his acceptance with God, and
a oonfidmg repose on the promises of God in Christ. So resting, he possessed
his soul in perfect peace. Bepeatedly laying his hand upon his bc«om, he would
say, — " All here is peace," and express his gratitude for it. He spoke of the
comfort brought him by prayers having special reference to his condition. Often
he expressed the satisfiiction he found in reposing directly upon the Word of
God, in preference even to evangelical sentiment, when expressed in words of
man's wisdom . On one occasion , reciting some popular lines expressive of repose
on Christ, which are often on the lips of the dying, he said: — " Those are the
words of man;" then quoted the Scripture promise, — " I will never leave thee
nor forsake thee;" saying '' That is the promise of God and I can rest upon
it;" and again repeated a loose paraphrase of a passage in one of the Psalms;
saying, ''those are the words of man;" and then the words of the Psalm
itself; "I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness," adding, "thai is
the Word of God and it comforts me." In the earlier part of his illness, there
was perhaps a prevalence of the natural desire of life, and some wish of fhrther
useftilness in the service of the Gospel on earth. But toward the close of his
days, the desire of his inheritance in Heaven was predominant; and, as expres-
sive of the state of his own mind, he referred to the declaration of the Apostle, —
''I am in a strait betwixt two; having a desire to depart and be with Christ,
which is for better."
So passed away this aged saint of God, and servant of Jesus Christ. Recog-
nising and acting on the principle that he was under obligation to be consecrated
to the service of Christ, he, in early youth, not only gave himself to the Lord,
but devoted his life to the work of preaching the Gospel of the grace of God to
men. In the work which thus engaged the morning of his days, he persevered
through the meridian of life, and down to the evening of old age. Active, seal-
ons, ardent, during a period of more than fifty years, he abounded in labours in
establishing and conducting institutions of learning, and in planting and water-
ing churches,— causmg the wUdemees to blossom as the garden of the Lord.
Over many a field in this great Western land has he sown the good seed of the
word, now waving with the harvest, and destined, as we trust, to bring forth
thdr firuits in their season, while the earth shall remam, and the ordinances of
Heaven endure. And herein is that saying true, " One soweth, and another
reapeih; other men laboured, and we are entered into their labours." But jn the
end, the sower and the reaper together shall come from the field, bringing their
sheaves with rqjoidng.
I am. Rev. and dear Sir. with great respect,
Yery truly yours,
E. D. KoMASTBR.
600 PRB6BYTERIAN.
SAMUEL Miller, d. d.*
1791—1860.
Samuxl Hillbr vas the fourth son of the Bev. John IGIler, and was
born October 81, 1769, at the residenee of his &ther, a few miles from
Dover, De. Bjb early literary trainlDg was under the parental roof; but
in due time he was removed to Philadelphia, and became a member of the
University of Pennsylvania. After passing through this institution, he
graduated with high honour, July 81, 1789;
Having formed the purpose of devotbg himself to the ministry, he
entered upon the study of Theology, shortly after his graduation, under the
direction of his father. But his &ther being removed before he had com-
pleted his theological course, he was licensed by the Presbytery of Lewes, —
of which his father had long been a leading member, — on the 16th of Octo*
ber, 1791, and immediately after put himself, for the residue of his course,
under the instruction of the celebrated Dr. Nisbet of Dickinson College.
Ueria he continued for a number of months, and during this time not only
enjoyed the best opportunities for literary and theologiMl improvement, but
formed an intimacy with his venerable instructer, which was a source of
great pleasure, not only to himself, but to those to whom he imparted his
cherished recollections, as long as he lived.
At a meeting of the Presbytery in April, 1792, a call was put into the
hands of Mr. Miller to take the pastoral charge of the Congregation at
Dover, then recently vacated by the death of his venerable father, — ^which,
however, he ultimately declined. In the course of this year he was invited
to visit a Church on Long Island, with a view to being heard as a candidate
for settlement. On his way thither he stopped in New York, and preached
to great acceptance. The result was, that, in ihe autumn of tbat year, he
received a unanimous call from the united Presbyterian Churches of New
Tork to become the colleague of Dr. Bodgers and Dr. McKnight. He has
been heard to remark that he had never at that time aspired to anything
beyond an ordinary country charge ; and that nothing could have surprised
him more than that he should have been thought of for such a public and
important sphere of labour. He, however, after due deliberation, accepted
the call, and was ordained and installed June 6, 1798. The Sermon on
the occasion was preached by the Bev. Dr. McKnight.
From the CQmmeucemeut of his ministry in New York, he enjoyed a repu*
tation in some respects peculiar to himself. Though Dr. Mason, and Dr.
Linu, aud Dr. Livingston, and other great lights were there, yet the subject
of thb notice was fiir from being thrown into the shade. Besides having
the advantage of a remarkably fine person, and most bland and attractive
manners, ho had, from the beginning, an uncommonly polished style, and
there was an air of literary refinement pervading all his performances, that
excited general admiration, and well nigh put criticism at defiance. - He
was scarcely settled before his services began to be put in requisition on
public occasions ; and several of these early occasional discourses were pub-
lished, and still remain as a monument of his taste, talents, and piety.
One of hii earliest published sermons was before a Society if the city of
• OommoniMtiOD from Umielf .— PrtsbjttriMi^ 18S0.
SAKUEL KILLER. QQ1
New York for the HannmisBion of Skyes; and it may well be doubted
whether a more discreet, onezoeptioiiable, and dignified sermon has been
written on the subject since.
At the beginning of the present oentuiy, Mr. Miller preached a sermon
appropriate to the time, reviewing some of the more prominent eventflb and
works of the century then just concluded. This sermon formed the nudeus
of a work published in 1803, in two volumes octavo, which contained the
most thorough account of the various improvements of the eighteenth oen*
tury, which was then to be found in the English language. In ezeoutmg
this work he brought to his aid many of the most gifted and accomplished
mmds in various departments of learning ; and in the favourable manner in
which the book was received on both sides of the water, he had the most
gratifying testimony that his labour had not been misapplied.
He was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Divinity, from the Uni-
versity at which he was graduated, in the year 1804. At that day it was
uncommon, if not unprecedented, for a person so young to receive that
honour ; and he used sometimes, in sportively referring to it, to relate the
following anecdote : —
He was travelling in New England with a clergyman who was well
acquainted there,' and they called, at the suggestion of the Doctor's travel-
ling companion, to pay their respects to a venerable old minister, who lived
somewhere on their route. The Doctor's friend introduced him as Dr.
Miller of New York ; and as the old gentleman knew that there was a distin-
guished medical practitioner of that name living there, and as he had not
heard that the clergyman had been doctorated, and perhaps it had never
even occurred to him that so young a man as he saw before him could be,
he took for granted that it was the medical doctor to whom he had been
introduced; and, after a few minutes, wishing to accommodate his conver-
sation to the taste and capabilities of the sti^anger as well as he could, he
turned to him, and asked him whether he considered the yellow fever, which
had then just been prevuling in New York, contagious. Before the Doctor
had time to reply, his friend perceiving the old gentleman's mistake, said,
" This is not a medical doctor, Sir, but a Doctor of Divinity." The vene-
rable minbter gathered himself up, as if in a paroxysm of astonishment,
and lifting up both hands, exclaimed, with a protracted emphasis upon each
word, *' You don't r
In 1806, Dr. Miller was Moderator of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church.
In May, 1811, died the Bev. Dr. Bodgers, with whom Dr. Miller had
served in the ministry, as a son with a father, for nearly twenty years. He
preached a touching and impressive Sermon on the occasion of the death of his
venerable colleague, and two years after published it, with an extended bio-
graphy of him, in an octavo volume. As D)r. Bodgers had been idenUfied with
the Presbyterian Church more prominently, and for a longer period, than any
other man, Dr. Miller, in writing an account of his life, was led almost Qf
' necessity to det«il many events and scenes with which he was connected in
common with many others ; and hence there is probably more of the general
history of the Presbyterian Church to be found in this volume than in any
other biographical work that has been published. Independently of the
peculiar interest that attaches to the subject, the work is quite a mOdel.in
its department.
Vol. III. 76
^02 FRSSBTTEBIAir.
Svy Miller 10 understood to have taken a deep interest in tbe establish
ment of the Theological Seminary at Prinoeton, from the first inoeption of
the enterprise, though without the remotest i&ea that he was destined to be
more intimately oonneoted with it than many others of his brethren. When
Dr. Alexander was inaugurated, in August, 1812, Dr. Miller preached the
Sermon — and an appropriate and admirable sermon it was. When the chair
of Ecclesiastical History* and Ohuroh Oovemment was to be filled, the eyes
of the Ohuroh were directed to Dr. Miller ; and in due time the judgment
of the Church was pronounced in his being formally elected to that respon-
sible place. The appointment was made in May, 1818 ; and haying accepted
it, he was inducted into office on the 29th of September following.
Here Dr. Miller continued discharging the duties of his office with great
fidelity and ability, and to the entire acceptance of the Church, during a
period of more than thirty-six years. Though he had not, in his latter years
at least, any great vigour of constitution, and was obliged to nurse himself
with more than ordinary care, yet he was able to go through with his pre-
scribed duties in the Seminary, besides performing a good deal of occasional
literary labour, until within about a year of his death. In May, 1849, the
Gkneral Assembly accepted the resi^ation of his office, testifying, at the
same time, in the strongest manner possible, their grateful appreciation of
his services, and their high respect for his character. His health, which
had been waning for a considerable time, failed after this more perceptibly,
until at length it became manifest to all that his period of active service was
over. He lingered a number of weeks, sufiering not so much from positive
pain as from extreme exhaustion and difficulty of respiration, but without
a cloud to intercept the dear shining of the Sun of Bighteousness. He
felt that his work was done, and he was ready to enter upon his reward.
The few friends who were privileged to see him during the period of his
decline, especially after he had nearly reached the dark boundary, were
not only edified but surprised at the expressions of humble, gratefbl, joy-
ful triumph, that fell from his lips. He gently passed away to his reward,
on Monday evening, January 7, 1850. His Funeral drew together a large
concourse of clergymen and others from the neighbouring towns and cities,
and an appropriate and characteristic Sermon was preached on the occasion,
by his venerable colleague, Dr. Alexander.
In the autumn of 1801, Dr. Miller was married to Sarah, daughter of the
Hon. .Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, a distinguished lawyer and member of
Congress, of Philadelphia. They had ten children, one of whom died in
infancy, and only six survived him. The eldest daughter became the wife
of the Bev. Dr. John Breckenridge. Two of the sons are ministers of the
Gospel, one is a suxgeon in the Navy, and one a lawyer, — ^practising in
Philadelphia.
Dr. ItUller, as I have already had occasion to intimate, had mueh more
than common advantages in respect to personal appearance. Of about the
middle sise, he was perfectly well proportioned, with a fine, intelligent and
benignant countenance, whidi woold not be likely to pass unnoticed in a
crowd. His manners were cultivated and graceful in a high degree, uniting
the polish of Chesterfield with the dignity and sincerity of a Christian min-
ister. He was remarkably exact in his attention to littie things; and
though this may have sometimes given him, to a certain extent, an air of
fbrmality, it had undoubtedly much to do in giving a finish to both his
SAMUEL MILLSB. 603
manxietB and Iub chorftoter. His work on **01erbid Manners*' oould never
haye been written hj one who was less oonsiderate and ^aot than himself;
and, indeed, but for his ezoeeding modest j, one might ahnost suppose that
in writing it he was taking his own portrait. He was never thrown bto
any society so polished bnt that he was entirely at home in it, and while he
was as fiir as possible from being enslaved to worldly usages, or onltivating
a habit of too indisoriminate worldly intereonrse, he never thought it
beneath him to appear on all occasions as the accomplished Christian gen-
tleman.
Dr. Miller's intellectual and moral character partook of the same beautifol
symmetry that characterised his external appearance. How far this grew
out of his natural constitution, and how far it was the result of discipline
and habit, it may be difficult to decide ; though he has been heard to say
that he was originally of an impetuous turn, and that it had required
severe efforts to school himself into all that moderation and self-control
of which we saw him in possession. He had evidently by nature a kindly,
sympathetic and generous spirit. His heart beat quick to the tale of
distress, and his hand opened instinctively to administer reliefs He had
warm social affections, and received as well as imparted great pleasure in
his intercourse with his friends. His mind was not, like that of Dr.
Mason — ^bold, startling, I had almost said terrible in some of its demonstra-
tions ; but it was perfectly well balanced in all its &culties, calm and deli-
berate but certain in its movements, and worthy of being trusted wherever
good taste, sound judgment, and high intelligence, were demanded. He
might not have been selected as the man to electrify the multitude by a
ringle effort, but there are few men who have an assemblage of intellectual
and moral qualiUes, so well fitted as were his to form a dignified character,
or to secure a course of honourable and enduring usefulness.
I have already alluded to the figust that Dr. Miller early took rank with
the best preachers of his day. His sermons were generally written, but in
the earUer periods of his ministry, as I have heard him say, were almost
always committed to memory, — as the prejudice against reading in New
York was so great, that it was at the peril at least of one's reputation as a
preacher that he ventured to lay his manuscript befbre him. At a later
period, however, especially after he went to Princeton, he generally read
his discourses, but he read with so much ease and freedom, that, but for
the turning over of the leaves, one would scarcely have been aware that he
was reading at all. His voice was not strong, nor yet particularly musical,
but it was pleasant notwithstanding; and so perfectly distinct was his enun-
ciation that he could be heard without effort at the extremity of the largest
church. His attitudes in the pulpit were extremely dignified; though per-
haps somewhat precise ; and his gesture, which was never otherwise than
appropriate, was yet not veiy abundant. His utterance was deliberate, —
possibly too much so to suit the mass of hearers ; but it was marked by an
evident sincerity and solemnity that were well fitted to make iEm impression.
He would occasionally deliver a sentence with an air of mi^esty, and a
degree of unction that would make it quite iri«sistible. I remember, for
instance, to have heard him relate in a New Year's sermon oh the text
**How old art thou?" the well known anecdote, of the Soman Emperor,
exclaiming at the close of a day which ^Lad gone to waste, **0h, I have
lost a day !" and it seemed scarcely possible that the exdamation should
604 PRBSBTTEBIAH.
have been uttered in a way to eecare to it a lugher effeot. Still he ooold
not be oonsidered an impassioned preacher ; and his manner was eharaoter-
ised rather bj qniet dignity, and oooasionallj by genuine pathos, than by
any remarkable yersatUity or yigour. Bnt his- discourses were decidedly
superior to his manner of delivering them. He neyer shot at random : he
always had a distinct object in view, and he went deliberately and skilfully
to work to accomplish it. There was the same symmetry about hb ser*
m6ns as there was about his character — every thing was in its bright place.
If you did not expect to be thrilled by such overwhelming passages as you
might sometimes hear from Mason or Chalmers, you knew that you would
never be shocked by any thing of doubtful propriety. You expected that
every thing in the service would be fitting and reverent, and every way up to
the dignity of the pulpit ; and you were never disappointed. No man was
farther than Dr. Miller from that miserable affectation that throws together
diy and doubtful speculations, — at best the refuse of philosophy, and then
eaUs the heap of chaos that is thus produced a Oospel sermon. While his
preaching was not common-place in any worse sense than the Bible is so,
he had no ambition for originality that led him to stray beyond the^ Bible
for the material of his discourses ; and while he was satisfied with what he
found there, his object seemed to be to work it up in a manner which should
best subserve the great objects of his ministry.
As a Professor in the Theological Seminary, Dr. Miller was alike able
and &ithfnl. He gave to his work all the energies of his mmd and body;
and even after the infirmities of age had so accumulated upon him that ho
mighi have reasonably found an apology for relaxing, if not altogether dis-
continuing, his labours, he still continued to perform the full amount of
service demanded by his Professorship. His lectures were always highly
appropriate and instructive; and while they were evidently the result of
much thought and investigation, and were so admirably perspicuous and well
arranged that they could easily be remembered, they were written with
excellent taste, and sometimes, where description was called for, were
marked by great rhetorical beauty. In his intercourse with the students
of the Seminary he was quite as much the Father as the Professor; and if a
record of all his kind offices towards his pupils, many of which were a mat-
ter of profound secresy , could be displayed, I doubt not that it would greatly
exceed any estimate which those who appreciate his beneficence most highly,
have ever formed.
Dr. Miller was an honest, vigilant and devoted friend of what he believed
to be the true interests of the Presbyterian Church. In the controversy
which issued in its division he was infiexibly with the Old School, though
he had many warm friends on the other side with whom he continued to
maintain the most friendly relations. Indeed it was impossible for him to
be otherwise than bland and courteous even towaids an adversary. Not a
small part of his writings are, in a greater or less degree, of a polemical
character; but they are gener^ly marked by great caution and dignity, and
I have never heard a more hearty tribute pud to him as an author, than by
one eminent man who held with him a somewhat vigorous controversy.
Dr. Miller's highest attraction, after all, was that he was great in good-
ness. Not only was he endowed by d&e God of nature with superior moral
qualities, but Uiese qualities were moulded by the Qod of grace into an
exalted specimen of Christian excellence. He was eminently conscientious,
SAICIJEL HILLSB. QQS
disinterested and devout. OondesoendiDg in indifferent matters, he always
stood firm to his own conviotions, where anj thing important was involved.
He was meek, humble, patient and forgiving. He moved about in sobiety,
exhibiting the graces of nature in attractive combination with the higher
graces of the Spirit. In hb latter years, he was reverenced as a Patriarch,
and there was wide-spread and hearty mourning when he went down to his
grave.
The following is a list of Dr. Miller's publications : —
YOLxricis.
A Brief Retrospect of the Eighteenth Century, 2 vok. 8vo., 1808. Let-
ters on the Constitution and.Order of the Christian Ministry, addressed to the
Members of the Presbyterian Churches in the city of New York, 12mo., 1807.
A Continuation of Letters concerning the Constitution and Order of the
Christian Ministry, being an Examination of the Strictures of the Rev; Doctors
Bowden and Kemp, and the Kev. Mr. How, on the former series, 12mo., 1809.
Memoirs of the Rev. John Rogers, D. D., 8vo., 1813. Letters on Unita-
rianism, 8vo., 1821. Letters on Clerical Manners and Habits, 12mo.,
1827. An Essay on the Warrant, Nature, and Duties, of the Offiiee of the
Rulitig Elder in the Presbyterian Church, 12mo., 1881. Letters to Pres-
byterians on the Present Crisis in the Presbyterian Church in the United
States, 12mo., 1888. Infant Baptism scriptural and reasonable, and Bap-
tism by Sprinkling or Affusion the most suitable and edifybg mode:
!rwo Sermons [originally preached at Freehold, N. J.], 12mo., 1884. Presby-
teriahism the truly Primitive and Apostolical Constitution of the Church of
Christ, 1885. Life of Jonathan Edwards, (Sparks, American Biography,)
12mo., 1887. Memoir of the Rev. Charles Nisbet, J). D., 12mo., 1840.
The Primitive and Apostolic Order 'of the Church of Christ Vindicated,
12mo., 1840. Letters from a Father to his Sons in College, 12mo., 1848.
The Warrant, Nature, and Duties, of the Office of Ruling Elder in the
Presbyterian Church : A Sermon preached in Philadelphia, with an Appen-
dix, 18mo., 1843. Thoughts on Public Prayer, 12mo., 1849.
PAMPHLBTS.
A Sermon preached in New York, on the Anniversary of American
Independence, 1798. A Discourse before the Grand Lodge of the State of
New York, 1795. A Discourse Commemorative of the Discovery of New
York, by Henry Hudson, (New York Historical Collections,) 1795. A
Sermon delivered in New York, on the nineteenth Anniversary of the Inde-
pendence of America, 1796. A Discourse delivered before the New York
Society for the Manumission of Slaves, &c., 1797. A Sermon delivered in
the city of New York, on a day of National Humiliation, Fasting, and
Prayer, 1798. A Sermon deUvered in New York, on a Day of Thanks-
giving, Humiliation, and Prayer, observed on account of the removal from
the city of a malignant and mortal disease, 1799. A Sermon occasioned by
the death of General Washington, 1799. A Sermon before the N^w York
Missionary Society, 1802. Two Discourses on Suicide, preached in the city
of New York, 1805. A Sermon for the Benefit of a Society in New York,
for the relief of Poor Widows with Small Children, 1808. A Sermon
preached in New York, on the Divine Appointment, the Duties, and Quali-
fications, of Ruling Elders, 1809. A Disoourse delivered b New York, on
the Burning of the Richmond Theatre, 1812. A Sermon delivered at
coo FB1SSB7TEBU9.
Prinoekm, at the Lmogtiurftiion of Bey. Archibald Alezandor, D. D., ai
Professor, &c., 1812. A Sermon delivered at Baltimore at tbe ordination
and inatalladon of Bev. William Nevina, 1820, A Letter to the Editor of
the Unitarian UiBoellany, in reply to an attack on the Sermon at the ordi-
nation of Mr. Nevina, 1821, A Sermon delivered at New Haven, at the
ordination of Bev. Measrs. William GhK>dell, William Bicharda, and Artemaa
Bishop, as EvangeUatB and Missionaries to the Heathen, 1822. Beplj to
Professor Stuart on the Eternal Generation of the Son, 1822. A Sermon
entitled ** The Literary Foontains Healed," preached in the Chapel of the
Oollege of New Jersey, 1823. A Sermon delivered at the opening of the
new Presbyterian Chnroh in Arch Street, Philadelphia, 1828. A Sermon
preached at Newark^ before the Synod of New Jersey, for the benefit of
the African School under the care oi the Synod, 1828. An Introductory
Lecture addressed to the Theological Students at Princeton, on the Utility
and Importance of Creeds and Confessions, 1824. A Discourse delivered
at Princeton, before the Literary and Philosophical Society of New Jersey,
1825. A Letter to a gentleman of Baltimore, in reference to the case of
the Bev. Mr. Duncan, 1826. A Sermon delivered in Baltimore, at the
installation of ^he Bev. John Breckenridge, 1826. Two Sermons in the
National Preacher, (Nos. 8 and 9,) on the Evidence and Duty of being on
the Lord's Side, 1826. An Introductory Lecture addressed to the Students
of the Theological Seminary at Princeton, on the Importance of the Gospel
Ministry, 1827. An Introductory Lecture to the Students of the Theologi-
cal Semmary at Princeton, on the Importance of Mature Preparatory Study
for the Ministry, 1829. A Sermon preached at Albany, at the installation
of the Bev. W. B. Sprague, 1829. Two Sermons in the National Preacher,
(Nos. 98 and 99,) on Beligious Fasting, 1881. A Sermon on Ecclesiastical
Polity, (one of the Spruce SUreet Lectures,) 1882. A Sermon in the Presby-
terian Preacher, (Vol. I. No. 1,) on the impo^nce of Gospel Truth, 1882.
A Sermon entitled, '* A Plea for an Enlarged Ministry," preached! in Phila-
delphia, before the General Assembly's Board of Education, and published
in the Presbyterian Preacher, (Vol. III. No. 1,) 1884. A Sermon delivered
at Pittsburg before the Association of the Alumni of the Theological
Seminary at Princeton, 1885. Two Sermons in the National Preacher,
(Nos. 198 and 199,) on the Importance and Means of Domestic Happiness,
1885. A Sermon preached at Baltimore, before the American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions, 1885. A Sermon preached at Prince-
ton, in inemoiy of the Bev. George S. Woodhull, 1885. A Sermon
preached, at Bidtimore, at the installation of the Bev. John C. Backus,
1886. Two Sermons in the National Preacher, (Nos. 280 and 281,) on
Christ our Bighteousness, 1886, A Sermon on the Dangers of Education
b Boman Catholic Seminaries, preached in Baltimore and New York, 1887.
A Sermon preached in Philadelphia, before the Board of Foreign Missions
of the Presbyterian Church, 1888, An Address delivered at Elisabeth-
town, at the dedication of a Monument to the memory of the Bev. James
Caldwell, 1846.
'Iii addition to the preceding. Dr. Miller published a Biographical Sketch
of Edward Miller, M. D., prefixed to his works ; an Essay introductory to
Ld'cttires to Toung People, by W. B. Sprague ; a Letter appended to Leo-
tureS on BevivaU, by W. B. Sprague ; Contributions to the Bi<^;taphy of
Mrs. Margaret Breckenridge, &o., &c.
SAMUEL KILLEB. gQ?
FROM THE BEY. JAICES OABKAHAK, D. B
FttiMomsojK, Febnuuy 16, 1866.
Bey. and dear Sir: Several months ago yon did me the honoar to leqneet that
I would fbmiBh yon with some of my reminiaoences of the late Bev. Dr. Miller
of this place. Yon are aware that personal affliction and oonseqvent derange-
ment of domestio affairlB hare since occupied my attention, so that I coold think
of little else. And now, though I would gladly pay my tribute of aflbctionate
respect to the TeneraUe man, whose yirtues and useftdness yon wish to embalm,
I confess I am at a loss where to begin and what to say. For half a century
Dr. Miller occupied a rery prominent place in the Presbyterian Church in this
country, so that his biography in his public relations would be, to a great extent^
the history of his denomination, for more than fifty years. It is to be hoped
that this important service to the Church will ere long be performed by some
competent hand — dl that I can attempt, and I suppose all that yon desire, will
be a few general remarks.
Fifty years ago, I knew Dr. Miller from reputation and from his published
works, especially from his Beview of the Eighteenth Century and bis Defence
of the Validity of Presbyterian Ordination. Since that time the productions of
his pen have been numerous and various, so that, as a writer on theological- sub-
jects, he is as well and as &TOurably known in Europe and America as any
author m our country of the same period. In every thing he has written there
is a clearness of thought, and a purity and precision of diction, which render his
style as fair a specimen of good old English as our country affords. We find in
his writings no laboured effort to involve in mist a common thought, in order to
give it the air of norelty; much less do we find, as is too much the fiuihion of
the present day, involved sentences consistmgof high sounding words laboriously
strung together, in order to give to the superficial reader the idea of profound
thought, when in truth there is no intelligible meaning conveyed.
If Dr. Miller proposed no new theory on the subject of religion or morals, and
stamped his name on the doctrine taught, he did all that we have a right to
expect any one to do at the present day for the benefit of the Church— I mean
that he stated in a perspicuous manner the teachings of the Bible, and met what
he regarded the prevailing errors of the day, with the courtesy of a Christian
gentleman. In this respect he may be considered as a model oontrovertist. He
never substitutes personal abuse of an opponent for argument in refutation of
his doctrines. While he states with all fulness, and maintains by foir ailment,
.what he believes to be the truth, he never attempts to render ridiculous or
odious those who hold different opinions.
Until 1823 my personal acquaintance with this excellent man was transient.
From that time until his deaths a period of twenty-seven years, it was my hap-
piness to live in his neighbourhood, and to have frequent and almost daily inter-
course with him; to see him in the pulpit, in the Presbytery, in the Board of
Trustees of the College, in the social circle, and in private interviews ; and I must
say that the respect and admiration with which I regarded him both as a man
and a4 a Christian, increased every year until he was removed from this world.
In the pulpit, I have heard men who, by the ardour of their utterance, the
brilliancy of their imagery, and the energy of their action, would rouse the
attention and exdte the foelings of a popular audience in a higher degree than
Dr. Miller; but for solid Gospel truth, presented in a distinct and logical manner,
and expressed in chaste and appropriate language, he was certainly distinguished
above most of his brethren. He loved to preach, — ^not for the sake of human
applause^ for he continued to occupy the pulpit, whenever an opportunity offered,
long after he had reached the lenith of his fome. When his siervides were not
QQg PBESBYTEBIAK.
required in the Seminary, or College, or Charch in Princeton, he would flne-
qaeutly ride to some neighboaring congregation, and volunteer his senrices, which
were always acceptable both to the pastor and to the people. In leading the
doTotions of the large congregation, or of the social meeting, he was peculiarly
happy. Thore was a simplicity and reverence in his manner and language, and
an appropiiateness in the topics which he introduced, which were admirably
fitted to awaken devout feeling in the hearts of his auditors. Though he was
not given to repetition in prayer, he sometimes, fVom the fulness of his heart,
violated the rule which he prescribed to his pupils on this sulject — to he brief.
No matter at what time or place he was called on, he was always ready to engage
in prayer in a solemn and devout manner; nor was it difScult for him to make
the transition from social and cheerful conversation, in which he greaUy delighted,
to acts of devotion. His whole demeanour in public and in private indicated
that he habitually acted under a sense of the Divine presence; but his devotional
spirit was as fiir as possible from any thing like a gloomy habit of mind. He
was a most genial and cheerful companion, abounding in rich and appropriate
anecdotes, while he never descended to any thing unbecoming a Christian or a
minister of the Gospel.
For several years the Professors of the Theological Seminary and the ofScers
of the College were in the habit of meeting at each others' houses once in two
weeks, for the purpose of spending the evening in easy and ihmiliar conversation
on subjects chiefly connected with the interests of education and religion. In
these meetings Dr. Miller took a lively interest; and he contributed greatly to
make them profitable and pleasant, not only by drawing largely from his own
rich and varied stores, but also by eliciting from others whatever each one might
know on the subject under consideration. I remember with what skill he would
touch the key-note which would open the lips of his distinguished and venerable
colleague, Dr. Alexander, or of the gifted and lamented Professor Dod, or
of others whose presence helped to give interest to the meeting. He delighted
to receive and to impart instruction by oral communication; yet it is remarka-
ble that his fondnesis for social intercourse, and the solicitude of his friends to
enjoy his company, were never allowed to interfere with his studies. The plea-
sant companion neglects his books — the student becomes a recluse. ^In Dr.
Miller both these characters were most happily blended. Whoever has read or
even glanced at his numerous publications, must be convinced that he was a
laborious and successfVil student; and when we take into view his preparations
for the pulpit, and fer the daily instruction of his class in' the lecture room, it is
just matter of surpnse that any man could perform so much intellectual labour,
especially when it is remembered that Dr. M> did not enter on the performance
of any public duty without Ihll and accurate preparation. The great secret of
his being able to do so much and to do it so well, was that he did every thing
systematically. He had a time for every duty; and one duty was not suffered
to encroach upon another. In his study he did not lounge, and permit his
thoughts to wander from the subject before him. For the purpose of preserving
his health, or perhaps as an excitement to mental exertion, he did all his writing,
standing at his desk. In early life, and indeed to the close of life, he had a ten-
dency to pulmonary disease. To counteract this tendency he was temperate in
all things. Before he came to Princeton, and for some time after, he wa9 in the
habit of taking a single glass of wine at dinner, believing that it assisted diges-
tion and promoted health. But he considered that his example might be inju-
rious to others; and at that period of life when many think that artificial stimu-
lants are necessary to susti^ declining nature, he denied himself his fonper
moderate indulgence, and abstained entirely firom all kinds of intoxicating drinks.
He adopted this practice, not because he thought the moderate use of akoiiolio
drinks in aU cases in itself wrong, but firom an apprehension that his example
SjUcuzl hlleb. 009
mlgUkte^AjWi li\|iURioiur cfiect-npon othera^ , J{», .boirmrv <>fteB Tomiitfked thai he
iVBiT«ii€s«Ittii«iia^:%ba least injQigK .oe incQQveRxeiMa (torn ibftxHiangc. , .
iiBdMoffJkbs^ dai](X.««eiym m^^^^ was. necesflS^yiipir/Jikijlttal^^ ha
permitted no weather or engagement to prevaiit his >wa^kiiigfN>» arising oat^ at
least onoe every day. I bare seen him in the most' inclemenft ifeather in sum-
mer and winter, wending hla. way to the Post-ofSce, or to make a neoessary call,
or to 4nreati&e- the fntlh air without any other object. While he careAiDy aroided
a current of air coming upon him fh>m a window or a door, he dreaded neither
cold nor heat, nor snow nor rain, in an atmosphere freely circulating on all sides.
I cannot doubt tha;t this daify contact- with: ^e open air, corniected with regular
and temperate habits, was the means of sustainuig to an adiranced age a oonstir
tutfon not naturally strong.
In^hispersonalhahits dnd drasshe wasremarkaUy neat, without any: thing,
howererv of undue 'prednon. From the use of tobacco inall itsforms^ it was a-
matter of >oon8cie»oe'as well ta^ of tautB with him ^reAiUy to abstaiQ; ;for he
beUtiied not only that it was.positiyely injurious te^ health, but that it tended to
create a -thirst forintoxieatiBg drinks. In his manners he was polished and
glwsefbl) apd dulyf attentive to< all those« proprieties which' confer* dignity upon
sodai'inieroourse^ >'9f • the > ^< clerical manners ^* which « he recommended' in his
i»v«luahle^workion that subject^ he was hitnself«n admirable example. His own
fine manners were no doubt to some extent the effect of culture— of having been
aoeustemed'fremiearly*life to imnglemuch in. refined iociety^; but Uiey were still
more to 1^ reibrred i-ie the legitimate acting of' his benev^oletit affections.' His
woods and aetions weie^he unstudied expressions of a warm and generous heart.
Hewairf rmif to assist « friend, not only when it was convenient to himself, but
at 'theiexpense of his own convenience; tad he did it' with a heartiness and good
will whieht made thekindness doubly valuable.
i In'the management of his sectUar and domestic concerns, he was well worthy
of imitation. Economy in all his personal and household expenses was conspi-
cuous; and' if his creditor could be reached, he permitted no debt, great or small,
le remain unsatisfied a week or a day. His private means, independent of his
salary as a Professor in the Theological Seminary, were probably equal to the
frugal expenses of his family; yet he did not permit his property to accumu-
late—he acted' on the prindple which he frequently inculcated — ^namely, that a
large inheritance is generally a* curse to children. It' is impossible to estimate
how much he distributed every year to good and charitable purposes; because
he made no display of his charities by giving to particular objects large sums,
worthy of being displayed as examples of liberality. But it could not be con-
cealed that he refbsed aid to no object that he considered worthy of public or
private benefloencek He used to say that he loved tohave a nail in* every build-
ing intended for the g^ory of God or the good of man.
2 At»the time of his decease, Dr^ Miller had been forty-three years a Trustee of
the College of New Jersey, And he had seldom been absent from the meetings
ofittheiBoard^, and was always an active and influentiid 'member. < 'A' shorts time
befewlds deatk keattended'a'^meeting'of the Trustees, and,bel(Me the'busmess
Iras finishedi he rose, and,o&aocount of the'feeUe state of his health,^asked leave
of ««bsettce the^Mioainder of the session; at the same time stating- that h^ did
not expect ever te meet the Board^agahi^ Sis workj^ he said^ ITas done; .and,
Uftiiigihistfeehlehand9)hepitayed tliat the Uessiiig^ Ged'^miiAt test< tna the
^costees, the faculty, ^the students', aWi idkoonBteted^'#itl^ Wtefi«mbf4 and
bekived inetitutiotfi • Thls'M8^the:ftnal'bened]oM0nH)fVm^^irtnr4^
badbeen^the SeifiorTvustee^^ II irM4ral}P siii itvpfesshe alBid>6cflekM'«^
t«/be forgetteny 1 4Mi sure^by «n9»'«ili^%hti;^lttMed'it. * ' "''I " ' ' • ' '
* Lcaving.it to soiie-^e«f 1>#J*ltiileifti.iwii<goufl iM!(^i]Me««y 9#taiMW iMis hi*
the Lectute rodmy'T willohljrAdd thailheeklewnilig i«xoeUMi4bf iis eU^
Vol. hi. 77
gXO PRESBTTERIAir.
wa his humble and devoted piety, his Attachment to the great traths of the
Qospel, his earnest desire to honour his Lord and Sayioor, and to extend to his
fisUowHsinners that precious Oospd by which he was himself so wonderfiilly sus-
tained and comforted in the evening of his days.
I am, my dear Sir^ with great respect,
Tours very truly,
JAMES GABKAHAK.
FROM THE BET. ITIO^OLAS MURRAT, D. D.
ELisABiTHxowir, January 15| 1868.
My dear Sir: I cannot possibly refuse your request for my recollections of our
late beloved and venerated Dr. Miller; and yet, as I am well aware that your
own long and intimate acquaintance with htm qualifies yon to render every testi-
mony that could be desired concerning his character, I shall limit myself to an
aooount of an interview that I had with him a short time before his death — an
interview rendered memorable to me not only by the ikct that it was the last,
but from its having witnessed to one of the most remarkable exhibitions of the
very sublimity of Ohristian triumph, that have ever come within my know-
ledge.
The Historical Society of New Jersey had met at Princeton, now a place of
patriotic, and classic, and sacred assodations. It was a noble gathering of men
distinguished in their various professions ap Jurists, Advocates, Professors, and
Divines; and there was a most cordial greeting and commingling of these historic
associates. All differences in sentiments, professions, and politics, were laid aside,
while in the pursuit of the one common object of honouring New Jersey by col-
lecting materials fbr its history, and rescuing from oblivion the names of her
many heroic and distinguished sons.
But one was absent who had rarely been absent before, and who was- one of
the founders and Tipe President of the Society; one whose bland and polished
manners always attracted regard, and whose venerable aspect always left an
impression. His absence from the meeting, and in the town of his residence,
excited inquiry; and when it was announced that Dr. Miller was very seri-
ously ill, there was a universal expression of sorrow and sympathy. It was
solemnly felt by all that in those historic gatherings we should see his ikoe
no more.
Dr. Miller's son conveyed to me a message from him that he would like to see
me on the morning of the next day, if convenient. The hour of our interview
was fixed; and, as other engagements required punctuality, I was there at the
moment. i
But, as the barber had Just entered the room, he was not quite ready to see
me, attd he sent a request that I would wait half an hour. This my otber engage-
ments absolutely forbade; and, on sending him word to that effect, he invited me
to his room. As I entered it, the scene whidi presented itself was truly impres-
sive. The room was his library, where he had often counselled, cheered, and
instructed me. There, bolstered in a chair, feeble, wan, and haggard, was my
former teaeher and friend,— one half of his fece shaven, with the soap on the othw
half, and the barber standing behind his chair. The old sweet smile of welcome
played upoa his fece, and having received his kind hand and greetings, he re-
quested me to take a seat by his side. His communication was a brief one : he had
written a history of the Theological Seminary Ibr the Historical Society, which
was not yet printed, and he wished an unimportant error into which he thopght
hehad fidlen to b^ corrected; and that there might bono mistake, he wished me to
write it down,— thus showing his mliiig passion for even verbal accuracy. When
SAMUEL HILLEB. QH
his object in sending for me wis guned« he then, in s most composed and intenselj
solemn manner, thus addressed me:
" Mj dear brother, my sands are almost nin, and this will be, probably, our
last meeting on earth. Our intercourse, as Professor and pupil, and as minis-
ters, has been one of undiminished affection and confidence. I am just finish-
ing my course; and my only regrets are that I hare not senred my predous
Master more fervently, sincerely, and constantly. Were I to live my life 07er
agam, I would seek more than I have done, to know notlung but Ohrist. The
burdens that some of us have borne in the Church will now devolTS upon yon
and your brethren — see to it that you bear them better than we hare done, and
with tkx greater consecration; and as this will, no doubt, be our last interview
here, it will be well to close it with prayer. As I am too feeble to kneel, you
will excuse me if I keep my chair.''
I drew my chair before him, and knelt at his feet. The coloured barber laid
aside his razor and brush, and knelt by his side. As he did not indicate which
of us was to lead in prayer, I inferred, because of his feebleness, that it would be
right for me to do so; and while seeking to compose my own mind and feelings
to the effort, I was relieved by hearing his own sweet, feeble, melting accents.
His prayer was brief, but unutterably touching and impressive. He commenced
it by thanksgiving to Qod for his great mercy in calling us into the fellowship
of the saints, and then calling us into the ministry of his Son. He then gave
thanks that we ever sustained to one another the relation of pupil and teacher, and
for our subsequent pleasant intercourse as ministers of the Gospel. He thanked
God for the many years through which He had permitted him to live and for any
good which He had enabled him to do. '* And now. Lord," said he, ''seeing
that thine aged, imperfect servant is about being gathered to his fathers, let his
mantle fiiU upon thy young servant, and ikr more of the Spirit of Christ than
he has ever enjoyed. Let the years of thy servant be as the y^rs of his dying
teacher; let iJs ministry be more devoted, more holy, more useful; and when
he comes to die, may he have fewer regrets to feel in reference to his past
ministrations. We are to meet no more on earth; but when thy servant shall
follow his aged father to the grave, may we meet in Heaven, there to sit, and
shine, and sing, with those who have turned many to righteousness, who have
washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Amen.''
I arose from my knees, melted as is wax before the fire. My full heapt sealed
my lips. Through my flowing tears I took my last look of my beloved teacher,
the counsellor of my early ministry, the friend of my ripening years, and one
of the most lovely and loved ministers with which God has ever blessed the
Church. Every thing impressed me — ^the library, his position, the barber; his
visage, once iUl and fresh, now sallow and sunken; his great feebleness, his
faithfitlness, his address, and, above all, that prayer, never, never to be forgot-
ten! He extended his emaciated hand from under the wldte doth that hnng
from his breast to his knees, and, taking mine, gave me his parting, his last
benediction. That address — that prayer — that blessing, have made enduring
impressions. It was the most solemn and instructive parting interview of my lift.
When I next saw him, he was sleeping in his cofSn in the front parlour of his
house, where he often, with distinguished urbanity and hospitality, entertained,
instructed, and delighted his friends. That parlour was crowded by distmguished
strangers, and by many of his former pupils, who mourned ftr him ss for a
&ther — ^for a ftther he was to them all. And as they passed' aronnd to take* a
parting yiew of his countenance, from which even death could not remove its
accustomed pladd^ benevolent smile, their every bosom heaved with intense emo-
tion* their eyes were suflbsed with tears; and could the tongue have uttered the
emotions of the heart, it would have been in the language of Elisha when he gased
0J2^ BBB»BrrSRIAK.
riot of Israel^ and the horsemen thereof!"
ivltis^ih ims aaJBalmandftriBiBphaiitas'hiJB life was pare; diaintereBted, and
]oyely>s arid- as > piotis nuen: earrjed- him tp^hiBhurial-^ and as we covered op his
remains ^nder 'the dods^of the iFallej^ the prayer arose at least from one heart,
*^'Mxy: I live the life>of this righteous man^ and let my last end be' like his!*'
•There are many- scenes in the life of Dr. l£ller that memory ^frequently
reoalls-rSioenes in th|^ dass^toom, inthe (General Assembly^ in'the Synod of New
Jersey,- ifi the pnlpiti^in the^'soeii^ party — ^scenes which occurred during the con-
flicts .of* :parties> aild in- the frank and unrestrained mtcroourse of social lifb. In
them sll '^r^^llillep waspre-eminently like himself.- But the soeiie by which I
mos^.loTe'to recall him> and whiah memory most frequently brings back, is that
parting scene in his study. Oh, may that last prayer be answered!
:,t , 'With great regavd^ very sincerely yours,
NICHOLAS MUBBAT
^ AECHIBALD ALEXANDER, D.D*
. i ,1791—1851.
A&OHIBALQ JkifEXANDjtB was of Sootch Irish extraotioD,^-his grand-
father, Ajpchihald Alexander) having emigrated from- Ireland to Yiiginia in
1787. Hi» father, William Alexander, was a person of great worth and
respectability^ and was one of the original Trustees t>f Liberty Hall Acad-
emy, whiqh hus since become Washington College. "The' sabjeot of this
sketch was bom near Lexington, Rockbridge County, Ya., AptU. 17, 1772, and
was the third of nine children. Among the incidents of his early life, he
nsed to relate that, on his arrival at Liberty Pall, where he wen^ to pursue
his studies, he found, on unpacking his trunk, a copy of Soame Jenyns on
the Evidences of Christianity, which his mother had placed th^re without
his knowledge^ He became at once deeply interested in the work, and did
not lay: jit aeide till he bad fininhed reading it.
Jn 1738, a very nnusi^al attention. to religion prevuledi^ the Congrega-
tions ia^yirgimai South of the James River, and JBast of the Bine Ridge.
In August,' 1788, the Rev^ William Graham, Rector of Liberty Hall, in
complianoe with an invitation from the Rev. John Blair Smith, then Presi-
dent^ of Hampden Sidney College, made a visit to Prince Edward, to attend
a Communion in the Briery Congregation. He was accompanied by several
of bis young etudentsj who, he hoped, might fiiid the visit profitable to
them. Arohibald Alexi^ider was one of tibo number ^ and tlie following
incidents ,of tho. visit are related by hiinself : —
; V T^.jeniipn of Itfr^ Qrahami on the text-^' Comfoict <ye,..oomfort, jjb my
people, ',&p,r W»8 th^. first sermon . tJwit >e {.preached, 4m hie first, visit to
P(rinp§ l!dwa«dii when, I , iKMsompanied , him» : ^ wa9 preached :at Briery,
ivim^ilktifly after the iadministration of the Lordfft Snppex^f <atod IXr. 3mith
s^dt^tpfino^ that he<had.Bever.heard'mere'tha»one'8€nAO»' mhklb he lik^ as
Wdli aM* that ^n^ was preached kj Ae'^Bovv Jami'^toheli ,<'! did not
« HoMir b7 Uf MD, B«T. J. A. Alexander, D. D.— Pntb. U»g., n.— Voctto'i BketdiM
«f ya.» Sd Sefkt.
ARCHIBAL9>Ail/BJL/LNDER. gjg
hear tbe fint part .-of this cUseourae^ for there hc^ii^ a ptbBfMf:^ hiSiii\4lie
Oominunion waaa^muuBtered in the hdtt8e;iatid the oon-plt^eMeirai'^whieh
iinmber t belonged^ .were requested' to retnaiia undei^'^eki^IkNi^j'eEiifd heiur
Bermons' ft6m the Bev^-Naah Legrand, and the Bev. Samuel ^Honsibtt,*
Bat the rain came, on and :dr«Ye us intb 'the house, as nuUiy ><a8- could ^ess
in. I remember the peoaliarly^ solemn appearance of>«the eongregation
when i entered the^ house; ^ The speaker was then addressing saeh'to weie
not the people»of Gpdfaiitd he commended ever j paragraph with * Oh oom-
fordeiss yeP !'
It was daring this revival that Arehibald Aleiander,' as he beliefVedv first
beoaine experimentallj aoqaainteid with the power t>f reli^on^v He returned
home with a jojfd,. and as he trostedi a renovated heak^t. • Mr. Ghhaham, on
his return, preached at Lexington, and after the SM'inon callod upon two
yowBig m#n, one of whom was Mr. Alezanderr to lead in prayers The
effect upon the congregation was v«4ry peroeptible> and a revival Of great
power immediately commenced, which extended to almost ev^ry Presbyter
rian Ohurch in the Yalley of Virginia. Mr. Alexander made a public' pro-
fession of his faith in the autumn of 1789w
Several young ?men who were the subjects of this remal, ditected their
attention to the study of Theology, under the superintendenee of'Mr. G#a-
ham and of this niunber was young Alexander.
In the spring of 1791, Mr. Alexander, at the suggestion^ Imd : by the
earnest desire, of hir Preceptor, 'Mr. Oraham, consented^togo to Philadel-
phia to attend die General Assembly, in the capacity of a ruling ield^.
There were many highly interesting incidents attending his journey and
visit, but he seems to have felt ill at ease on account of his extreme youth;
and what he undertook then not without great reluctance, he regarded in
after life, as having been at best an ill-judged and awkward affur.'
On the 1st of October, 1791, when he was nineteen years of age, he was
Ucensed to preach the Gospel by the Lexington' Presbytery. 'The text of
his trial sermon before the Presbytery, which was given him by^the Ber.
Samud Houston, waa *-^But the Lord said unta me, say^ not I am a ehild:
for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command
thee, thou shalt speak" -Jer. i. 7.< > Mr. Graham listened to the sermon
with the deepest interest | and, at the dose of it, expressed "toa few fri^ds
a most fiivourable opinion of the character and prospects of the young man
* SAMimL HovBTOv, the Km of Jobu and Salty (Todd) Houytooy waa bom within the limila
of the Kew^Proridenoe Oohgregatioiky Va^> iaad ooini>leted hie edoMCtioii about Ch^ tiime of the
xemoTal of Liberty Hall Aeademj to the neicfaboorhood of lAzingtoDi' > Iv 1781; when he inm
in hii twentv-thiid year^ he lerred for a whUe in the army of the ReTolntion. InNorember
of that reMr> he' WaareoelTed by the= Huorer Pretbyterr at a eandidatii for' the ininiflUy ) aiid
on the &d off Oetober. 17S^ wai lieenied to preaeh the Qoopel. On the 90th of May^ ITSl he
aooepCed a oaU from the Profidenee Oongregation, in what ia how. TenneMee* and wai ordafaned
on the thfitl ^?«dnee(biy Of Aaj^ foUbwitar.' When the Preilyyteiy bT AbihgdOflilrafl fbrmed
iu Aug^ 1786, Mn, Boofton beeame one of lie members In oomnion with moit'Of*' his %rethr
rcii at the iinie, he leenu bo Iiqvc mmglt^d a good deal in oivil aflthiijp^ and wai a lealona adTO-
eiLto f^r the fonnMioD of a naw State Ui b« eMled'FranldKn. ' OlHnf to taribitt «iiiiUDataoee|k
he T«tdmed lo Virgluia, AoroeUmo l>erure tbe State of* TennetMeWM formed^ and '0Jtf>theB4tih
of October, l7S9t wm culmttt«d & member »f the Leziogton PretbTterr. On, the SOth of Segh
t«mbec, 17filr be v»Dpt0d&c»U itttm Fi^Ulng fijtting for CwO'^tbixdibrliii'time; aiid here and
At Htgb Bridge he perrorrnvd the 4ntie# of a. nlinister with great ilddil^<nhtfl he wai dliahlea
hj iho inllrmittu of oga. tlfl w». fcvr m&djr yean, a popnlar and snoeiieBftil ieadielr of a elaV'
ioal •ehoot . lie attended the S^nod of Virginia for the laat time in 06tob«jr. 18S7, BaliBnH'io
the deba^es wUb gt^at int«r?st, and fin&llr «re bia Tote to aOftalh'the Bzanndiiur Aet^of the
Oflii«ml Aafembiy of tha.1 year^ Ho died on the 20th of Jannaiy> 1830, 'aged elghW-CB^
yeaie.^ E« 1> wpttsttinio^ am lin^g QttLt«d great modeaty With' jprbat idtreiddlQf''ldld Vuieyo^
lenoe.
514 FBESBYTEBIAK.
who had delivered it. Boring the winter 8acoeeding.iii0 lioensikre, he was
oooupied, partly in gratoitoua misaionarj labour, and partlj in stroplying
the pulpits of his friends^ — ^the Bev. Nash Legrand and the Bev. William
Hill, one of whom was absent on a journey, the other confined by illness.
The General Assembly having directed each of the Synods to recommend
*'two members well qualified to be employed in missions on our frontiers,
for the purpose of organising churches, administering ordinances, ordaining
elders," &c., the Commission of the Synod of Virginia, on the 19th of
April, 1792, appointed Mr. Alexander, then a probationer under the care
of the Lexington Presbyteiy, to carry out the purpose of the Assembly,
by engaging in the missionary work. In fulfilling this appointment, he
laboured in several of the destitute oounties of Virginia, and wherever he
went, was greatly adtbired, as well fbr his quiet and unassuming manner, as
for his simple and sparkling eloquence. In this missionary tour he Was
occupied about six months, during which Ume he visited fifteen or nxteen
counties in Virginia, and several in North Carolina.
The Bev. John Blair Smith having accepted a call to Philadelphia, the
Congregations of Briery and Cumberland, together with the Trustees of
Hunpden Sidney College, invited Mr. Ghraham to take charge df both the
College and the Churches; and upon his returning a negative answer, the
attention of the people was directed to Mr. Alexander. ML the Presbyterian
Congregations in that neighbourhood were then vacant, — namely, Cumber-
land including the College, Briery, Buffalo, and Cub Creek including
Charlotte Court House; but for the two first named, the Bev. Drury Lacy,
then acting President of the College, was a regular supply. It was agreed,
upon consultation, to call two ministers, who should serve these several
churches in rotation; and Mr. Lacy and Mr. Alexander were the two desig-
nated, both of whom signified their acceptance. They wete to preach in
six different places, — their field being not less than sixty miles in length,
and thirty in breadth ; and their travelling was all on horseback. This
arrangement, however, proved inconvenient .to the pastors, and unsatisfso-
tory to the people ; in consequence of wUch, a division of the field was
soon effected, and Mr. Alexander received for his share the Churches of
Briery and Cub Creek. He was ordained at Briery, November 7, 1794,
and was dismissed from Cub Creek, April 11, 1797, and from Briery, Nov-
ember 16, 1798.
Mr. Lacy having resigned the Presidency of the College in 1796, Mr.
Alexander accepted a call to become his successor; and though the institu-
tion, owing to various causes, was at that time in a depressed and languish-
ing state, he, by his great wisdom and untirmg industry, soon imparted to
it a more healthftd and vigorous tone, as well as greatly increased the num-
ber of its students. His combined influence in the College and in the pul-
pit, at this period, was at once very powerful and very extensive.
In 1796, Mr. Alexander went as a delegate to the GUineral Assembly at
Philadelphia ; and such was his popularity as a preacher, that the Pine
Street Church, then vacant by the removal of Dr. John Blidr Smith to the
Presidency of Union College, invited him to become their Pastor. He,
however, declined the invitation.
About the year 1797, Mr. Alexander became seriously doubtful in respect
to the authority of infant baptii!m. The occasion of this was what he after-
wards regarded as 'Uoo rigid notions as to the purity of the Church, with a
ARCHIBALD ALEXANDEB. gjg
belief tbat receiving infants had a oorrapting tendenoj.*' He firanUj stated
4he embarrassment he felt on the subject, to his people and his Presbjteiy;
and bj both was tolerated in the omission to administer the ordinance to
in&nts for a year or two ; bat he subsequently became satisfied that his
scruples were not well founded, and returned to his former practice.
In 1801, he was sent a second time to the GUineral Assembly. His
health had now become considerably reduced, in consequence of his arduous
labours, and he felt the need of relaxation and rest. Accordingly, after
the Assembly had closed its sessions, he proceeded to New Bngland, as
a delegate to the Oeneral Association of Oonneotiout, and continued his
journey as far East as Portsmouth, N. H. He preached in various places,
and there nre still persons living in New England, who will speak in rap-
tures of the wonderful efiect which his eloquence produced upon them. On
his return home, he preached in the Third Presbyterian Church in Balti-
more, and shortly after received a call to settle there, as the successor of
Dr. Allison, but declined it.
In 1806, he received a second call from the Pine Street Church in
Philadelphia ; which, owing to the weight of his duties in the College, in
connection with some other circumstances, he determined to accept. He
was received a member of the Presbytery of Philadelphia on the 2l8t of
April, 1807, and was installed on the 20th of the next month, — the Sermon
on the occasion being preached by the Rev. George C. Potts.* Here he
continued, an eminendy fitithful pastor and popular preacher, for about six
years.
In 1807, at the age of thirty-five, he was chosen Moderator of the Gen-
eral Assembly. The next year he preached the opening Sermon on the
text — '* Seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the Church ;" (1 Cor.
xiv. 12 ;) and on this occasion he maae a suggestion in regard to the impor-
tance of a Theological Seminary, which is supposed to have had an important
bearing on the ultimate action of the Church in establishing the Seminary
at Princeton.
In 1810, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him. by
the College of New Jersey.
In 1812, the Assembly having decided on establishing a Seminary at
Princeton, Dr. Alexander, on the 2d of June, was chosen to the Professor-
• GmoRQn OmAMLWB Potts mm a deeeendapt of an BngUih ofleor by the name of Potte, wIio»
when the anny of OromweU made iti memorable ineomon into Ireland, (1640,) remained in
the lilaad and beoame the head of an Irieh honee. He wae bom In Qontlbret, Covnty of
Monagban, in 1776; wae ednoated at the Univenity of Gla^w; and wae lieeneed to preabh
tbe Goipel by the Presbytery of Monaghan. He entered with great ardonr into the mtmoraUe
straggle for freedom; Jobed the Sodety of United Iriehmen; and in 1705 risited Paris as the
bearer of an impwtant oommonieation to the Frenoh Nationsl Oonrentlon. While on this
embassy, he trarelied as ikr as Switserland. Bnt being satisfied that he oonld not remain with
Sleety fai his native oonntry, he direoted his eoarse to the United States, and arrired here in
Jnly, 1707. After meaobing for some time to Taiions Taeant ohnrdhes in Penn^lrania and
Delaware, he ohose Philadelpoia as the field of his permanent labonrs, and, with the sanetion of
the Presbytei7, |athei«d a new Chnroh in the Bonthem part of the dty. In Jane, 1800, he
was ordained and installed Pastor of the Fonrth ChnrBh ; whieb, from a small beginning, grew
to ■ large and well established eongregation. Here he eontinoed in the faithfm disdhann of
hlsdntl ' ."-i^ 1^..
ehaige.
ferer.
tember, 1888, in his sizty-foorth year. ' Witfiont anr hfgh degree of popolanlty as a pifeaeheir,
he was distingQishe4 for soundness of jndgment ; for the kindliness of bis spirit and manners ; for
the most fidtnfril attention to his pastonu dnties ; and for a eordlsl ^ympatny In ereiy enterpiise
designed to promote any of the great interests of humanity. He was the jfatber of the Rot.
George Potto, D. D.-, Pastor of the Cbmeh in Unirenlty Plaoe In the olty of New York.
his duties, for thirty-six years, when, on aooount of his inoreasiog inllimitles, he resigned Us
. For three years preeeding his death, he wss an iuTalid, and ooeasionally a araat suf-
^10 PRESBTTXSFAK. Mf ^
ship ^f'Didftot& and* Polemid TlMologT..> Be AOoqrfedf tbs :«ppontiium«^
mller oonsidevable d^beratwtf, aod wa8.iDaiigimt0d'Oti^theii9tfi:of':;Anigiisl
followiug,-«»^n Appropriate SermoD on ihei oooasion being preaolied "hj^Ae
Btf7.i:iDr. MiUer, srlaohi in' conoeotion< with' X>r. Aloxander'a Inangainl
Address, was publiafaedk'ii i. " j .
Here he oontinned iii:tfae kborioua disoharge of his dinties tHliieae:the
olose of lifecii* iAbont smonth before "he died^he wae aitaekediirtth djfsen^
tery, .vrUkshhadbeen-'preTailing to some extent in that regioaq acod Us
friends,' fr6m /the oommenoement of his disease, were somewhat opprdiensiTe
of a fatal result*' '! He oentinued to sink gradnalljT) nntiL ife^beoameiaippaient
to aU;^ and to none: more than himself, that he had nearly ddne>^i^Ui:ithe
worlds Ho coatemplaied die approaching event with the^ntroort eidmness,
and felt thaAtihe oixonmstances of his departure were >allevdered in great
merqr.: li-was a -sonroe.of speoiat'gratifioatton to'him' that /his 8on{ dn
ReT.i Dr. James W. Alexander, i who -had been 'passing >a» 'few monthe(«n
Europe, reached Princeton, on his return, a week before his. &ther?sdeatk
He died in perfeet peaeeon the 22d of Ootober,.1861. ' The Synod of <New
Jersey, which.* was in* session at Frinoeton ai4he time, attended Us Funeral
on the 24th«--(rAn approprtateKSermon being preaehed on the oooasion by ;the
Rev.Br. :MoPewelU<whom Dr. Alexander himself had des^piated^ta per^
form the service. ^ "
Dr. Alexander was married on* the 6th of April, ; 1802^ i to. Janotta^
daughter t>f the Rev. James WaddeU D. D., of the countyof Louisair^-a
connection with which no small part of the happiness of his future life was
identified. Mrs. Alexander diediaf^ a brief illness, on the 7th of -Septem-
ber, 1852. They^had seven children^who surviyed them^-v-six'eans and one
daughter. Of :the sons,, three sore ministers of the Gespel|'4wQ»affe lawyers^
and one is a physician^ i •
The following, is a :list of Dr. Alexander's publioatiens.^ffns^'' i n^ •
Y0LUKS8.
A Brief Outline of the Evidences of the Christian Religion, 1326. ' I2ind.
The <}lmbn of the Old and New Testament ascertained ; or the Bible com-
plete without the Ap9crypha and unwritten Traditions, 1826. 12ihd. A
Selection of Hymns; adapted to the Devotions of the Oloset^ the Family,
and the Social Oircle, and containing subjects appropriate to the Monthly
Ooncerts of Prayer for the success of Missions and Sunday Schools, 1881.
(Seven hundred andlforty-two. hymns.) 82m6.^ The Lives ef thePiatriarchs,
published by the 'Attefican Sunday School Union, •1886^ * 18mo. History
of Israel. 12m6.^ .Biograpbioali' Sketches^ -of .the Founder and 'Principal
Alnii/ni of the'Iiibg College;, together with an aooount of^e Revivals of Reli-
gion-under their Miniiiryiil84&l 12m6. .A History. of Colbhisation on the
Westeim Obast of Afridk} 1846; 8voi 'A History of the Israelitish Nation
from; their. Ofigii^ tp^'lbeir Dispetsion a^' the destruction, of Jerusalem by the
Ronums,1862. Svo^OuUines'bf Moral Science, New Y:orkrl852«' 12mo.
PAMPHLITfl.
A Serm6n.at.the.opeBingiof.ithe: Genend Assembly^ 1808« i A. Discourse
occasioned by the burning of ..the Theatre in the city of Richinctod, Ya.,
1812*. A MBsionaryuSermon. before the Ckneral Assembly^^clSlS. tAu
Inaugural Discourse delivered at .Princeton ^ 1814. ASertaion to Touiiig
Men, preached in the chapel'ofihe> College of New Jersey, 1826. .Sugges-
AKGHIBAIiB ALEXANDER. fil'J
tions in viodioation of Sunday: Sdioob, 1829. Qremib in Oraoe rvTwo 8e>
monS:in-tfa« National PteaiAceis 1429. . <A Sermoit bdbre 4h6 .^Ameiioan
Board of Commissiotiera fot Foreign Miflsbnffi 18S9i^^-SheJPa8t6ltdOffio(9S
A SotmOn preaofaedwiu Pkiladelpbia^ iiidfore tlie^Asso<MsH0ft lof i^^^^
of thft Tbeolegif^/S^miottrj'Vt Princeton, May "21, 1^84i^>The Houie of
Ood Desirible': A'Seirm'onin the PresbyteHan-Pi^aoher; 1485.^- The Peo-
ple of Odd led ill Uukiibwn Ways : A Sermoir Preached fn the^Pir&t'Pifedby-
terian Ohurcb; Riohtnqiid, 1842. An AddreKs delireired before' ihe Aloniiii
Assodiation pf Washington College, Ya., on .Commencement day, 1948.
He published IntroduotiOiifi to Bfatthew Henry's Commentary, Worla of
the Bey, WiUiaiii Jay, ai^d Dr. Waterbury's Advice to a young Ohxistian.
The following books und tracts, as weUafr some of those onentioned above,
are issueirby.tb^.Pvesbytenau Soard of Publication :**^> •'.». i >.
Practical'Secmons; to ^be readvin'-FamHiesi and- fiooiaLr:Meeiaiigs, Ave.
Letters to'the Aged^/lSma.* oGounsela of ithe Aged: to the 'Soadgii ISmo^
Universalnm. fidsc' andiuiiict4ptui»al, 'li8md. i A Brief* €dmpend* cf Bible
Truth, 12mo. Divine Guidance; or the people t>f Ged-Ied iii Unknown
Ways, 82ino. '• Thoiiqghtff^oli Beli^ous ExfpeHence; l^mo.' * l%i9 £S£d of the
Bev. Bichitrd Baz^, (an abridgment,) 18mo/ -This Iiife of AdHr^ir Mel-
ville j (an abrid^metat,) '18md. The Life of Jdhn Knox^ tUe Scottbh
Befotrmer, (an abridgmebt,) 18mb. The Way of Salvittibn 'fiuniliarly
explained in a conversation between a Father and his Children, 82ino.
To which must be.added the following Tracts :— - .
ihe Duty of .Catechetical Instruction. A. Treatise on JnstificatioB.by
Faith*. Christ's gracious Invitation to the weary.and heavy-laden^ ••Buth,
the Hoabitesst Love to an Unseen Saviour. Letters 'to the Aged. A
Dialogue between a Presbyterian and a Friend {Quaker). '^ The Amiable
Tenth falling ebort •■ of Heaven. The Importance of Sidvation. : Futute
Punishment Endless; > Justification l^ Faitb. Sinners welcome tor- Jesus
Christ. The following Tracts have been published by the American Tract
Society :-^The Day of Judgment. The Misery of the' Lost. '
FROM THE My. lOHK HALL, D. D.
TuHMv^-Karoh 28^ 1806.
My dear Sir : It' would give me great pleasured to make^thtrdightesi contribu-
tion to thid materfalBfor illustrating the clHtraicter<rf Dr. AlexaMder; but I do
not find any thing in my reoolleotionff or impressions* that seeitas'to have any
original vahie»' Sucb as they are, howeyer, they are at your service.'
My first recollection ef Dr. Alexander is as theOateel^st-of the children of his
congregation in Philadelphia.^ Through the only irinter whicb f n^ old enongh
to attend, we were assembled on Saturday afterneone in^tiie mslM: aiirte of the
church. . Our stets were the balse-covered benches > used by ihe oommunicatits,
when sitting at tbe Lord^a table: • The aisle* Was ^ved with brickb^-and' with the
grivestone o#>Dr/Duffield;arlbrfflef Pastor of the Cfaurcb; «A large tiri-plate
stove in tbemiddle,^wa8 the^^mly heater*' Near it the Pastor tfOCkliis seat, by
a small (tables and put'jthe class -through the Shorter 'Oateehisiil.v The older
children were required to bring written ipl>oofti of eortain'points assigned. • I was
scarcely cot of>myinfknc3ft when the Doctor left PbMiadelpbia fbr-^rinct^lDn/anLd
cannot revive any laspreBsionvof his course^aS a Pastoi*- beyond' thtf incidents of
the middl^aisleenrSaturdRj8;( but I^oould net havi»' paased* s^^'nnieh'Of m/lMb
among those iwhd never ceased to speak «f his ministry with^biid ^recitHIs'^f itB
extraordinary ^ne,rw!Hhout receiving some idea ef 'Hs cbaraeterilrtte; t Tf migitie
Vol. III. ' 78
Ql^ PRESBYTERIAir.
then, a man of Dr. Alexander's knowledge, viBdom, and pietji placed oyer a
people of plain habits, but of religioos dispositions, — to whom he would and
easily eouid accommodate his bearing and language at all times and in all places;
always simple, affable and in good hamoor, but neyer Ught, familiar or undigni-
fied; inexhaustible in conservation, yet not exciting a thought that he loved to
talk or to be heard; suiting himself to each one's intellectual and spiritual con-
dition with equal facility; delighting most to serve the poor and ignorant, and
adapt himself to them, but just as well qualified, and as much at home, in serv-
ing those who stand h%hest in the social or mental ranks; in preaching, actuated
by no ambition of greatness; and yet attaining it by the very talent of making
every class of hearers interested and pleased; so living among his people that all
could confide in him as their best fHend and counsellor in private as well as in
the pulpit; accustomed to have their tenderest emotions kept in action by the
sagacity and force with which his sermons, prayers, exhortations, and conversa-
tions were perpetually penetrating their hearts, and having no eccentricities or
habits that would qualify the general tenor of so much excellence — imagine such
a Pastor, and you will not wonder how a plain congregation could lov$ as well as,
or even more than, admire him.
As is so often the case with the most effective preachers, no printed sermons
of Dr. Alexander's can give an adequate conception of the interest which belonged
to their delivery, especially when he preached without a manuscript. It was the
naturalness of his manner, — the getUng up and talk^ig rather than a formal ora-
tion or lecture, — ^the sweetness of his voice and the delightful modulations of its
tones, in which feeling and understanding, instead of the rules of elocution,
were obviously exercising the whole direction — ^that captivated the ear, even
when the matter made no impression. He had very peculiar cadences — ^tones
BOW so tender, and now so solemn, and now so long-drawn, and always so unaf-
fected, that one who did not know the language he spoke, must have been moved
by Uie very sound and manner. So his gestures were peculiar. They were not
graceful, neither were they ungraceful; but they were natural and significant.
The fore-finger pressed on the chin at the pause of a sentepce which called for
serious reflection — ^the head thrown down, and eyes peering forth in silence, as
if expecting that what he had said nwut be that moment taking effect,— every
look and tone indicatmg that h%$ soul was in what he was saying, and that he
was moving the souls he addressed, — many more such unstudied, unaffected traits
of his manner in preaching can be recalled by those who heard him, than they
can describe to the apprehension of those who never enjoyed this privilege. The
words were not remarkable for rhetorical excellence, except the utmost sim-
plicity of expression, adapted to all classes of hearers, be admitted to be such
an excellence in the pulpit. Hence his universal acceptance. I have before me
a family letter, written by my fbther in June, 1818, who, on his way to the sea-
shore at Long Branch, stopped for the Sabbath at tiie little village of Eatontown,
in the neighbourhood. This was six years after Dr. Alexander left Philadelphia,
when we were his parishioners. He writes, — *^ We had the pleasure of hearing
Dr. Alexander preach yesterday. It was in a neat Methodist Church about
three miles fVom this town. The Doctor had a ride of four miles. The preacher
of the place finished about twelve o'clock, and our Doctor began in about fifteen
minutea afterwards. His intention was to make a short address; but as he
advanced in the discourse he seemed to become interested, and a more animated,
eloquent discourse I never heard firom him. His text was, 'Takemyyoko
upon you,' Ac. His audience, though at times very noisy, (I auppose this
alludes to the audible demonstrations of sympathy often heard in churches of
this denomination,) were very attentive, and seemed to feel the word preached.
His sermon was nearly an hour and a quarter long, and when he finished, though
unusually late, the good people seemed to be in no haste to go. They tarried
ARCHIBALD ALEZANDEB. 619
about the door tail he came ont, and I belieTe the whole coDgr^tion stood look-
ing at him, as if wondering who he was.'' It will be admitted bjr those who
knew the Doctor's temperament and characteristics, that this was just the
occasion for one of the most striking manifestations of his power, and such will
readily belieye that the extempore discourse that so charmed a plain, country con-
gregation, would have proved equally fascinating and impressiye to the most cul-
tivated persons who might have been present, if their hearts had the least sympa-
thy with Dirine subjects. Indeed the youngest of his hearers were often kept
attentive by the manner so direct and colloquial, in which he often preached. A
relative, who was but sixteen years old when the Doctor removed to Princeton^
informs methat he has never forgotten the substance of many of his disooursesy
and recognises several passages in the volume of ''Practical Sermons" as once
heard in Pine Street.,
The vivacity, intelligenoe, and inquisitiveness, of Dr. Alexander's conversa-
tion will be remembered among his most agreeable qualities; and I have often
been reminded of a remark I heard when a child, from my mother, that, what-
ever was the business or calling of any one with whom he conversed, one would
have supposed that the Doctor was of the same pursuit, and had lived in the
same place. Though always seeking information from every one he encountered,
he seemed already to be &miliar with the leading facts, and generally with
details. A friend of mine once said to me that while a student at the Seminary,
he was often foiled in trying to communicate to his teacher in their fkmiliar
interviews something new or uncommon that occurred to him in his reading or
observation, and had to content himself with the resolution to be constantly
receiving every sort of information from him without imparting any in return.
After leaving the Seminary, however, he spent ten years in India, and upon his
return, he went, as he said, with some confidence that he could now find some-
thing to say that Dr. Alexander did not know beforehand; but, after a long con-
versation, he came away with the disheartening impression that he knew more,
even about India, than himself.
But the more I strive to give expression to my views of his peculiaHdes, the
more confident I become that he was one of those uncommon men whose traits
cannot be communicated by description, and who must be seen and heard to be
at all appreciated, or to have the secret of their influence and popularity under-
stood.
Very respectfully yours,
JOHN HALL
FROM THE BEY. H. A. BOABDMAK, D. D.
Phila.db£PBIA, April 9, 1866.
Bev. and dear Sir: It has given me very great pleasure to learn that you were
engaged in writing a series of biographical sketches of the leading ministers of
our country, and I cannot deny your request when you ask me for a letter to be
inserted in your account of the hite venerable Dr. Alexander. It was my privi-
lege to be a good deal in the society of our revered Professor, during the three
years I spent at Princeton; and I was in the habit of meeting him not unfre-
quently, down to the close of his life. But I have had no advantages above those
enjoyed by many of my brethren, for supplying the sort of reminiscences you
desire; nor can I write any thing which /should regard aSB a fitting tribute to
the memory of this patriarchal man. But I am quite willing to say just what
occurs to me on the subject; and* you must allow me to say it in the most desul-
tory manner.
If I were to attempt to account for Dr. Alexander's great influence both in the
Seminary and out of it, I should say, first of all, that it was not owing to any
620 PKESBTTBBIAH^
assumption of saperio>rity on :hi8 p«rt. For, aside ftmn the ikei that pretensions
of this kind are apt t«>: defeat their owa end, all who Icnew him^ are.air«re< that
entire exemptioiv^from^anolL claims was one of his proniinent ohaipqteristics^ tfo
one could be more tmassumingiH manner and disposition than fae.wa^^ Nor was
liis influence tabe ascribed altogetheF>or eren chiefly, to the. splendour Qf his
abilities^ For, although his talents and attainments were of a very high 6ider,
tliey were npt of so extraordinary a cast as to place, him jin this view aboye all
his contemporaries. But the secret of his power OTcr men lay ia^the singulai;
i^Hnhination ot exoelleneies which his character presented — in his blended i»^
and wisdom; his simplicity and consistency; his sound sense and his ifpirit^
uality; his neVer saying nor doing foolish things, and his hearty sympathy with
OTcry thing good» and kind, and useful; and above all, or ias pervading idl, his
deep experimental knowledge of the human heart, and of the Gospel as the only
remedy for its corruptbns. None who were in the habit of/hearing him preach,
wiU wonder at the sway he exerdsed over those brought in contact with him.
1*0^ how can we help reverencing a man, whom we feel, as soon as he begins to
spfaH, busy about out hearts, and. who goes on opening one^ ward niter another,
until we bcj^n to fetfr that there is not a secret chamber that he will not enter,
and expose |J1 that is in it? This was what Dr. Alexander did-^he addressed
himself so much to the consciences of people,— came home so thoroughly to
thnr o^frn varied experiences, tiiat they must have been either 'more or less than
hiiinan not to be moved by it. He seemed to have studied every phase of char^
acter, and to be equally at home in every part of the wide fleld of experimental
religion. It mattered : not whether the subject were joy pr sorrow, . temp-
tation or triumph, submission or rebellion, trust or despondency, fiuth or works,
the flesh or the Spirit,, life or death— ryou soon saw, in listening to him, that :it
was familiar ground to him, and that wherever you were, he had been there
before you. His discursive iaikt at the Sabbath afternoon conferences in the
Seminary, if gathered up by a stenographer, would have formed a body of prac^
tical and casuistical Bivinity, inferior to nothing of the kind in the language.
His students, in all their doubts, and conflicts, and fears, felt at full libwty to
consult him, and they always found him perfectly accessible. He could pene-
ti^te the nature of their spiritual difficulties from a hint or two, as readily as
Ouvier, the great naturalist, could identify a skeletQii from a single joint. He
was quick in discerning, and gentle but flrm in admintstoring, the antidote which
every case required. And then his counsels carried such authority with them
that they were fer more eflbctive than they would have been, had the same sen-
timents been expressed by another person. The feeling was, that it was not
safe to disr^ard the views of one, who evidently enjoyed in so high a degree the
presence of the Holy Spirits And so strong was this feeliifgc'lhat many a con-
scientious student has had his hope revived by an encouraging word from his
revered teacher, while others of doubtftil picfty have been led by his.|>atemal and
fkithfiil suggestions to tuni aside into some more suitable profession. '
There was a charm about Dr. Alexander's public m'lnistnitibiis thiit no one
who eVer heard him can forget. His unique and inimitltble manner-^o simple,
so vivacious, so earnest, was sure to rivet the attentloti. His dis6onriBes were
replete with instruction drawn fresh from th6 fountain df Wisdom'. A mere
rhetorician' might hate criticised them as deficient in omamrnit; but no one felt
this in listening tPliim. He had the rare feculty of making didactic and fkmiliaf
topic's interesting even to persons of no religion; for his sermons ptfrtook of the
vitality and freshnes^.of his mind, which Was Iticti a perennial Ibmitidn sieYidJng
off iti^ sparkling waters. They abounded in terse apothegms, l^d glte'med with
pithy and pleasant saymgs, like the bright flowers which light up thd rich gi^een
of a prairie. Ton could not possibly suppress a smile sometimes, at the lively
turns and sprightly sallies whk^ occurred in his discourses; noY ISss at the fell-
eiipfWi<«9pBeMioD8.with:i7bioli,.iii.»-8ii}gl9 8«iitonpQ^.he«^09d4-pQl^?«b«for9 you a
nri^ |«»D»oript qf vii^ wiifrpMaingiii^yiQiir^tnk breasi. ; .Igprn siniM, not from
lightness of feeling, but from pure plessurerTrft.pieasaret' bleared with: deep
«4a<|snesa*<uidpftoi with -the spirit.of deTotionw Thiss^sim^lioitysnd anima-
ticiiiB^ iron tJ^ bmrts. ^ iu^hearerfti and, they fi>lk>ved vhithetspever'^e chose to
lefi^^9i> not^becanse they..T«aolo<d to^follaw him, but tesatisft they: were too
iauriii^x<l^ni8ted«te sesolve any lihing about it;> A» there was. ;qo., ostentation in
his mapnery.nopretensiony no demaad. for applause, eriticism^ was tdisarmed and
led eaptiTe. . Men* of all classes t felt his po^er alike. Beyond any «iiaia(ter of
bi9 cll^9bisr.p]peachingwa8:^9qnaUy':aoeeptable to then learned and tike. illiterate,
thff (dd and the. young, the untutored and the refined. For.the nal^^tfr« bf all
meniisthe.fiame, and Dr.rAlezander was*one.of Nature's preaqhen. !&e was so
simply that ehildren coold nnderstiuid him; but his> simplicity ^yer- degenera-
ted into.stUiiiessr4t was the graceful but invisible mould into which the instinct
of ^blsau^tare> andithcbiiabit of this lifeymade him east the richestiOre of Diyine
truth.,
:XhqrB is no great^Mskonent of rpower in the pulpit tban<tbe capacity. . of tadting
religious emotion. : This must take precedence of intellectual* prowess,'Of learn-
ing, of brilliancy of imagination, oft logical . astuteness^ and. of all the graces of
<M?atoryx c J>r, AXewider possessed it in. combination with several of thes0 quali-
tiecj in a most ^mark»ble degree.: He could setforth.the Gbspel inits adapta-
tiQin}t<]fc.4ihei endlessly diversified states of human feeling, with a skill and effect
tnily wonderfoli { And the fiuaUty with which he could awaken, emotions of
gratitude, praise, contrition, joy and the like, gave him A rare' control- over any
Christian auditory. Nor did his sermons die with the occasion; they combined
with the radical principles and affections of his hearers, and went to strengthen
and perpetuate their reirerence fpr him.
Besides rthe; elements of power to which I have already referred. Dr. Alexan-
der's great influence was to be ascribed, in no small measure, to his earnest sym-
pathy' with his kind. A stranger, to look in upon him in his study, — an old man
half doubled in big big chair, engaged with his books and manuscripts, and
occupied professionally as a teacher of Theology, might have conjectured, at first
sight, tliat he was as much isolated from the great Babel in feeling as he was in
situation. , But this was not the case; and the whole Ohurob jknew it^ He never
sank the mau in. the philosopher, nor the citi;^n and patriot in th« divine. His
sterling common sense formed a bond of union between .himself and.his fellow-
men, which neitbor his scholafitio pursuits, npr his high spiritual, at^inments,
ever weakened or tarnished. There was no chasm to be bridged over before you
coiild approach him;-rrno mailed coat of professional dignity to be pierced; — ^no
steps, to climb up to the high oflSdal chair where be satin state. You could not
hear him in the pulpit npr meet him in aocial life, without fj^Iing that there was
a Q9^in9on gropud for yon to stand upon; that there were numerous points of
contact , between ypu and himself; and that you could talk with Jbim as freqly as
with any ptbpr man, .Thei^ was assurance of tbi^, npt oi^ly in his genial, sym-
pathies, but in that native cheerfulness and mother-wit, which mads, him a
delightful oop^panipn. ,B\^ jiiy, psing tbe tepn jn its brpa4 j>l^ophical sense,
re;cea|ed itself often in his discqcir^es, But when bo^was in f^^.bealth, and no
ddpjtr$fi^ fpindi depressed his spirits* i^. would ^sprnqtime^ play 4nth9^ class-room,
and in the iocial circle, like the Aurpra Bprealis. If tbe e!cint,Ulatiqn/9 of it which
hate been preserved by his students couldtbq cqlln^tedj. tboy^wpuld makoa bril-
liant and 9nbstantial volume. But his wit never deg^neraM into qoarseness,
nor his c^eqrfulness into' levity. . It ip^i.ot pcpbaldq tlp^t,%. minute. jMSTutlny into
his mijplsteirial lifq'^otdd bring.tpl^btAJisct.oran qi;pi»^f)n that was incon-
sistent with the dignity of his sacred oflBce. And while he .pffgjaaed'.in.pmate
lifb, he mstmcted. Persons who were drawn around him by hhi yivaoityi
622 PRESBTTERIAN.
seldom retired withoat carrying away some wholesome truth or yaluable sugges-
tion. It was his high vocation to do good; and he seemed never to lose s^ht of
it, nor ever to prosecute it as a task.
I must not omit to say that another source of Dr. Alexander's great power
was his eminent piety. And yet I hardly need expatiate upon this, as a distinct
attribute; for it was to his character what the soul is to the body — the pervad-
ing, life-giving, governing principle; and it would be difficult to speak of him in
any of his relations or pursuits without recognising the fkct of his singular
attainments in holiness. It was his rare fortune to maintain an unsullied
reputation for superior piety, wisdom, benevolence, and consistency, throughout a
ministry of nearly sixty years. This entire period he spent, not in the.sedusion
of a remote rural parish, but in the most prominent and responsible situations —
as the President of Hampden Sidney College, the Pastor of a Church in this
city, and the Senior Professor at Princeton. It was a period, too, of great
excitement, marked by a succession of momentous changes in the politics and
c6mmerce of the world, and with incessant conflicts in Theology and morals.
Yet, with such fidelity to his Master, and with such meekness of wisdom, did he
carry himself throughout, that the most violent contrpvertists have rarely ven-
tured to breathe a word of censure against him.
But it is more than time for me to close. I have simply glanced at some of
the most prominent traits of Dr. Alexander's character, without attempting a
full delineation of it. If these &miliar sketches should afford you the least
assistance in finishing your portrait of one whom we all revered as a Master in
Israel, it is all I could expect or desire.
I remain, my dear Sir,
Sincerely and affectionately,
Your friend and brother,
HEKBY A. BOABDMAK.
FBOM THE BEY. WILLIAM E. SGHENGK.
Philadblphia, April 6, 1867.
Dear Sir: It gives me pleasure to comply with your wish that I should fhr-
nish you some personal reminiscences of the late venerated Dr. Archibald Alex-
ander. His biography has been so well and so thoroughly written, that it seems
almost presumptuous to attempt any thing in addition. If, however, any of the
following impressions or incidents can be of the least service, they are placed at
your disposal very willingly.
I have always accounted it one of the most distinguished privileges o€ my life,
to have lived firom early childhood in the near vicinity of two such men as Dr.
Samuel Miller and Dr. Archibald Alexander. They were, to my youthful mind,
both in and out of the pulpit, very models of ministerial excellence and dignity.
The impression made by them respecting the elevation of goodness and of use-
fulness to which an ambassador of Christ may attain, has not yet worn away,
and never can.
During my boyish years. Dr. Alexander was held in profound reverence,
mingled with strong affection. Although not then specially interested in the
great subject of religion^ I can yet recall the feelings of peculiar delight with
which I always saw him rise in the pulpit and heard him preach, fiis simpli-
city, vivacity, and directness of speech, were such as always to rivet attention,
afford pleasure, convey instruction, and secure conviction, even to a child's
understanding. It was not, however, until I had become a theological student,
that I enjoyed firequent access to him, and almost daily opportunities of hearing
and observing him.
ABCHIBALD ALEXANDEB. Q23
As a lecturer, Dr. Alexander was always profonndy philosophical, instmctiye.
His lectures, as I heard them, were written out with great care, yet he never
confined himself to his manuscript. Assuming an easy position in his chair,
with his forefinger pressed agabst his cheek, he read deliberately and critically,
just as if perusing for the first time the production of another mind, in which
he might possibly detect some error. Frequently a sentence would suggest
remarks not found upon the paper^ when he would enter upon an extempora-
neous discussion of that point, and after a while would come back to his manu-
script. There was so much in his manner that was conyersational, fresh and
easy, that tho attention of any hearer seldom was seen to flag. When attend-
ing to the performances of the students, they always had his carefiil and undi-
vided attention. When critidsing their productions, his remarks were pointed,
brief, apt and judicious. Hundreds of these brief and sententious criticisms
still live in the memories of his students, and many a preacher's whole style of
pulpit performances has been revolutiopiced by a single one of them*
I haye heard it hinted that Dr. Alexander was sometimes tart in his remarks
to the students, and even at times unnecessarily severe. This, I believe, is a
mistake. Although gifted with the power of uttering prompt and scathing sar-
casm, when occasion called for it, he was exceedingly chary in the use of this
formidable weapon. During a somewhat intimate acquaintance of over twenty
years, and after seeing him in every va^ety of circumstances, I cannot remem-
ber to have heard him utter a single sharp remark, which my own Judgment did
not regard as entirely suitable and called for by the occasion. Indeed there was
only one class of his students with whom he ever used sarcasm. They were
ths Mtlf-coneeiUMd. For them he agreed with Solomon that severe remedies alone
could be expected to do any good. With these his remarks were sometimes like
the point of a pen-knife, thrust into an inflated balloon. Many a mortifying yet
beneficial collapse has followed them. Sut to the self-distrustM and the hum-
ble, his words were uniformly Aill of kindness and encouragement. The stu-
dents always found in him a ready, patient and wise adviser. They knew that
they could resort to him in every emergency in their affkirs, and however busy
he might be, if they did not receive as ample expressions of tender sympathy as
in some other quarters, they irere sure to receive advice that was fhll of practi-
cal sagacity, and genuine pious wisdom. Many a pupil of his, now even past
the meridian of life, not seldom wishes in his exigencies that he could stjUl resort
to him for guidance.
Few things caused more astonishment to Dr. Alexander's clerical visiters than
his extensive and accurate knowledge of the ministers and churches of his own
denomination. He was acquainted not only with their present condition, charac-
ters, and prospects, bu^ was familiar also with their histories from the begin-
ning. This was the case not only with the more important churches in the cities
and larger towns, but with even the obscurest missionary churches. I have
heard him discourse at length about the little preaching places in the Pines of New
Jersey, and along the sea shore, or back in the mountains of Pennsylvania, until
J marvelled how he could possibly either acquire or retain all his information.
After my settlement as Pastor of the First Ohurch in Princeton, he was uni-
formly one of the kindest and inost attentive of parishioners. Although to one
so conversant with the whole circle of biblical and theological science, I knew
that the trpth to which he listened was fiunHiar as the alphabet, yet I never could
have inferred from his manner that it was not to him as fresh and new as to the
most illiterate among my hearers. When his help, either pecuniary or ministe-
rial, was needed to advance the interests or efficiency of the Ohurch, it was
promptly and cheerfully extended.
The depth of experimental piety, apd the clearness of philosophical discrimi-
nation, which were so remarkbly conjoined in him, made Dr. Alexander's
624 PRESBTTEKIAK.
uostadied and d«yotlonal exhorUtions alvrnja yery predoiu to piooB heuran.
It WMSA common feeling ^among th«.jth(H>)ogtoal8tndeat9 thai kis; Sabbath after-
naonf talksin th« :>conferenc^ meetings were among tiie 'motitM profitable of- all his
TBiigiQua inatriiotioiift. For the, same season every^ one «ejoieed«to hoar him at
the>CemmUnion table* : > There< he was perfectly^ ai home, and 'thetioe his'Chri»-
tian hearers would go «way^«fler listening to^h]s<words>Of.ifisdOkir, ^ling that
the^^ had beea refreshed and - sUengthened' by partaking^of ;the yery bttiof the
Ml wine of the Gospel: . Hts very laiit public senrioe was of 4his desdriptio&w On
Sabbath jJSeptember 14/ 1851) he took his 'plaoe <at thet Gonttnanidn^able by my
side, and .delivered, a beantiftil and (most touching address to the ^ommnnicanfts,—
exhorting thorn ns-ifi^grtnwr to a finithful and hopeful > perfofmande of their
duties. ! 'Before the next Gommonion season had come rounds his owji pilgrimage
wai^tenminatedy and he had> as we cannot doubt, entered joyfully upon his eter*
nal.rest.
I £ais]y la ibA spring of 1850, a little more than a year before Dn jyexander's
death, it pleased' a gracious Godlargely to 'pour out his Spirit upon Princeton
and its < institutions of* learning. • Just < preceding this, there had been a brief
season' of . unusual coldness* On a Gommumonoocasioii, a few' weeks before the
re^val commenced, not a single soul was' added to the First Ghurch.- Dr. Alex-
ander occupied the platform with the Pastor, and made -a few jerj pointed and
solemai' remarks ta the Ghristians then present oii their doty in tho'existing state
of religion. * I haye always belieted that those remarks-Were instrumf6ntal, under
Qody of bringing belietersto the throne of grace to supplicate more earnestly for a
reiivat of religion. In a few Weeks it was graciously granted. ' And when it
came, no one took a tivelier interest in it throughout than Dr. Alexander. For six
or seven wedcs, religious services were maintained every evening except Saturday,
and Uie- house was thronged with eager listeners. During this course of senrices,
he repeatedly preached, and although now nearly eighty years of age, it was with
all the richnessj unction, and power, which had characterized the days of his very
prime. ^ One of these sermons was on the parable of the Prodigal Son, and was
peculiarly rich in discriminating and pointed practical remark. More than one
new convert afterward said to me that that sermon had been blessed as a means of
bringing him to the great decision. Afler these meetings had been held some
weeks, Dr. Alexander was consulted about the expediency of continuing them
longer. He adrised that they should be kept up as long as the people continued
manifestly to hunger for the word. " Divine truth,'* he would say, " never yet
surfeited a hungry soul. Only be carefhl to let it have nothing but truth."
• The annual meeting of the Synod of New Jersey was to' b6 held in October,
1851, at Princeton. Before the time came. Dr. Alexander had been stricken
do#n with the iUneito which terminated hb life. Tou have requested me to give
you especially some account of my last interview with him. Directly after this
interriew ecourredj I wrote out with some care a f^l account of it, with no
thought that it 'would ever meet any other eye than my own. It was^ however,
afterwards j, in part^ inserted in the Life of Dr. Alexander by his son, and I prefer
tje-'extract the account as then' published rather than attempt to rewrite it.
M It* was on the morning of the Thursday preceding Dr. -Alexander's death,
t^at I called to inquire after Ids' health. My inquiries having been answered at
thesibor, I was about to leave when I was called back by one of his sons, who
dald' that 'his ihther had heard I was at the door, and desired to see md. As I
entered the- study ^ he tras' lying on-th'e 8of& in his usual dress, but supported by
pillows.!' He extended his hand in a Tory cordial manner^on taking it I found
it- icy cold. He at once said to me in a very warm and tender tone, ' My dear
jrotuigiriend} I have much -desired to see you once more, and am glad to
have this opportunity. I wish to bid you fiurewell* Toti will see me no more in
this life:'
ABCHIBALD ALEXAUDSB. Q^S
" I was fio gnatly orarobme bjr this addresB that I hardly knew what to reply.
I inerely said, ' 1 trust and most earnestly hope, dear Sir, that you may yet be
mistaken. Should it be so, we are confident it would be your inexpressible gain ;
but it would be a sorrowful day indeed for all of us that should surriTO.'
" ' I feel confident/ said he, * that I «m not mistaken; I shall not lire long.
Nor haTo I any wish to stay longer. I haye liyed eighty years, which is more
than the usual term of human life, and» if I remam, I haye little to look forward
to but infirmity and suffering. If such be the Lord's will, I feel thoroughly
satisfied, and even would prefer, to go now. My work on earth I feel is done.
And it does seem to me (he added with great earnestness) as if my Heavenly
Father had in great mercy surrounded me with almost eyery circumstance whi<^
could remove anxieties, and make me feel that I can go without regret. My
affairs • have all been attended to, my arrangements ire all completed, and I can
think of nothing more to be done. I have greatly desired to see my son James
before my departure, and sometimes feared I should not have that priyilege; but
the Lord has graciously brought him back in time to see me, having led him
safely through much peril on the ocean. My children are all with me. The
Church of which you are Pastor is prosperous and flourishing. The Semi-
nary Faculty is again fiill, and the institution is in an excellent condition. The
more I reflect upon the matter, the more all things seem to combine to make me
perfectly willing to enter into my rest The Lord has very graciously and
tenderly led me (he added, closing his eyes and clasping his hands in a devo-
tional manner) all the days of my life. Yes, all the days of my life, ^nd H$ is
now vriik m$ sHII. In Him I enjoy perfect peace !* The last sentence he uttered
in a quick, earnest and happy tone of voice, such as was peculiar to him in.
certain moods. Pausing a moment or two, aa if to recover breath, he then
said:—
" * I have much desired to see you that I might bid you ferewell, and once
more invoke Qod's blessing upon you and your ministry. You have had a strong
hold upon my affections, and I have felt much satisfection in your preaching.
Oontinue as you have begun, and have done thus &r, to preach Ohrist and Him
crucified, scripturally, plainly, earnestly, and Qod will continue richly to bless
your ministry, even as here He has so lately done.' He lifted his hands as if to
pronounce a benediction. I fell on my knees beside the sofe, with my head bowed
and weeping bitterly; nevertheless I tried hard to restrain my feelings, while,
with his hands extended over me, he offered a short and ibrvent prayer, closing
With these words: ' God greatly bless his servant in his person, in his femilv,
and in his ministry. May it please God to give him great useflilness and suooess^.
May many souls be saved through his efforts; and when his work is done, may
we be permitted to meet again in a happier world. Amen.'
*' As I arose from my knees, he reached out his hand, as if to bid me ferewell.
** * I cannot go,' (said I,) ' until I attempt to thank you, wluch I do with my
whole hearty for your long and unvarying kindness to me. You have been to me
the best and most valued of earthly friends.'
" * You must thank God for that' (said he, quickly); 'all kindness and all
friends are his gifts. Give my love to your wife and diildren.'
<' The last sentence he repeated when I had reached the door, and very slowly,
as if he were very loath to have me leave him.
" ' Give my love and a Yerj afiectionate ferewell to your wife and children.' "
'' As I walked away flrom the house, I could not repress my tears, and a sense
of utter desolation came over me fer a little while, as I thought that I had pro-
bably received the last words of afibctionate counsel firom that beloved and ven-
erated friend to whom I had been accustomed to resort, and on whose counsels I
had been accustomed to rely, as on those of no other man on earth. But soon my
feelings grew calmer. I felt that I had been breathing aa atmosphere redolent
Vol. ni. 79
626 PBESBTTBRIAN.
with the Tory fragnmoe of HMTen. iTfae room thU I had bit seemed to haTs
been perfumed with holy oompoenre and immorable oonfidenoe in a glorified
bat preaent Redeemer. Aa I reflected npon the aoene, I gabled new Tiewa of
liibi of deathi and of Heaten. I felt, as I had neyer felt before, how ' sure and
steadfest ' is that anchor of Gospel hope which ' entereth into that within the
Tell.' I ooold not help asking mjself, — ' Is it possible to die so? Does the Lord
Jesns giye his people such complete and qoiet victories oyer the grim King of
Terrors ?' There was nothing excited, nothiog exultant; and yet it seemed to
be thoroughly triumphant; a calm, beUeying, cheerM looking through the
gloomy grave into the glories of the eternal world. It was the steady, nnfelter-
ing step of a genuine Christian philosopher, as well as an eminent saint, evincing
his own thorough, heartfelt and practical belief in the doctrines he had so long
and so aUy preached, as he descended into the dark vaUey and shadow of death.
And I could not help praying, as I had never prayed before, — * Let me die the
death of the righteous, and let my last end be like lids!' **
On Thursday, the 23d of October, 1851, Dr. Alexander's precious remains were
deposited in the cemetery at Princeton, made venerable by the ashes of the many
great and good which there await the Besurrection mom. It was a scene never
to be forgotten. Just as an unclouded sun was sinking to the Western horiaon,
a group was gathered around his open grave, such as had seldom been gathered
in one spot in any part of our land. There were the students and Faculty of the
Oollege of New Jersey, and those of the Theological Seminary, the entire Synod
of New Jersey, and many members of the Synods of New Tork and Philadelphia,
besides a crowd of other spectators, a numerous company of Qod's ministers and
people, all feeling that a great man in Israel had feUen.
Bver most respectfoUy yours,
WILLL^LM BDWARD SOHEVOK.
JOHN POAGE CAMPBELL, M. D.»
1792—1814.
John PoAaxt Oaxpbxll, a son of Robert OampbeU, was bom in
Augusta County, Ya., in the year 1767. In 1781, when abottt fourteen
years of age, he removed to Kentucky with his father, who settled first in
Lexington, and afterwards in Mason Oounty, where he became an elder in
the Smyrna Qhoroh. He was a descendant, on the mother's side, of the
Ofilebrated Scottish divine, Samuel ButheTford,-*-pne of the members of the
Westminster Assembly, and author of the work well known as "Buther-
ford^s Letters." In Us early youth, he gave evidenoe of uncommon talents,
which led his father, notwithstanding he was in moderate oiroumstanoes, to
resolve on giving him a liberal education ; and, after studying some time
with Messrs. Hamilton and MoPheeters in Rockbridge, and afterwards with
Mr. BsBkint in Lexington, he was entered as a pupil in the Transylvania
• Dftridion*! Hilt. Pnsb. Olr., 1^.— Vooto'i SketohM of Ya., Sd 8eri«f.
t Hf took the namo of Poag; tm a niomorial of a boiom fHond and ooiuiootioii hy manlafak
who dlod about tho timo of hia aotHoniMit la the mlniitiy.
^ Adam Bakkiii waa born, March M, I7ft6, near Qreenoaitle, Pa.,— hii aaoeeton baring
earigratedfrem Ireland, and at a more remote period, from SooUand. At the age of dgbteen.
be beeame hopeftilly ploai, and tbmUj after eommenead the itod^ of the Jannagei, at Mr.
Orahaa*! Aeademy tti Y iiglnla. Haring been prerented from entering the Oollege of Nov
Jeiwybyttibetaglnpo— ionof theRitlah troopi, and barikig loet a yWi •ta47^dM-
JOHN FOAOS CAMPBELL. 5^7
grammar sohool, mider the oare of Mr. Bioe. He subaeqnentlj studied
with Mr. Archibald 800U, in his natiye county ; and, at the age of nine-
teen, was himself Preceptor of an Academy at Williamsburg, N. 0. Here
he imbibed infidel opinions, but, not long after, renounced them in conse-
quence of reading Soame Jenyns' Treatbe on the internal evidences of
OhrisUanity. And he was not only a speculatiye but practical conyert ; and
though he had before engaged in Uie study of medicine, he now resolved on
giving himself to the work of the ministry. He graduated at Hampden
Sidney OoUege in 1790. He prosecuted liis theological studies, first under
the Bev. William Graham, and afterwards under the Bev. Br. Moses Hoge,
then of Shepherdstown ; and was licensed to preach in May, 1792. So
acceptable was he as a preacher that he was immediately associated with his
theologioal teacher, Mr. Graham, as 'Oolleague Pastor of Lexington, Oxford,
New Monmouth, and Timber Bidge, Congregations. He continued, how-
ever, in this relation but a short time, by reason, it has been sud, of ** some
of those jealousies and partisanships which are not uncommon in collegiate
charges."
In 1795, he went to reside in Kentucky, and first took the pastoral chaige
of the Churches of Smyrna and Flemingsburg, in Fleming County. He
afterwards exercised his ministry in Danv^e, Nicholasville, Cherry Spring,
Versailles, Lexington^ and Chilioothe; and in 1811, he officiated as Chap-
lain to the Legislature. His salaxy was altogether inadequate to the sup-
port of his fiimily ; so that they were actually sometimes in a state of abjeet
want. With a view to remedy this evil in some degree, he took up the
practice of medicine. One of his friends, hearing the fact misrepresented,
and being informed that he had given up his profession with a view to enter-
ing political life, wrote him a letter of expostulation ; which drew from Dr.
Campbell an honest statement of the case, including also the necessity whioh
had dictated the measure.
Dr. Campbell died near Chilicothe, November 4, 1814, at the age of forty-
seven. His death was occasioned by exposure while he was preaching. He
had great tranquillity in his last hours, and expressed the utmost confidence
in the truth of the doctrines which he had preached.
genmi ffloca, he fafaMqaently poiaeated lili itadlei UDdflr the Ser. Andiibald Soott, of tbe
HftnoTW PN^l^teiy, and oompletod bis oovm at Liberty HmU» aboat the yesr 1T80. On tlM
S6U1 of Ootober, 1782, he wai lioensed to preach hy the HaooTer VnaMtry. He ieeei?ed
three oaUa ftom the neigfaboarfaoodi of Holfteiii and Kolaehnekej, but dedined them on aooonnl
of difpntea on the inl^eot of PaJmody; and the next year he visited Eentae^, and reoeMur
a eali firom Lexiogton, remored thither with hli fhmfly in 1784, and ahortty after opened
a lehool. Hia oifoaikion to dnging any other than Sooae'i Tertion of the Pnlmi aeena
to hare beeome a aort of monomanias and in 1792, after harlojr been inrolTed In M-
tnoted dlAoaltiei growine ont of thii oppofttlon, he weeded from the msbyteriaQ Commnmoo,
and joined the Aasoeiate Aefoimed Ohnroh. Bat in thia eonneetion he waa not mom hapoy
than he had been In the other; for hia pngnaeioni propenaltlea broagfat on at laat a JndleU
iuTeatigation, and a CommiwJon of the General Synod, of whieh Pr. J. If. Maaon waa one,
were deputed to alt in Lezinston npon the eaae. llionsh Mr. Baokin dedlned their jnrladle-
tion, the trial prooeeded, and he waa loapeoded teem toe ofBoe of the miniatn^ on the ohaisa
of ** lying and dandering hia brethren.'* Bnt he reftaaed to reapeot the deelrion, and he and
hia ooDgrecation became Independent. He feema to haTC been pre-eminently a Tictim to ftaa-
tical impniiea. Blther firom a dream, or flrom the study of the prophecies, or perhaps from
both, he became impressed with the idea that the time for reboildlng the Holy City was at hand,
and he took a solemn A^ewell of his flook, and set off on a journey to Jerqsalem.t but died on
the way, in Philadelphia, November 25, 1827, aged scTenty-two Mrs. He published sCTenil
things, the most important of which was " DialMiies pleasant and intercfting fm the €k»f«m-*
ment of the Church,*' designed as an Answer to Or. llason's " Flea for C4t|ioIie 0Mnminiion.*>
His writings eWnce conddezable talenl^bnt are greatiy lacking in the Ohrlstlkn s^t. I^oU
withstanding the ftixy of hispdeBiic seal, h^ is saldtolbaTO been amJaUe in his prtrmta rsto-
tlons^ and to haTc possessed m ahi|^ degree the aifeoticBi of his people. . >
628 PBESBmiOAK.
Vr. Oampbell was married tlnee times. His fiist wife was a IBss Oraw-
bii of Virginia; his second a Hiss Poage of Kentaoky; his tbird a
danghter of Ool. James McDowell, of Lexington. His last wife snrviTed
Mm scTcral years, and died in 1888, in the Ticinity of MaysviUe, nnder
peonliarly distressing cironmstances. She had hecome entirely deaf and
quite infirm ; and, being left alone for a few minntes, her clothes took fire.
Her danghter instantly ran to her rescue, but the attempt proved worse
than abortive ; for boA mother and daughter were burnt to death. Dr.
Oampbell, on his demise, left behind him a &mily of nine children.
The College of New Jersey was about to confer on him the degree of
Doctor of Divinity, when death prevented the intended honour.
Dr. Oampbell was an accomplished scholar and an elegant writer. Few,
if any, of his day, especially in the part of the country where he resided,
^oke so frequently or so effectively as he, through the press. The follow-
ing is a list of his publications : —
A Sermon on Sacred Music, 1797. The Passenger, 1804. Strictures
<m Stone*s Letters on the Atonement, 1805. Yindex : or the doctrine of
the Strictures vindicated, 1806. Essays on Justification. An installation
Sermon, 1809. Letters to the Rev. Mr. Oraighead, 1810. A Sermon on
Ohristian Baptism, 1810. The Pelagian detected: a Reply to Mr. Oraig-
head, 1811. Letters' to a gentleman of the Bar, published in the Evan-
gelical Record, 1812. An Answer to Jones, and Review of Robinson*s
EBstory of Baptism, 1812. A Sermon preadied on the opemng of the
Synod, 1812.
In the year 1812, while I was a member of Yale Oollege, Dr. Oampbell
visited Oonneotiout, and passed a few days in New Haven. Dr. Dwight,
contrary to his ordinaiy practice, asked him to preach in the Oollege cha-
pel; and I have now, at the distance of thirty-eight years, a perfectly dis-
Unot recollection of his appearance and manner, and to some extent, of his
sermon. He was tall and slender in person, of a strongly marked counto-
naace, but rather pale complexion, and altogether more than commonly
attractive in his appearance. He preached without notes, and apparently
extempore, but was graceful and animated in his delivery. His sermon, as
I now remember it, was designed to show the harmony of true Philosophy
with Ohristianity ; and the subject seemed to have been chosen with special
reference to the character of his audience. I am confirmed in the impres-
sion that it was no ordinary performance by the fact that I have, in latter
years, found a number of persons who remember it, and whose recollections
fiilly agree with my own estimate of its merits. Dr. Dwight expressed great
satisfaction in making Dr. Oampbell's acquuntance, and spoke of him as a
remarkably aocomplidied soholMr and divine.
FROK THE HON. 0. S. TODD,
AXBASSADOB ntOM THB VJOIMD STATU fO KOBBLL.
KsAB Shxlbtvilu, Kj., 0th October, 1849.
fiev. and dear Sir: I had known Dr. Campbell in my youth; but my acquaint-
ance with him was more marked and intimate in the summer of 1814, during
the period I was stationed at OhUioothe, 0., as the Adjutant and Inspector-Gen-
eral of the Western army. Such was the feebleness of the church, and the
tow standard of religion, at that boisterous period of public affairs, that this
JOHN POAGE CAMPBELL. 629
eminent diyine was under the necessity to practise medicine in connection with
his clerical duties. It was my good fbrtuue to enjoy his society, and to be per-
mitted to profit by the rich stores of intelligenoo with which his fertile and col-
tiTSted mind abounded. His intercourse with me was uureseryed, and I was
impressed with intense admiration^ as well by the fine qualities of his heart and
the fascination of his colloquial powers, as by the splendour of his eloquence in
the pulpit. In the estimate of his character as a pnlpit orator, my subsequent
acquaintance with Dr. Archibald Alexander, and the late Dr. John Brecken-
ridge, leads me to say that Dr. Campbell combined many of the excellencies of
each; especially the simplicity and Yigour of the former with the energy and
affectionate pathos of the latter. I think I have rarely, if ever, heard a preacher
whose discourses were so profoand, and at the same time so chaste and elegant,
as those of Br, Campbell; and this is the more creditable to hun, as the congre-
gation he addressed was of sach a mixed character in a new country as might
be expected to lead the preacher to some degree of carelessness in the style,
arrangement, and general execution, of his discourses.
I was greatly delighted by the reference which he once made to sundry letters
he had addressed to that gifted, though eccentric, orator. Col. Joseph Hamilton
Daviess, who fell at Tippecanoe. This distinguished lawyer was touched with
the prevailing Deism of that day, and Dr. Campbell exerted his great genius and
acquirements for the purpose of impressing him with proper notions in reference
to the Christian religion. Dr. C. was a correspondent of my sister-in-law, the
late Mrs. McDowell, and eldest daughter of Governor Shelby, a lady of uncom-
mon mind and attainments; and it will be difficult for me to give you a better
idea of his fine powers and exalted character than by sending you one of the
letters he addressed to her.
I am, as ever, yours in Christian bonds,
0. S. TODD.
MATTHEW LTLE.
1792—1827.
PROM THE BEY. DRUBY LACY, D. D.
Ralxioh, N. C, 22d June, 1868.
Bev. and dear Sir: I resided in the same neighbourhood with the Rev.
Matthew Lyle many years ; but was so young, and so little observant of
men and manners, that I should be disposed to distrust my early impres-
sions of his life and character, did I not enjoy the advantage of having
them confirmed by one who knew him intimately, from early life. Having
occasion lately to revisit the old neighbourhood in which he lived, and
laboured, and died, I made known your wishes to a surviving member of
the &mily, who kindly furnished me a letter of sympathy and condolence
from the late venerable Dr. Alexander to Mrs. Lyle, on the decease of her
husband, — an extract from which I shall take the liberty to subjoin to this
communication. Whilst in the neighbourhood, I collected the following
foots oonceming him, which perhaps may suffice as an outline of the history
of his life.
Matthsw Lyls was bom in what was then Augusta County, in Yir*
ginia, but is now Bockbridge — in that part of the County, called Timber
030 PBESB7TERIAN.
Bidge, on the 2l8t of October, 1767. He wm the* boq of James Lyle,
who was a respeotable &rmer, and of Hannah, hia wife, who was a dangh"
ter of Archibald Alexander, one of the first and most highly esteemed
settlers of this part of Yirgmia. Matthew was the second son of his
parents, and, as the Rev. John Brown was the Pastor of Timber Bidge
Congregation when he was bom, there can be no doubt that he was baptiied
by him.
In his youth, he was reckoned a yery steady boy, and was of a very kind
and friendly disposition. Until he was grown up, he received no other than
an English education, and was occupied with his brothers on his father's
farm; but when he was about eighteen years of ago, he commenced his
classical learning, and, possessing a good capacity and perscTcring diligence,
he made rapid progress ; and in a shorter time than usual became a respec-
table scholar. But whilst at Liberty Hall, (now Washington OoUege,) he
fell into the company of some dissipated and immoral young men, whose
influence upon him was yery pernicious. For some years he lived an irre-
ligious and irregular life. But when the great revival, which spread over
so large a part of Virginia in 1789, reached Bookbridge, he was among
the first who were seriously impressed. His convictions were deep and
pungent, and he did not remain long in this state before he found relief by
believing in the Lord Jesus Christ ; and the hope and comfort which he
now received, remained with him till his dying day. But he was never dis-
posed to say much about his own private exercises ; and he has lefi no jour^
nal or diary, from which any thing can be learned on this subject. His
piety was deep and solid ; and no man wss more regular and conscientious
iq attendance on all religious duties, private and public. His life was uni-
form and consistent; and he always took a deep interest in every thing
which was connected with ihe advancement and enlargement of the Church
of Christ.
After going through a course of theological study, under the direction of
the Bev. William Graham, he put himself under the care of the Presbytery
of Lexington ; and, having passed through all the usual trials preparatory
to the work of the ministry, was licensed to preach the Gospel on the 28th
of April, 1792. For about two years, he was engaged in missionary
labours, both in the Northeastern and Southwestern part of Virginia.
He was sent several times into the Northern Neck, where his labours
wore highly appreciated by the people, especially in the County of Lan-
caster.
On the 6th of March, 1794, he was married to Sarah Lyle, the youngest
daughter of Samuel Lyle, Esq., a man of uncommon worth and extensiye
reading. Soon after his marriage, he visited Prince Edward County, and,
having received a call, on the 4th of October, 1794, from the Congregation
of Briery for one half of his labours, and from the Congregation of Buffido
for the other half, he accepted the same, and was ordained as Pastor of
these two Churches by the Presbytery of Hanoyer, shortly after. The
late Bev. Archibald Alexander, D. D., of Princeton, was his colleague in
Briery. Here he remained in the unremitted and fiuthful exercise of his
ministry for thirty-three years. Burbg this whole period, until within a
few wedcs of his death, he was seldom prevented from taking his place in
the pulpit. His decease occurred on the 22d of March, 1827, when he had
reached his sixtieth year. Although he had been indisposed for some time
KATTHEW LYLE. g^X
yet his departure might be said to be eodden, as he had been soaroely at all
oonfined to his bed. On this aboonnt, his friends wisre deprived of the
privilege of hearing from him the views which he entertained of death,
when that awfiil but honest hoar had arrived.
As a man, Mr. Lyle was bj natare endowed with a sonnd, discriminating
mind, and was possessed of inflexible firmness and great energy and decis-
ion of character. Honesty was the very teitnre of his soul. To deceit
and flattery he was a perfect stranger. If he entertuned an. ill opbion of
any person, he never attempted to conceal it. This was not the way to
conciliate every body, but was the way to keep a good conscience. No
man ever called his sincerity in question. His friendships, too, were
select, bnt fiuithful and lasting. The utmost dependance could be placed
on hb prudence, secrecy, and fidelity. In domestic life, he was affection-
ate and uniformly indulgent; as a neighbour, peaceable, kind and oblig-
ing.
But he appeared to the greatest advantage in the pulpit. His sermons
were remarkable for clearness, conciseness, and energy; aod they were
always truly evangelioal. By some judicious hearers he was preferred to
all other preachers. He was, perhaps, never known to deliver an indiffer-
ent sermon ; nor did he ever &11 into confusion or embarrassment. He uni-
formly preached without notes, — rarely, if ever, taking even a skeleton of a
sermon with him into the pulpit. The only faults which were ever found
with his preaching were a want of sufficient variety, and a want of persua-
sive tenderness'; but no one preacher ever possessed every kind of excel-
lence.
In social intercourse, Hr. Lyle had a benignity of manner, and a lively
pleasantness of remark, accompanied with sallies of wit, which rendered
him an exceedingly agreeable compauion, when surrounded by friends in
whom he had confidence. His departure left a wide chasm in the society
of which he was so long the guide and ornament.
The following is the extract from Dr. Alexander's letter, above referred
to:—
« I have not, for a long time, been so much affected with the departure
of any friend ; for although I heard from time to Ume that he was sick, yet
I never conceived that his sickness was unto death. I never dreamed that
I phould see his face no more in the land of the living. Many a time we
took sweet counsel together, and always our intercourse was of the most
cordial kind. He was my earliest friend — when, a small boy, I was sent
to board at his father's, to go to school, he took me under his special pro-
tection. He never fiuled to defend me when I was assaulted by larger boys,
and from that day to the day of his death, he acted the part of a sincere
friend. Indeed, I nerer knew a man who was more incapable of iusin-
cerity. As he feared no man, so he never assumed an appearance of attach-
ment which he did not feel. Since his conversion to Ghod^ his course has
been uniformly steady and consistent. He did not serve his Divine Master
by fits^ but tdways. And I need not say to you, how attentire he was to
aU the duties of religion, even the most secret. He was never very com-
municatiye of his religious experiences and feelings, which arose in part
from the natural reserve of his temper, and more, I believe, from deep
humility ; but I have reason to think that, during life, he cherished uni-
formly a lively hope of the Divine fiEiyour. I have no doubt that hb soul
632 PRESBTTERIAK.
b at rest, and that he now beholds without a mist, the glory of Gk)d in the
face of Jesus Christ. As a preacher, his oonstant endeavour was to be
faithful in deUvering the message of God, and with him the trumpet of the
Gospel never gave an uncertain sound."
With great respect, very truly,
Your sincere fnend and brother,
DRUBY LAOY.
^x ^^ 0
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